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.

Trip Preparation

• Leave a float plan with family and friends. It should detail where you’re going and when you plan to return.
• Be sure the boat is large enough to carry you and your gear safely.
• Load gear low in the boat, and distribute the weight evenly.
• Have a personal flotation device (life jacket) on board for each passenger to wear.
• Have throwable personal flotation devices 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.

Transporting Firearms in a Boat

• The same rules apply as when transporting firearms in a vehicle­—unload and case firearms before transporting them. The action should be open or the gun broken down, whichever makes the firearm safest.
• Before boarding the boat, place the unloaded firearm into the bow of the boat with its muzzle pointing forward.
• When hunting with others, the first person settles in the bow position facing forward after the first gun is placed. Next place the second unloaded firearm in the stern of the boat with its muzzle pointing rearward. Then the second person settles in the stern position facing rearward. Repeat the procedure when unloading.

Zone-of-Fire in a Boat

When hunting from a boat, a back-to-back position is the safest, with the zone-of-fire confined to 180 degrees in front of each hunter. Firing in opposite directions maintains the boat’s stability. Be extremely cautious when more than one hunter fires in the same direction. For example, suppose two hunters sitting back-to-back swing to the same side and fire. The double, unbalanced recoil will tip the boat in the opposite direction. Any other hunters in the boat also may be thrown off balance. The result could capsize the boat.

Don't press your luck in cold weather. At the first sign of a storm, head for shore.