Setting up a blind in a public area?

Do any of you guys and gals do this? I've seen a bunch of nice, but wild, waterfowl around public nature areas that I could get some nice shots of if they weren't so skiddish!! How would you go about doing this? Is a blind too much?

Thanks!!

I use a blind very often and it has indeed lead to some awkward social situations. People walk up to the blind and look inside. Hunting types think you're hunting off-season and freak out. I have had blinds stolen. Currently I have two in the back seat of my car ready for use. With the exception of roosting owls, my very best static images have been obtained with a blind. The best case scenario I have come across is obtaining permission from a land owner to place a blind at a recurring perch or at a nesting site. In this case there is no concern with public curiosity and I can leave the blind in place.

Much like the telephoto lens, the blind seems to evoke feelings of distrust from the public. Too bad, I keep using mine and setting it up all over the countryside.

Scott

Some public areas, especially wildlife refuges and parks, may have restrictions or permitting requirements for blinds. Doesn't necessarily mean you can't do it, but you should probably check in with the managing agency beforehand. At the very least you'll get much better shots working undisturbed than you will get while standing outside your blind explaining your activities to curious people with badges.

Good comments on this.
I also have had people walk right up to the front and peer in, stepping right in front of my lens. incredibly stupid.

I sometimes tape a sign on the blind's sides : "Photographer" . Doesn't seem to help the "stupidity factor."


Sandy

Our community has a wildlife refuge within the city limits that includes paving walking/jogging/biking trails. Within the refuge there are several large ponds. There is a permanent wildlife viewing blind on one of the ponds accesed via a dirt trail that is open for all to use. It was constructed by a local boy scout troop as a public service project. It is right on water's edge and is about 10' w X 5' deep X 8' tall. There is a tall bench inside for viewing or people can stand and look through a open window that is about the height where most people can stand and rest thier elbows on a shelve and view through thier scope or camera at eye level. The outside looks a bit like a log cabin, but it is just planks from a lumber mill of the round portion of logs that are typically considered scrape material.

I could see a great Monty Python skit here.

You're BAD Mark, and I love it!!!

I can imagine domed portable blinds arrayed around some unsuspecting critter. Every time the critter moves, all the blinds grow legs and shuffle after it like giant mushrooms.

Anyone got a video camera and cooperating friends with blinds? It would be a classic on utube.

You guys are BOTH bad! You better not get together in a room or the whole world will be at risk for ribald humor. It could be worse than, gasp, NUNS ON BIKES!

Seriously, I think the advice given here is top notch, and I'd very much prefer to shoot on private property with the permission of the landowner than have to take my chances on populated stretches of public land.

Well, I had a long and stressfull day at work today and you guys made me laugh pretty hard. thanks.