These are some of my observations and reviews of the duck and goose hunting blinds at Ridgefield NWR.
Start by downloading the map.
Also check the 2018-2019 Season Harvest Summary compiled by refuge personnel. The refuge was closed nearly all of January.
1. Pit blind facing west, with lean-to cover to prevent shooting east. Can be good for geese. Lots of shovelers here and some teal. Shorter, dry walk. Gets better later in the season. Full review…
1a. Handicapped box blind facing southwest. I’ve not hunted this one. Basically you can drive up to this blind. Full review …
2. Pit blind with no cover. Lots of water so prepare to get ducks’ attention with jerk rig or wind duck. Not a consistent producer, except in 2018-2019 when it became one of the hottest blinds. Swampy walk, deep channel to right of the blind about 60-70 yards out. Leave the slough to the right of the blind free of decoys and get some quality passing shots on transiting ducks. Full review …
3. Box blind facing East. Shorter walk with some in flooded woods, be careful of fallen trees and submerged stumps and grass clumps! If you’ve got mobility issues and no dog, this might be one to avoid. More info with photos …
4. Pit blind with lean-to cover to prevent shooting east – it faces west. It was moved in 2015 and blind was re-positioned in 2016 and had been a poor producer. I hunted it during the 2029-2020 opener and it seems to have recovered. Could be OK for geese. Full review with photos …
5. Pit blind with no cover on island. Water (for Ridgefield) all around but getting choked with vegetation. Water can get chest high here. Great blind with consistent numbers of mixed birds. More info …
6. Pit blind with no cover on shore. The lake on this blind was scraped in 2015 and it has recovered and is attracting a lot of mixed birds now. Fill pond with decoys upwind and leave lots of space in front. If you’re a good pass shooter you should do well here. More info with photos …
7. Box blind facing south or you can choose a pit in the field if targeting geese. Usually one of the worst performers. I’ve not hunted it.
8. Box blind facing southwest. Easy walk, but lots of competition from 5, 9, and 12. Never hunted here, but seems to be a favorite among the other local hunters.
9. Box blind facing east-northeast. Great for a south wind. Easy walk except for the last 30 yards, which is a slippery walk with lots of submerged trip hazards. Water can be deep around the blind. Great location in the middle of patchy, reedy water. Pintail and shovelers like it. Full review with photos …
10. Box blind facing south. Two pools left and right of the blind attract birds – the one on the right is easier to set up. Harder to get them into water in front of the blind. Great for windy days and you can get some geese here.
11. Box blind facing northwest and tucked back in a corner. Never hunted it. Not a consistent performer but geese flyovers can present opportunity.
12. Pit blind with no cover. Sits on point with water on three sides. Big water to the north can pull birds away from the blind. I’ve had good days here and some really bad days but this blind is a consistent performer, especially early season. Geese generally get shot at before they get to this blind.
13. Box blind facing southwest. Similar to 9. Tough walk-in (the refuge supplies a small boat) but pulls a lot of pintail and shovelers. Instead of taking bridge, walk straight into water and out to blind.
13a. Box blind facing west. Longer walk, but worth it for pintails. Big pool in front but set up decoys far out to deny birds the back side of pond. Good for goose flyovers. One of my favorites. Full review …
14. Box blind facing north. Easy walk, lots of water, out of the weather and not looking into the sun. Has competition from surrounding blinds but lots of open water and flexibility in decoy set-ups. You can miss on passing shots as many birds approach from the south and fly right by the blind before you can shoot. Full review …
15. Pit blind in non-flooded field. Goose blind. Good for geese in the afternoon as geese are returning from river.
16. Box blind facing north. Deep water, not good for shorter hunters. Lots of water, but birds like to hit the pool to the left (east) so leave some openings for them. Birds can approach from south so you can miss on some passing shots. Full review …
17. Pit blind with no cover facing north. Short walk. Consistent performer with patchy water. When water is up, use a lot of decoys. Good numbers early in the season, tapering off later in the season. Review …
18. Pit blind with no cover facing east. Watch for low water early in the season. I’ve had some good hunts here. Good goose opportunities. Full review …
19. Box blind facing south southeast. Long walk. Farthest southern blind. Channel in front with pool to right and left and water behind. Watch for where birds want to be that day and change as needed. Can pull great numbers. Shoot a limit of buffleheads if you like that sort of thing. Good goose opportunities, but watch for duskies on this side of the refuge. Review …
Hunting Log