That’s the centerpiece but there’s more.  The slide-lock setup uses no pins so your time is spent more efficiently preparing for the first fly-over of the day.  In this Beavertail Gunner layout blind review, we give you the details you need to effectively compare this layout blind to the others on your short list to consider.  Here are its main features.

Top Features of the Gunner Blind from Beavertail

Dimension in Inches: 88Lx34Wx20H.

Total weight without accessories: 24lbs.

Spring-loaded backrest made from rugged polyethylene.

1500 Denier waterproof base and 600 Denier water-resistant top.

Black aluminum frame is powder-coated for durability.

Mossy Oak camo finish.

Flagging holes and built-in vegetation straps offer secure convenience.

Interior storage for shells and gear.

Backpack straps for easier transporting.

Strengths of the Beavertail Gunner Blind

Hunters are going to want to try the spring-loaded backrest, and it certainly makes getting into position easier.  The action of the seat is very smooth and enhances your ability to rise and shoot effortlessly.  The padding in the headrest and seat is generous and will keep you comfortable all day.  The Mossy Oak Camo pattern works well in most field conditions, especially when accented with brush and stubble from your surroundings.  The backpack straps make this a very portable layout blind, even when your hike to the hunting spot is long.

Weaknesses of this Beavertail Layout Blind

The total weight is 24lbs, 4-6lbs more than comparable blinds and that can take its toll on a longer trek.  The 600 Denier polyester top is cause for some concern.  Most layout blinds use 900-1200 Denier on the top for tougher protection from stubble, branches, weather and wind.  Finally, the action of the spring-loaded backrest makes this a premium blind, no doubt, but it also pushes the price north to a place many hunters won’t want to go.  It’s pricey.

Who Should Consider the Beavertail Gunner Layout Blind?

Hunters who want a deluxe layout blind will be attracted to this one.  When the hunting is fast and furious, the spring-loaded functionality will come in handy.  In addition, any hunter who would normally have trouble rising into position will appreciate the assistance this one provides.

To begin with, we must separate out duck calls into single reed and double reed. A single reed call is a very versatile call that can run the gamut of sounds and ranges, but it more difficult to master. Especially for a beginner a single reed call might not be the best choice. The double reed duck call has two reeds and therefore lacks the range of a single reed, but makes up for that in terms of being much easier to blow and master. Double reeds are generally softer than single reeds which is great for calling in close quarters.

Another aspect is what material is the call made out of. The two most common high quality materials is wood and acrylic. You will also find a fair amount of poly calls as well, but in general I have found them to lack the sound you are looking for. The key difference in materials is that acrylic calls can be much louder and carry much further than wood duck calls. This is especially important when considering what type of hunting you will be doing. In an open space you want a loud call and should gravitate towards an acrylic duck call. Another key aspect is that acrylic has less variance in sound over the temperature ranges you would expect to see in a duck blind. Wood expands and contracts to a much greater degree leading to different sounds depending on the air temperature.

Personally, if I were to pick a perfect duck set up it would be two calls. A single reed meant to reach out and grab them, in which case I would choose a Rnt Daisy Cutter duck call. I would couple that with a double reed meant to work the close in birds, and that would be Fred Zink XR-2 Paralyzer duck call. Both would be in acrylic due to the wide array of temperatures I hunt in.

Again, by "meat duck call" I mean it is made for the sole purpose of getting ducks to commit and give quality shots while duck hunting. Basically, this call is meant to sound like a live duck.

So what sets apart the XR-2? Well first off, it is a double reed duck call. Why is a double reed important? Generally speaking they are easier to blow well and pretty much eliminates sticking of the reed, which can occur with single reeds. They are generally softer in sound than their acrylic single reed brethren, and work great for those in close ducks. The feeding chatter call sounds great on the XR-2.

So who should be in the market for a double reed call such as the Zink XR-2? I think this is a great first call beginning hunters due to it being a double reed and being easier to blow a quality quack with it. I would also recommend for those experienced hunters to use in combination with their favorite single reed. Many of my hunting partners have the XR-2 paired with a single reed like the RnT Daisy Cutter to reach the full spectrum of calls required in any given situation.

I hope that explains the reasoning behind choosing a Zink Paralyzer XR-2 to add to your lanyard.

So what do I mean by "meat" call?  I mean this call isn't meant to win a calling contest, it is made for the sole purpose of getting ducks in your face for high quality shots.  Plain and simple, a "meat" call will sound like a duck.

So let's talk specifics on the RnT Daisy Cutter.  First off, from their site, the Daisy Cutter has "a higher reed set along with a wider bore to give it a more demanding presence".  So let's dig into that a little bit.  That just means that this call can get really loud if need be to attract those far off ducks.

I should also mention that this call is a single reed duck call.  In general, the single reed calls are more difficult to blow, but have a much wider range and generally can produce superior calls than a double reed call.

I have a hunting buddy that has a Daisy Cutter and I have seen him call ducks in from great distances to right in your face.  If used correctly, this is a very good call.

I'd give it a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5!

****½ (4.5/5)

Hope that sheds a little light into the reasons a person would be in the market for a RnT Daisy Cutter call.

Custom RNT Original Signed By Butch Duck Call NOT Daisy Cutter    US $105.00

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