For many waterfowl hunters, especially those who hunt over dry land areas or rice fields, a quality layout blind is as important as a good shotgun and shells. Not only do good layout blinds do the necessary job of concealing hunters from their overhead quarry, but they are also comfortable enough to allow an occasional snooze in when things get a little slow. (Don’t ask me how I know!)

Before looking at some top layout blind models, it’s important for hunting retailers to understand a little about these blinds and what hunters are looking for when shopping for them. First and foremost among the positive attributes is light weight. Face it, there’s already enough heavy equipment involved in duck, goose and crane hunting — think guns, shells and decoys — without adding a heavy layout blind to the load. Portability reigns supreme, so keep that in mind when stocking your shelves.

Another important factor is comfort. I’ve spent enough time in layout blinds to know that an uncomfortable one can lead to lots of extra aches and pains when it comes to bedtime. A good, padded seat is a must — and the more padded, the better.

Room is another critical factor in layout blinds. Hunters who are extra tall or extra wide appreciate extra room when in the field. And in most hunting situations, hunters need to store the rest of their equipment in their blind with them, too, so it’s not left lying out where ducks and geese can easily spot it upon their approach.

Lastly, a top-quality camouflage pattern ensures that waterfowl don’t look down and see something fishy among the decoys, then immediately head to the next county. Hunters’ preference on camo patterns is about as individual as their preference on what kind of truck is best, so be sure the inventory you keep on hand offers them at least a couple of different, popular choices. With that groundwork laid, let’s look at three layout blinds that just might help you bolster your bottom line this waterfowl season.

Beavertail Big Gunner Layout Blind

For avid waterfowl hunters who don’t mind spending extra cash for comfort and success in the field, the Beavertail Big Gunner Layout Blind might be just the perfect addition to your inventory. This is not your granddaddy’s tow sack, rather a high-quality, high-tech blind that should appeal to waterfowl hunters with fairly deep pockets.

The key feature to this blind is the lift-assist mechanism that helps the hunter pop up and be ready for the shot when waterfowl are within shotgun range. With an ergonomically contoured backrest, a hunter’s head and neck are supported during the entire hunt, lending hours of comfort in the field. Plus, the lift-assist backrest has two adjustments for a subtle lift or a big push — depending on the size, age and physical condition of the hunter — allowing him or her to get into position faster and concentrate on the shot when the time comes.

The Big Gunner is also quite roomy, suitable for hunters large and small. It is 92 inches long, 40 inches wide and 20 inches tall, leaving plenty of room for guns and gear. When collapsed, it measures 58 inches long, 40 inches wide and 7 inches tall. Weight is 26 pounds. Of course, that’s not as small as many blinds fold up to, nor as light in weight, but the lift-assist technology will likely overshadow the somewhat more difficult transport for many hunters.

Special features of the Big Gunner include a larger face and mesh area than many other layout blinds, interior shell holder loops and pouch, a zippered foot area for easy cleaning, sewn-in vegetation straps and a waterproof base. The frame is made of square aluminum tubing, and the exterior is 600 Denier polyester, which is both windproof and waterproof. The camouflage is Karma Wetland pattern. For more information, visit explorebeavertail.com.

Final Approach Eliminator

Final Approach was started in 1993 by an avid hunter who was just looking for a way to stay hidden while remaining comfortable. Now, the folks at Final Approach (FA) call the Eliminator “The first layout blind ever designed.” The original design of this classic style has been updated with enhanced materials for improved performance. Coated fabrics will keep hunters dry in the field and can withstand the abuse of any avid waterfowler. The full frame makes it comfortably roomy, with space for your customers’ gear. It weighs just 19.5 pounds and measures 36 inches wide, 85 inches long (more than 7 feet) and 18 inches high.

The exterior is sloped to prevent shadows, and FA includes the original Stubble Straps to hold vegetation. A zippered “clean-out” door at the feet lets hunters quickly remove debris from the blind, and the fast-access flagging holes let a goose hunter wave a flag without being spotted. A comfortable padded headrest and camouflage face mesh make the Eliminator comfortable — in fact, FA specifies on its website that “Final Approach assumes no responsibility for you taking a nap in this blind and missing the next flock!”

For more details, visit ameristep.com.

Alps Delta Waterfowl Zero Gravity

Alps Outdoorz was established in 2007 with the mission of developing affordable, performance-driven hunting gear. Since then, the company has made some of the finest backpacks available to hunters and other outdoor recreationists. It’s only normal that their layout blinds would be of similar, top quality.

The Alps Delta Waterfowl Zero Gravity layout blind falls between the Beavertail and Ameristep in price range — packing in lots of features and still priced low enough to draw the attention of waterfowlers with a variety of budgets. With no assembly required, the folks at Alps tout their Delta Waterfowl Zero Gravity blind as the most comfortable layout blind on the market.

The top selling point for the blind is the patent-pending zero-gravity chair design that keeps hunters up off the ground yet keeps a low profile to fool approaching waterfowl. The blind’s fabric body flares out on all sides to eliminate sharp corners for a more natural blend. To eliminate the need to clean it, the blind features a no-floor design, and backpack carry straps allow hunters to carry it into the field even with both hands filled with other gear.

Flared dimensions of the blind are 7 feet, 5 inches wide by 9 feet, 10 inches long, with a weight of 23.5 pounds. The cockpit has an opening that is 24 by 56 inches. Other interesting features of the Zero Gravity include two side gear pockets for plenty of storage, zippered flag doors, stubble straps throughout for better concealment, heavy-duty thread stakes for use on frozen terrain and a padded headrest. The blind is available in tan, Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Habitat and Realtree MAX-5. For more information, visit alpsoutdoorz.com.