Holy Smokes!

[neilinov]

We just dug in a new sunken blind this weekend and all I can say is sheeeeiitttt that sucked. This one is on the convergence of two creeks and some big water. Hopefully this will produce some this year. Last year we had them pitching out on this point for half of the season. We used to have a blind out here, but haven't had one out there for a few seasons. We could see it from our blind, but couldn't get them to commit to our deke spread. They were always hittin the big water. Can't wait to try the new/old spot again.

[Deep C]

I have heard that you have to "lease" spots in Delaware? Is that correct? In Jersey we basically set up camp where we want as long as its legal. Most of my spots are species specific. One place is all buffleheads, another blacks, yet another mallards... Only one of my spots is anything goes.

Whats it like down there?

[neilinov]

My family owns a large piece of marsh land that we have a hunting shanty and blinds on. Most of the places in Delaware are private or lease lands. There are a few public blinds in the state parks, but they are hard to get with all the demand. You have to get there early or be lucky.

[Glenn W]

Are you capping the blind or plan on pumping it out each morning? What did you use for the blind-- homemade or fancy store bought?

[ADDfishing]

Duck hunting in DE is tough... There's just too many hunters for the space we have. That being said, you've gotta have some private spots, or you can go to state land and hope you get a good blind in a lottery draw, or you can hunt a sneak boat like I'm doing this year and hang on the edge of outlawing. DE only has a few first come, first serve areas, and they're on the way out. Too much tension at 4am and people don't play nice in the sandbox.

When I head up to Long Island, it's like a dream - Nobody hunts... The town of Southampton actually gives registered "spots" to hunters - and they're all yours as long as you use them. The only thing that I think is weird is that I actually take a change of clothes so I'm not wearing camoflauge stuff when we get lunch.

Our game wardens LOVE LOVE LOVE writing tickets. In NY, they wait at the ramp at dark only to make sure everyone gets back to the ramp safely - I've seen it three times in two seasons when I was hunting with my buddy. In DE, I don't even use public ramps - getting checked gets you tickets, no matter how dilligently you try to stay legal and legit.

My deer hunting lease backs up to a swampy creek bottom that flows even when the DE bay starts freezing up. Needless to say, the deer hunting lease turns into a "whatever is convenient" lease after the rut. I couldn't believe all the birds dropping in on me last winter. That place was a season saver for me. We'll see how the new boat works out this year.

Good luck to you Neil!

[BluePrints]

You dug a pit out there? Curious how you built it. Did you factor in the hydrostatic pressure? Or is this one of the rare sections of land that is a couple feet up.

Got a buddy that built one North of you on up the creek and it pops out of the marsh every year even w/ 6 Vlassic barrels in it.

[BluePrints]

Our game wardens LOVE LOVE LOVE writing tickets.

Only for you, buddy. Got to quit looking so shady.

[ADDfishing]

I guess I need to get get some "I LOVE GAMEWARDENS" t-shirts and camo hats made up or something.

Teach me how to look harmless Kyle...

[neilinov]

Glenn and Kyle:
It doesn't have a top on it we bush it high with grass and pump it out everyday with a bilge pump. We built it ourselves. It has a big base on it that is burried around the perimeter of the blind. This helps anchor it in place. In addition to that we don't waterproof it. This way, when the tide rises it just rises inside the blind and doesn't push it out of the ground with the hydralic pressure. The other one we have built around the corner is still there after 10 years. In this location we replaced an old blind. The old blind was one that sat on top of the marsh. Those ones usually only last a year or two before the storms or tide destroy them. This design we have seems to hold up the best I think because it allows the water to come in and out freely.

[BluePrints]

Sounds like that should work. Hope the new construction survives the flooding today.

The blacks were pitching in the median strip on my way to oc this morning. Water was over the bulkhead at IRM in front of the Judy V and G dock.