Hides

A well-made hide has two functions:

· to screen the Guns from the incoming duck

· if possible to indicate unsafe angles of fire

Even if the hides are carefully sited - with `safety posts' on either side - this should not stop the host telling his guests exactly where they may or may not fire, particularly at a morning flight.

When making hides the following features should be considered.

Size- This is governed by the ability to reload quickly without feeling cramped or knocking the barrels of the gun when doing so. To achieve this would need a hide 6 ft. square, but this would be too large to screen the Gun adequately. The usual compromise is 6 ft. X 4 ft. with the long side facing the water.

Height- Visiting Guns come in all shapes and sizes. It is probably best to cater for the shortest guest - adding a light trimming of greenery along the top. A short man can remove it, and a tall one leave it in place. 4 ft. 6 in. is about right for the minimum height. The top can be 'castigated' to indicate the direction of neighbouring hides.

Construction- If the minimum height is to be 4 ft. 6in. the framework (3 X 2 in.) should only be 4 ft. high. The frame should be covered by reeds or straw sandwiched between two pieces of large mesh netting (such as sheep netting). A permanent growing screen of privet or Lonicera can then be planted around the outside.

Footing- Constant use can turn the floor into a slippery quagmire, making it difficult or dangerous for the occupant. A slatted wooden floor (Duckboards to most of us!) is ideal, preferably covered with 1-in. mesh wire netting to give a good grip. A bed of dried bracken, brushwood, heather or other litter is sometimes put down fresh on the day of the shoot. The dogs certainly appreciate it.

Roofs- Some shooters favour roofing in part of the hide, so that they can stay hidden while duck are circling. But this is not necessary if a Gun stays absolutely still and is properly dressed. It can also make it difficult to hear properly, and all good duck-shooters use their hearing to the full. Further, it pre-supposes that the duck will always approach from one direction. This is not always so - particularly in the case of teal.

Growing hides- These are best of all: privet or a thick wall of willow, carefully trimmed over the years, make ideal hides. Other suitable species are cypress, Lonicera, laurel or spruce.

It takes time for them to bush up but if they are planted when the hide is finally sited, they usually grow sufficiently to cover the original framework before the initial reed-covering rots away.

Quite good hides can often be made by cutting out clearings in any evergreens that there may be near the water's edge. Rhododendron and laurel lend themselves well to this treatment. Dummies should always be put in the hides when they are not in use, to get the duck accustomed to seeing them occupied. Nothing elaborate is needed -just a sack of straw on a pole.

A number of refinements will suggest themselves to individual shooters, depending on the degree of comfort they require. For example, a ledge for cartridges or a torch will be appreciated and, for some dogs, a strong hook is desirable!

 To the owners page.