Trip Preparation When Hunting With Boats

Hunters often use boats in difficult conditions, such as wind, cold, and snow. Special care must be exercised to ensure a safe trip.

• Leave a hunting plan with family or friends with details on the boating portion of your trip. It should include your planned route and when you plan to return.
• Be sure the boat has the capacity to carry your hunting partner(s) and you, your gear, and harvested meat safely.
• Load gear low in the boat, and distribute the weight evenly.
• Have each person on board wear a personal flotation device (PFD), or life jacket. This can be a camouflage flotation jacket, instead of a traditional PFD, when hunting from a boat.
• Have throwable personal flotation devices on board in case someone falls overboard.
• Stow required visual distress signals.
• Check an up-to-date weather forecast before heading out.
• Cancel your trip if wind and water conditions aren’t safe.