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

CharlieTN

CharlieTN

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2019
Messages
579
This year I’m trying my hand at some public land hunting. On the lake I live at there are two large islands that are managed by Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency and they allow deer hunting. Im using my fishing boat, a 17’ Alumacraft to access the islands. It’s been interesting so far, definitely different than driving to and from a hunting spot.

Today will by my first trip after the cold spell. Going to be bundling up good, especially for the ride back after dark. Of course I’m hoping for one down well before dark but you know how that goes.

One island is roughly 9 miles away, the other is roughly 10 miles away. I live on Watts Bar Lake TN which puts me crossing so fairly large water to get to either island.

How many of you are using a boat/canoe/kayak, or other floating vessel to access your hunting areas. What types of water are you traveling? And any tips, tricks, warnings, and such are always welcomed.
 
Extra clothes in a dry bag just in case.....Ive used my kayak and a boat to access a island near me. One time I slipped and was half soaked and it was rough getting warm after the half hour paddle back.
 
I used an 18' jet drive Lowe Tunnel hull for about 15 years or so to hunt. Used in KY, SC, GA and NC. Killed a pile of deer on inaccessible public land during that time. Sold the jet drive to buy a tractor back in Jan, due to buying a farm in SC. So far, the farm is needing much more improvement as it doesnt have many deer on it. So much easier to just jump to a different area on a lake to find a hot area. Not so on a piece of private land.
 
CharlieTN said:
How many of you are using a boat/canoe/kayak, or other floating vessel to access your hunting areas
Click to expand...
Me. I've used everything listed. Probably have more hunts in a boat than out of one.

CharlieTN said:
What types of water are you traveling?
Click to expand...
Everything from small creeks to big rivers and lakes.

CharlieTN said:
And any tips, tricks, warnings, and such are always welcomed.
Click to expand...
Make sure the motor cranks before you leave the house. Always check the plug. Never put anything but ethanol-free in a boat motor (it'll bite you eventually). Make sure your manual start works. If you launch solo, always double check that the rope from the trailer to the boat is tied. Always check the plug. A good pair of hip boots are worth their weight in gold. File a float plan. Find a buddy who'll come get your azz in a jam. Always check the plug. Always have backup propulsion (paddle, push pole, trolling motor, etc). Have a re-entry plan in case you fall out, and test it out in the summer. Tie the boat up securely and with enough slack to account for tide and waves/wake. Always check the plug. Check the weather and tide, and check it again.

Always

Check

The

Plug
 
The part about having slack for tide, waves/wake , AND falling water due to sudden winter pool drawdowns, is probably the best advice besides checking the plug.
 
  • If you’re running at night make sure your anchor light isn’t shining in your face or it’ll be hard to see.
  • Do not use a light up front on your boat to see where you are going, especially if there is any fog (Plus it’s illegal). You will see the better and the curves of the creek will be outlined with natural moonlight rather than artificial light.
  • Make sure to wear your life jacket and attach your kill switch. My grandad said, “ain’t no one ever drown wearing a life jacket.” While that isn’t flawless logic you can understand what he meant, which is plenty of people drown because they aren’t wearing a life jackets.
  • I’d recommend running to those spots a couple time in the daylight before running them for the first time at night. You’d be surprised what your brain can do to paint the curves of the river in your mind.
  • Always watch for stumps even on the lakes. When the water gets high big stumps get swept out to the open can be deadly.
  • Keep a down wind jacket in the boat. I throw that over everything when it gets cold and I can take it off before I get going. Big ski gloves for your hands work wonders too.
  • I always keep extra dry food, firestsrter, med kit, extra lights etc. in my box in case something happens or I break down.
  • keep a spare or a couple spare spark plugs and a wrench like channel locks to be able to change it out.
  • Keep a long piece of wire to clear dirt dobbers or dirt out of the water hose. Shouldn’t be a problem if you start before you leave.
  • A lot of this is what I was taught growing up about taking the boat out and is not specific to hunting, but more running at night.
    51642314-ED3A-4CE8-ADA1-D1780EDFF5A3.jpeg
 
Also, my rule is don’t take the plug out. That way, it’s never out. Lol
 
gcr0003 said:
Also, my rule is don’t take the plug out. That way, it’s never out. Lol
Click to expand...
I'd do that if I didn't have to park my boat out in the elements. Trailers aren't usually rated to hold a boat plus all the water they can hold. Rough on them $30 trailer tires from walzmart.

I'll respectfully disagree with your assessment on bow lights. I put a 10 inch light bar on my jon with a flood/spot combo beam and control it with a remote that goes around my neck with the USCG-mandated whistle and a compass. Some trips it never comes on. But generally I at least use it as I'm coasting up to the bank, and it's really nice to have in narrow creeks where there is no skylight. And if you run shallow in strange water, it's really good at showing those little stumps sticking 3" up out of the water.

If I'm approaching another vessel, I can instantly flip it off. I'm aware it's illegal, but I've never ran into any issues with either LEOs or other boaters. I understand why the Coast Guard rules are the way they are for big water, but on smaller bodies I genuinely think everybody would be safer having a light bar and just treating it like high beams on a car.

Also, last duck season I almost ran smack over a kid who was broke down (actually just didn't have the gas cap vented and stalled out) in the middle of the river with no lights whatsoever on his boat. Scared the crap out of both of us. It was foggy and I was going probably too fast, but the river was 200 yards wide and 40ft deep and straight for a solid 2 or 3 miles. I was not the fastest boat out that morning by a long shot.

It would have been ugly if i'd have just been counting on keeping it between the trees.
 
A lot of states have laws requiring the plug to be during transport to try limiting invasive species.

Sent from my SM-G973U1 using Tapatalk
 
Nutterbuster said:
Me. I've used everything listed. Probably have more hunts in a boat than out of one.


Everything from small creeks to big rivers and lakes.


Make sure the motor cranks before you leave the house. Always check the plug. Never put anything but ethanol-free in a boat motor (it'll bite you eventually). Make sure your manual start works. If you launch solo, always double check that the rope from the trailer to the boat is tied. Always check the plug. A good pair of hip boots are worth their weight in gold. File a float plan. Find a buddy who'll come get your azz in a jam. Always check the plug. Always have backup propulsion (paddle, push pole, trolling motor, etc). Have a re-entry plan in case you fall out, and test it out in the summer. Tie the boat up securely and with enough slack to account for tide and waves/wake. Always check the plug. Check the weather and tide, and check it again.

Always

Check

The

Plug
Click to expand...
I think you want us to always check the plug. :tearsofjoy:

Also, have a spare plug in your boat accessories/gear box.

X2 support for the back-up propulsion. I recommend a paddle and trolling motor. I have been having a go at it with my prop shear pin. Broke three already hitting winter "low spots". Water is often lower in the winter and those gravel bars will sneak up on you in the dark or in muddy rivers. I need to add a depth finder so they don't sneak up on me. Until then I'm using Google maps (winter images) and keeping plenty of extra shear pins. Even with the extra pins it's nice to have the trolling motor option to either get the rest of the way there or to an easy spot to change out the pin. The trolling motor also offers stealth mode on approach.

Expect things to always go wrong. Then you will be physically and mentally prepared. If they don't go wrong, then you are pleasantly surprised.

I love my boat. Sure it has had it's issues, but it has been a blast both getting to new spots but also just cruising down the lakes and rivers. Plus learning the care and maintenance has been fun. I got some new skills under the belt and meat in the freezer from water access only public. And remember to always check the plug.
 
Nutterbuster said:
I'd do that if I didn't have to park my boat out in the elements. Trailers aren't usually rated to hold a boat plus all the water they can hold. Rough on them $30 trailer tires from walzmart.

I'll respectfully disagree with your assessment on bow lights. I put a 10 inch light bar on my jon with a flood/spot combo beam and control it with a remote that goes around my neck with the USCG-mandated whistle and a compass. Some trips it never comes on. But generally I at least use it as I'm coasting up to the bank, and it's really nice to have in narrow creeks where there is no skylight. And if you run shallow in strange water, it's really good at showing those little stumps sticking 3" up out of the water.

If I'm approaching another vessel, I can instantly flip it off. I'm aware it's illegal, but I've never ran into any issues with either LEOs or other boaters. I understand why the Coast Guard rules are the way they are for big water, but on smaller bodies I genuinely think everybody would be safer having a light bar and just treating it like high beams on a car.

Also, last duck season I almost ran smack over a kid who was broke down (actually just didn't have the gas cap vented and stalled out) in the middle of the river with no lights whatsoever on his boat. Scared the crap out of both of us. It was foggy and I was going probably too fast, but the river was 200 yards wide and 40ft deep and straight for a solid 2 or 3 miles. I was not the fastest boat out that morning by a long shot.

It would have been ugly if i'd have just been counting on keeping it between the trees.
Click to expand...
Why would you spend all that money on a boat then leave it out uncovered. Buy boat cover or tarp at least… jeez

You will not be able to see where your going on a foggy morning with those lights. That’s not an opinion that’s a fact, jack. Trolling up sloughs or small creeks with no fog sure they are nice to have. If there is fog, not a chance.
 
Bama_Xander said:
I think you want us to always check the plug. :tearsofjoy:

Also, have a spare plug in your boat accessories/gear box.

X2 support for the back-up propulsion. I recommend a paddle and trolling motor. I have been having a go at it with my prop shear pin. Broke three already hitting winter "low spots". Water is often lower in the winter and those gravel bars will sneak up on you in the dark or in muddy rivers. I need to add a depth finder so they don't sneak up on me. Until then I'm using Google maps (winter images) and keeping plenty of extra shear pins. Even with the extra pins it's nice to have the trolling motor option to either get the rest of the way there or to an easy spot to change out the pin. The trolling motor also offers stealth mode on approach.

Expect things to always go wrong. Then you will be physically and mentally prepared. If they don't go wrong, then you are pleasantly surprised.

I love my boat. Sure it has had it's issues, but it has been a blast both getting to new spots but also just cruising down the lakes and rivers. Plus learning the care and maintenance has been fun. I got some new skills under the belt and meat in the freezer from water access only public. And remember to always check the plug.
Click to expand...
Depthfinders are cool. I bought one this summer and love it. There's also an app called Navionics that produces some pretty decent bathometric maps for many bodies of water.

I don't have shear pins on my mud motor, but I do keep about a half dozen props on hand plus tail bushings. Shear pins, spark plugs, impellers, and all the tools needed to change those parts are good to have in a dry box. I also keep some chemical fire starter cubes, a bivvy bag, and some Bic lighters in my life jacket. To quote my old man, "I may die out in the woods, but it won't be because I froze to death. I'll burn the whole forest to the ground before that happens."
 
Using a yak Saturday, going to a overlooked spot 3rd year in a row. Every year I see deer. Hopefully this year I can finally get one.
 
Let’s see
1. Check your plug - Got it, always do at least twice before I launch. I also carry 3 total on the boat
2. Start before you go - I do that at the launch which is 2 blocks from my house. I do test the lights, bilge pump, and such at home along with the other batteries.
3. Check you plug - Yep, always
4. Have lights - covered there. I have the required ones plus a 12” light bar. I do run with it on most of the time here on the lake because a. There is usually no other boats on the lake after dark during hunting season B. Our lake also has lots of debris in it at times, including large logs. Just don’t want to hit anything. I do turn the light off if there is another boat coming.
5. Carry repair parts - I do carry stuff to work on the motor and such if need to
6. Check your plug - still good
7. Let people know where you’re going - always do, including sending my wife a screen shot of the HuntStand app showing my stand location.


I appreciate all of the tips and advice. It’s been and experience so far. Hopefully soon I can get my boat bloody with a deer.
 
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