A good hide matters as much as the right decoys. You can have a perfect spread of 30 decoys in a faultless pattern, but if the birds see you, they will turn away. Below we go through how to choose, build and camouflage your hide for decoy hunting over crow, jackdaw, pigeon and goose.
Why the hide decides the hunt
Corvids are among the smartest birds we have. They learn quickly what is dangerous and can recognise people at long range. Geese are extremely wary, and pigeons will veer off at the slightest movement. What all these species have in common: you have to be completely hidden.
Three types of hide
1. The natural hide
The simplest and often the best option. Use whatever is already there on the ground:
- Hedgerow or scrub – ideal along field edges. Break up your outline with a few extra branches.
- Tree line or wood edge – stand back among the trees so you have a dark background behind you.
- Ditch bank – a natural dip where you can sit low.
The advantage is that this is the hide that disturbs the surroundings least, and it needs no extra equipment.
2. The portable hide
Bought hides in camouflage fabric or netting that you put up on site. They come in many forms:
- Pop-up hide – unfolds in seconds and is easy to move. Good for pigeon hunting where you need to change position.
- Chair hide – a seat with camouflage netting around it. Comfortable for long sits.
- Camouflage netting on poles – flexible, and can be shaped to the terrain.
3. The permanent hide
Fixed structures built from timber or bales. Most common for goose hunting on locations you return to. It requires the landowner's permission, but it gives excellent cover and comfort.
Placement – where it is won or lost
Choose with the wind
The basic rule: wind in your face. Birds land into the wind, so they will approach from your side – straight towards the hide. Read more in our guide to spread patterns.
Background matters more than the front
Many hunters focus on hiding the front of the hide but forget the background. A head against a bright sky is visible from hundreds of metres away. Make sure you have a dark, broken background – trees, bushes or an earth bank.
The position of the sun
Try to keep the sun behind you. The birds then have the sun in their eyes as they approach, which makes it harder for them to pick you out. You also avoid being dazzled when you shoot.
Camouflage – the details that decide
Clothing
- Colours that match the surroundings – green in deciduous woodland, brown on stubble fields, grey in a winter landscape.
- Face mask or camo paint – the face is the brightest and most mobile part of the body. Cover it.
- Gloves – pale hands that move will give you away fast.
Camouflage netting
A good net breaks up your outline and helps you blend in. Pick a colour that suits the season – green in summer, brown or grey in autumn and winter. Add natural material from the site itself: branches, grass, leaves.
Keep movement to a minimum
Movement is the biggest giveaway. When birds are within sight:
- Move only your eyes to follow the birds.
- Wait to raise the gun until the bird has swung past or has its attention on the decoys.
- Keep the gun ready in a comfortable rest position so you do not have to make large movements.
Hide tips by species
| Species | Best hide | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Crow | Natural (hedge, wood edge) | Overhead cover matters – crows like to watch from above |
| Jackdaw | Natural or pop-up | Jackdaws are slightly less wary than crows |
| Pigeon | Pop-up or hedgerow | Move if the flight line changes – being portable matters |
| Goose | Layout blind or ditch bank | Stay low – geese will spot you at long range |
Hide checklist
- ✅ Wind in your face or quartering from the side
- ✅ Dark background (not bare sky)
- ✅ Face mask and gloves
- ✅ Camouflage that matches the season and terrain
- ✅ Topped up with natural material from the site
- ✅ Comfortable – you need to be able to sit still for a long time
- ✅ Overhead cover for crow hunting
The combination is what works
The best results come when the hide, the spread and the right timing all work together. With the right placement and our silhouette decoys out in front of you, you build a spread that brings the birds straight in within range. See the full range here.
