Gun Chocks et cetera for Blinds

Steve Sanford

Well-known member
All~


Inspired by Eric's wonderful blind projects, here are some ideas for some details which make things a bit safer and more convenient in my blinds.


I like to have barrel rests on the forward wall of my blinds so that guns can rest there securely with less danger of falling sideways.


Here is an overview. The top board keeps weather off the shelf below. It has cutouts to hold the barrels of the longer fowling pieces - the autoloaders and pumps. The shelf holds boxes of shells, gloves, coffee and other loose items.


About those rocks..... Some might think that NY's recent firearms laws have reduced us to such primitive weapons. Actually, we use them for ducks that sneak and and need to be flushed. We toss them - we hope - out near sitting ducks so that a loud and big splash will encourage flight.



Barrel Rest and Shelf - overview.jpg



The upper rests are simple cutouts. The lumber is a soft White Pine - so I see no need for adding any cushioning - but weatherstripping would certainly do the trick if needed.


Barrel Rest - upper.jpg



The shelf has a lip - a "fiddle" if were on a big boat - so I added chocks - 3 for this 8-foot, 3-man blind, each below the upper cutouts.



Barrel Rest and Shelf with rock.JPG



Here it is up close.


Barrel Rest  Lower and Shelf.JPG



Another feature is my "thatch rail" on the rooftop. It serves 2 purposes. First, it has big "slots" so I can jam branches in them to hide the blind and its opening. I typically use boughs from White Pine, Beech and Red Oak. They all hold their needles/leaves throughout the season.


The second function is to stiffen the 1/2" plywood roof. I made the rail from 5/4 Pine. Screwed from below into each space, it provides longitudinal stiffening.



Blind Top with Rails.JPG



Here's a view from the blind. That's all Duckweed floating on Home Pond. Much of it will disappear as the weather chills and the trees color up. We open about 2 months from now.


Home Pond from Blind.JPG



Another thing I've added to both boats and blinds are shell holders.


9 Shell Rack - post.jpg



I built this one into the shelves' "fiddles" on a Scooter a couple of years back:


B stowed gear.JPG



I just now took the blind photos above. Here are some of our hay fields on the drive back to the house. Recent rains have halted our drought and all is now lush hereabouts.



Farm over Gannon Road from Northwest.JPG



All the best,


SJS




 
Steve

Some really neat ideas in your post. Next weekend I'll be back out there working on the blinds and am going to see just what I can do to improve their hunt-ability and convenience. Thanks for the suggestions and taking the time to add pictures. Very helpful.

Eric
 
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