Hunting has come a long way, from being a necessity during the Nomadic period, it has become a leisure activity for us.
But it is not as exciting as it appears, there are some things one has to keep in mind while hunting. Hunting from a boat needs an alert operator and a vessel that is steady.
Below are some safety precautions which you should take while hunting from a boat.
Proper Equipment
- Check the condition of the boat you will be hunting from. Take a test drive before setting out for your hunt, if there is any damage, make sure it is repaired before you set out.
- There is a standard weight capacity of every boat; make sure you do not exceed its limit. The weight should be evenly distributed, take special care that the back of the boat is not overloaded as when the boat picks speed it lowers the back part and overloading that side of the boat can lead to swamping.
- It is not necessary that things would go according to your plans, so be ready for any situation. Always carry an emergency kit with you. Add all the things mentioned here: food, clothes, fire starting kit, knife and a flashlight.
- Do not go out in the water without having a valid hunting permit. If you are new to hunting in a boat, you should take a Boat Safety Course. By taking the course, you will be familiar with the proper method of the watercraft. It is crucial to understand the safety precautions which are relevant to the activity you will be doing.
- Keep all that you need for reloading the gun near you so that in case of an emergency you do not have to search for it.
- You should have a license for your gun and a boat permit if you are accompanying someone make sure they have a fishing permit too.
Personal Safety
According to a study, out of three people who die on the water, one of them dies while hunting or fishing.
- Learn to swim – This is the most important precaution to take for yourself. One out of three people die while fishing or hunting in water. If you are with your dog, make sure it is trained to swim too. Be ready for any casualty that can occur on your trip.
- Always wear your life jacket even if it is hot. Make sure the straps are correctly tied. 47% of the people who died in accidents while hunting on a boat did not have life jackets on. Make sure even your dog has one worn on. It has been estimated that nearly 80 % of the people who faced boating casualties could be saved with a life jacket.
- Wear appropriate clothes on your trip. Waterproof clothes help from the wind and also from water being soaked in, this will help you to feel warm in cold weather. Wear a life jacket on that. The dressing is also the most critical thing for your hunt. Try wearing jackets that can camouflage you with the surrounding.
- Check the weather forecast before the expedition, instincts do not always work in these types of situations. If the weather is windy or stormy, cancel or postpone the activity. Please do not enter any unknown territory as it can be risky. And even if you want to, take guidance from someone who knows the region well.
- It may seem like a leisure activity but drinking on days like these is very risky, do not take any chances. Avoid any Alcoholic drinks or intake of recreational drugs. Half of the hunting accidents occur due to the consumption of alcohol. If you want to drink, do it after reaching the shore when you have no plans of going back soon.
- Nothing is more important than your health. If you are feeling unwell and are not sure about your health, cancel your plans and stay back.
Vessel precautions
- Check that the gas tank is full and the engine is working well before you start.
- Do not exceed the amount of weight the boat can carry. It depends on the size and length of the boat; for example; a 6 feet vessel can have only one person in it.
- Take the essential amenities with you, do not surplus the vessel as it has more chances to drown.
- The weight should be equally balanced on both the ends of the boat so that it may not turn.
- Stay low and sit in the centre if you are alone on the boat. Try to avoid the capsizing of the vessel.
- If you are taking a dog along with you; it should be well trained.
- After refuelling your boat, check for harmful fumes if you smell any gas then do not start your engine right away.
- You should not stand while shooting, and you shouldn’t fire while the boat is moving. Whenever you plan to shoot, bring the boat to a halt first.
- While setting a target don’t lean on any side of the boat.
- Moving around in the boat is highly prohibited as it can lose balance, if you have a dog with you, make sure it is seated in the same place.
- Be careful when you try to lean over to catch your kill as you can lose your concentration. Any sudden movement can lead to tripping.
- Operate your vessel at a safe speed just like you would have done while you were on the road.
Other Precautions
- If it’s your first expedition, remember to take along with you a person who has experience. Having a well-informed friend can save you from a lot of possible problems that can occur.
- Until and unless you are not firing, do not keep your finger on the trigger.
- Keeping the deck organised may help you a lot while you are on the boat. The knives should always remain covered. The boat should be clear so that you may not have a problem getting out. The gear should be tied on either side of the vessel.
- If the weather gets terrible suddenly, try to reach any nearest stop but do not rush the boat, slow the boat down.
- Always inform someone of your plans, the time of your departure and the expected arrival.
- The boat should be large enough to carry you and have space for the gear too.
- The gun should be unloaded till you do not reach your destination.
- If you fall in cold water, don’t panic, let your breath come back to normal and hold onto something. After the breathing comes back to normal, only then should you try to reboard the vessel.
- Everyone on board should have a life jacket on. If there are two people on the boat, both of them should face either side of the boat with their equipment so that there is no movement later on.
- Make sure you know all the rules regarding hunting on a boat that is prevalent in your state, as there are some countries which do not allow hunting for specific game while on a boat.
- The peak hours of fishing are either early morning or evening, at this moment, the sunlight is limited. Make sure you have navigational lights and remember to carry a flashlight.
Conclusion
Hunting can be a leisure activity, but there are specific rules to be followed for it to be successful and safe. Hunting in a boat is more difficult as there is not only one thing that you have to focus on. After going through all the safety precautions above, you are good to go for your hunting trip. This trip can be your best or your worst time, depending on how you go about
