A Blind Bag for Every Occasion

From the outside looking in, hunting waterfowl can sometimes appear like a cut and dry task. You go out, set your decoys, sit in the blind and wait. But that doesn’t negate the need for some forethought into the gear that we bring with us. Scenarios in waterfowl hunting can change on a dime, but most are decided before you ever leave the house. The hunting blind bag that you choose to bring on any given day says a lot about the style of hunting you are about to undertake. To be covered in any scenario, it is best to have a couple of options in your repertoire that can address any situation you might find yourself heading out in.

The Minimalist

Waterfowl hunting isn’t always about excess and sometimes there is a need to dial back on the gear you carry into the field. This could be because you are hunting from a layout (no thanks) or another smaller blind, you are hunting with a big group and therefore need to conserve as much square footage in the blind as possible, or you are hunting an area that limits the amount of shells you can bring. Whatever the case may be, in these types of scenarios there is one style of bag that works best and that is a minimalist blind bag.

Most minimalist bags were originally designed for layout hunting and are more equated as a purse for waterfowl hunters. They are small and usually have a sling attached to them similar to a messenger bag. With their zippered top construction, it makes it easy to grab gear without having to fumble around through multiple pockets. This doesn’t mean that they don’t come with some built in organization though. Sure you can get simple bags that just have one main opening, but there are plenty of minimalistic options available that still offer compartments for storing all kinds of specialized pieces including sunglasses.

The Tree Hugger

If you have spent any time hunting on the edges of standing water or wading through knee deep marshes, then chances are you know all about the tree hugger. These hunting blind bags were purpose built for the hardcore Arkansas timber hunter where dry land is a scarcity. In situations where you find yourself standing in any depth of water, having a bag that can stay high and dry is a necessity.

Tree hugger bags come with multiple straps that allow you to attach them to standing trees near your hunting hole. These can be very simple, with some offering only as much as a carabiner, to others sporting adjustable belts that make it easy to strap your bag to any tree, no matter the size. Another awesome feature that these bags have is the way in which they allow access to gear by utilizing some kind of internal organization that can hang down from the bag upon opening, making quick and easy work for pulling out shells or snacks.

The Trekker

If you are someone who likes to jump waterfowl or has a longer hike into their spot, then a small, lightweight backpack style blind bag is a must. Sure a layout blind bag would work in a pinch, but take it from me, there is nothing more annoying than having one of those bags bouncing off of your leg while you’re also trying to carry the rest of your gear. Realistically, just about any minimal style hiking backpack would do in this scenario, but having something that is tailored made for these hunting adds some extra comfort and tends to be better thought out in design.

If you’re looking for a backpack style blind bag, make sure you spend the extra time to evaluate whether or not the bag has a chest strap, hip strap, or both. The addition of one of these makes carrying a gear laden backpack over long distances so much more enjoyable. A bonus comes when you also have something that gives you quick access to the bag and gear on your back without having to fully take the bag off. Even though these bags are designed with weight reduction in mind you can still find plenty of options on the market that come with some pretty nice features.

Recap

Whether you are packing for a day hunt, a dry field sit, wading through knee deep sloughs, or paddling down a creek, having the right bag with you is a blessing. You don’t want to be digging through a bag that offers zero organization, but it also isn’t always helpful to have one with storage for days. Take the time to evaluate not only what the weather might be like for the day, but also what style of hunting you are planning on doing. This will help you pick the perfect bag for every hunt and never leave you regretting an easy decision again.

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