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 or 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 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.

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 duck hunting, the back-to-back position is the safest, with the zone-of-fire confined to a 180-degree area in front of each hunter.

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