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Course Outline

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 is large enough to carry you and your gear 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.
Duck hunters wearing camouflage flotation jacket with dog in boat
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