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How many of you all are using a boat to access your hunting area?

Here's some more advice. Be prepared for changes in wind direction. Always try to park boat so your out of the wind from ANY direction especially on a lake. One time we had a squall come thru. Wind switched to the North for about 30 minutes. 2 footers started rolling in. We came back to a full boat! Not fun. If you can't, use a long line so it will adjust to wind direction changes. Also make sure that what your tied off to is solid. It could be potentially not fun when you come back and your boat's not there! Once We tied off to some willows because there were no trees or logs in the area. The wind pulled so hard that they bent over and the line pulled off. We got lucky on that one. The boat only drifted 100 yds down the bank. I don't think we even got wet getting in.
 
Its practically mandatory to have a console mounted GPS unit to navigate at night. Fog is a thing all the time, as well as staying in channels and remembering where to beach the boat near where you want to hunt. I wouldnt have even considered hunting out of a boat without a quality mapping unit mounted.
 
khnc said:
Its practically mandatory to have a console mounted GPS unit to navigate at night. Fog is a thing all the time, as well as staying in channels and remembering where to beach the boat near where you want to hunt. I wouldnt have even considered hunting out of a boat without a quality mapping unit mounted.
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Agreed. Totally neccesary! One time it was so dark we couldn't see the bank or the skyline. We navigated by instrumentation. Scary stuff because you have to trust it. I prefer trusting my eyes.
 
I carry a quality mapping device with me all the time, my phone. I open GAIA and drop the phone in the cup holder.

I haven’t read every word typed in response here, but I skimmed over and the one piece of advice wasn’t given…..never get further from the bank than you can swim in the current conditions.

I do a lot of duck hunting in conditions where you do NOT want to wind up in the water and that’s a rule that’s followed if my hand is on the tiller. During early bow season it’s no big deal, but the later it gets in the season it’s something to start thinking about. And I’ll say it again because it can never be said enough, wear your life jacket and kill switch.
 
dalton916 said:
I haven’t read every word typed in response here, but I skimmed over and the one piece of advice wasn’t given…..never get further from the bank than you can swim in the current conditions.

I do a lot of duck hunting in conditions where you do NOT want to wind up in the water and that’s a rule that’s followed if my hand is on the tiller. During early bow season it’s no big deal, but the later it gets in the season it’s something to start thinking about. And I’ll say it again because it can never be said enough, wear your life jacket and kill switch.
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That is excellent advice and one I always try to heed. For most of my trip I’m able to stay close to the shoreline where there are houses and docks in case something was to happen. There are a few areas where it would be difficult due to rock bluffs or just no houses. On my last hunt the water temps were in the upper 60’s. Though not the coldest, those temps can really havoc on the body, especially in heavy clothing.
 
I hunt out of a canoe every year. I have found the best damn spot going where I bring the canoe up a small creek, basically land it right under the tree I am going to climb which is right on a primary scrape. It is so stealth, it is so much easier to hump all my gear and to retrieve the deer I shoot there.

There is no better way to hunt.

This photo was from Tues past - small buck came into my calling. The creek is just behind the canoe.

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Up north I boat in (in my lund) to a boat access cottage that we hunt out of. Often we take the boat out and drop dudes along the shoreline that we plan to hunt. Amazing way to cover ground.

It is worth keeping the possibility of ice in your plans...
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It is also worthwhile to make sure your buddy who launches your boat in freezing water checks that the plug is in!!

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Following - i dont have a boat but this is interesting. I do have a kayak but unless you have a buddy to shuttle i couldnt paddle back upriver.
 
gcr0003 said:
Laugh all y’all want but these cheap ski goggles from costco as well as ski gloves are clutch on the water when it gets cold. I wear contacts so they pull double duty protecting my eyes from getting dried out lolView attachment 55870
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I’ve actually looked at some motorcycle goggles for the same reason. Not sure if they would help or not though. Something to keep the cold wind off.
 
MJH said:
Up north I boat in (in my lund) to a boat access cottage that we hunt out of. Often we take the boat out and drop dudes along the shoreline that we plan to hunt. Amazing way to cover ground.

It is worth keeping the possibility of ice in your plans...
View attachment 55872

It is also worthwhile to make sure your buddy who launches your boat in freezing water checks that the plug is in!!

View attachment 55873
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Luckily the ice is not nearly as big of a concern down here in TN. But that drain plug, or the lack thereof will get you every time no matter where you are.
 
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I have a WMA That I access via boat. Weather has to be tame though or I’m going somewhere else.
 
getting a jon boat to hunt with is a goal....i have several wmas within 1 hour that have zero bowhunting pressure if you travel the large lakes to get to spots....during gun season guys start running their boats, so it isn't zero pressure ever...just close to zero during bow season if you have a boat
 
raisins said:
getting a jon boat to hunt with is a goal....i have several wmas within 1 hour that have zero bowhunting pressure if you travel the large lakes to get to spots....during gun season guys start running their boats, so it isn't zero pressure ever...just close to zero during bow season if you have a boat
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No doubt! It’s not zero pressure and I think most of those places will have some folks using a boat. But there are surely less boats than trucks! Most folks don’t want to walk 1000 yards+ either, including me. Getting to places MOST folks won’t go is pretty sweet. Now that I have a saddle I am scouting these type areas much different too! Using a boat especially during early bow season allows the opportunity to jump in the lake after a long trek in the woods…..and perhaps catch a bass. Turkey hunting is another perfect time to go fishing with your gear on the ready in case one sounds off!
 
I used my yak to go up some tidal creeks to get to areas I know haven’t seen a human in many year…had to pull myself out over some mud and limbs on the way out…but it was fun and lots of sign


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