Building a Homemade Boat Blind

• The design process for a homemade boat blind will vary a great deal depending on the duck boat with which the blind will be used. The blind will attach to the boat and extend above the boat, effectively hiding the hunter from the view of the ducks or waterfowl. Methods of attaching the frame work to the boat will vary with the materials and design of the boat.
  
  The materials used for the blind framework can vary, but electrical conduit is commonly used. Conduit is light and affordable and requires only a few hand tools to assemble. The framework will basically create a cube around the passenger-carrying space of the duck boat. It should extend high enough above the seating area of the duck boat to hide the hunters effectively, but still provide the ability to raise and swing guns in pursuit of the game.
  
  Once the framework is constructed, it needs to be covered. There are several forms of camouflage cloth available. Many are rough cloth similar to burlap and imprinted with a leaf or tree-branch pattern. Ideally, a pattern used in the camouflage of a duck boat would look similar to the natural materials found around the lake or pond.
  
  Hunters can add natural materials--cut cattails, grass or brush--to the exterior of the homemade boat blind. This not only makes the blind look more like the surrounding area but can be used to break up the straight lines and boxy appearance of the duck boat and blind.
  
  The covering material for the blind is usually removed for transportation. It simply is not durable enough to stand up to the wind effects of hauling the duck boat on a trailer or on the back of a truck. The blind framework can be permanently attached to the duck boat.
  
  The homemade duck blind will also need to allow for the operation of the duck boat. Gaps in the blind material may be necessary for the operation of any outboard engine or oars used to propel the boat to the hunting area.
  
  Hunters using duck boats should always make sure adequate personal flotation devices are available in case the duck boat tips or capsizes.