Waterfowl Hunting Safety Tips

Cold water combined with foul weather can create hazardous conditions for waterfowl hunters. Because these conditions can be dangerous, some safety tips are provided (below) so hunters can be better prepared before heading out on the water.

Weather

To stay warm and avoid the risks of hypothermia or cold water immersion:

• Control wind and wetness by using waterproof jackets, waders, and boots.
• Wear a belt around your waders to prevent water from entering.
• Wear wool clothing or clothing that stays warm when wet, like some fleece products. Bring extras in a waterproof bag.
• Wear a hat. Most warmth escapes through your head.
• Bring a variety of high energy/sugar content food bars for quick energy and calories.
• Your extremities are very important. It’s no fun to hunt with cold feet, hands, or head. Bring waterproof gloves and footwear, and chemical hand and foot warmers that you can put inside your gloves or boots.
• If you fall in — go home! Or, take a break and change into warm, dry clothes.

Duck Boat Safety

When planning a hunt, check to be sure the boat is in good working condition and includes enough gas for the trip, all necessary safety gear, and boat lights and flashlights in good working order. Hunters must follow all boating rules, and everyone on board should wear a properly fitted U.S.C.G. approved life jacket, vest, or flotation coat anytime while on the water. Cell phones and radios are important communication devices and should be properly charged and kept in a waterproof bag. A GPS unit is helpful in finding your way but don’t depend solely on it as a means of navigation, as reception varies and units can fail.

• Check the weather before leaving.
• Choose a route close to shore and avoid crossing large expanses of open water, especially in bad weather.
• Anchor from the bow, never from the stern.
• Don’t overload your boat. Check the capacity plate and keep the amount of gear, dogs, and people within your weight limits. Also, be sure the load is properly balanced and try to keep movements and weight shifts (dogs and people) to a minimum. Overloading, sudden shifts in weight, or excessive weather conditions are the most common causes of boats capsizing or swamping.
• If your boat does capsize or swamp, stay with it. Even when filled with water it will provide some floatation and is easier to see by potential rescuers.
• Firearms should be unloaded and properly secured in a case while being trans­ported in a boat. Floating gun cases earn their keep if one happens to go overboard.
• Be extra careful when shooting from a boat. Small boats often have little room to swing a shotgun, so be aware of where dogs and other partners are, and only shoot when all is clear. Never stand in an unsecured boat to shoot.
• Leave a float plan with a responsible person that includes the names of all persons in your party, type and registration number of your boat, time and location of your hunt, and when you expect to return.

Waterfowl hunting can be safer and more enjoyable if you plan ahead and make safe practices part of your water-based hunt. Safety is always the first and most important measure of a successful hunt.

Duck boat safety tips contributed by the Virginia Waterfowlers Association

www.vawfa.org

Sportsmen: Boat Smart, Wear Your Life Jacket

Wearing a life jacket may save your life. It is estimated that 80 percent of boating-related drownings could have been prevented had the victim been wearing a life jacket.

The newest type of life jacket, the manual or automatic inflatable, is lightweight and comfortable. They are versatile enough to be worn at any time of the year, and fit easily over a hunting coat or sweater.

Safety Tips

• Check the weather before leaving.
• Wear a life jacket or float coat.
• Remain seated and keep weight evenly distributed.
• Anchor from the bow, never from the stern.
• Properly load your boat.
• Stay with your boat if it should capsize.
• Dress for the water temperature—guard against hypothermia.
• Leave the alcohol at home.

For more information, contact Boating Education at: [email protected].

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Guidelines for Waterfowl Hunters

• Do not handle, harvest, or consume birds that appear sick. Be aware that some birds may appear healthy and still be infected with HPAI.
• Always wear rubber or disposable gloves when handling, field dressing and butchering game birds. Consider wearing facial protection if splashes are expected.
• Do not eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth while handling game birds.
• If possible, dress game birds in the field and thoroughly bury any unused carcass parts near harvest site. Note that a wing must be retained to ID species.
• If unable to dress birds in the field, do so in a well-ventilated area and bury unused parts or double-bag and dispose of them in a secure trash can or landfill.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after handling birds.
• Clean and disinfect work surfaces and equipment thoroughly after transporting or butchering birds.
• Cook game meat thoroughly—an internal temperature of 165° kills influenza viruses and other disease-causing organisms.
• Change clothes and wash your hands before handling any birds you have at home.
• If you develop any flu-like symptoms after handling waterfowl (fever, body aches, red or itchy eyes, etc.), contact your state or local health department.