Hunting on a boat is a hobby that attracts many sportsmen around the world. Immerse yourself in the natural surroundings of ancient forests, sail on clear rivers and hunt for ducks or wild animals - these are indeed effective stress-relief solutions for your daily life.
However, only when you know how to keep yourself safe can it become a great recreational hobby. Here are some rules and tips that every sportsman should consider when hunting from a boat.
Plan Your Trip Carefully
Planning is a must-have step for any trip, especially a hunting trip, because it is more dangerous than others. Therefore, you must write down what you need to bring and important tasks you have to do before leaving.
If you manage to go with a friend, discuss the plan to make sure it fits both of you, then assign all tasks.
Also, you should list all possible dangers such as aggressive animals, fast-moving water, poisonous insects or being injured, etc. No one knows what will happen in advance, so you must always be careful. If not, you will have to pay with your life.
Pay Attention To The Weather Forecast
Good weather will give you successful and safe hunting from a boat trip. Don't skip watching the weather forecast because it's beneficial. Bad weather like heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms will make the river go rampage and sink your boat quickly.
If the weather forecast does not recommend a trip, you should wait until it gets better. May you can't resist the desire to go hunting but remember, safety first!
Sometimes the weather forecast could be wrong, so if it says there will be good weather tomorrow, don't forget to prepare your protective gear if things go wrong.
Check Your Boat
The boat is your companion on a hunting trip, so you must pay attention to it. Make sure your boat is full of fuel, is in good working order, and keep some repair tools with you if it has problems. Also, prepare a life jacket even if you are a good swimmer or an athlete because the fast-flowing river will take your life even you can swim.
Read More: Best Prevention Against Careless Behavior When Hunting
Dress Properly
Dressing appropriately on a hunting trip is not meant to look good but to keep you safe. You should wear clothes suitable for the weather and temperature.
Usually, the temperature in the forests and the rivers will be lower than in your house, even in summer. And you have to face many dangerous insects like mosquitoes, bees, leeches. They can attack and hurt you. So here are what you need to prepare:
Clothes
Choose light, warm, and water-resistant clothes. Do not forget socks and gloves. Make sure insects can't attack your skin. You can prepare 2 sets of clothes to change because of water or sweat.
Jackets
Choose a warm, light, and multi-pocket jacket. You will need pockets to store small items such as lighters, knives, first aid or ammo, and fishing lures.
Hats
Wear a beekeeper hat to prevent mosquitoes. If you go to an area where there are not many insects, a sun hat to protect your face from sunburn and sunglasses for your eyes are enough. But you should take both.
Shoes
You should wear special boots for mountain climbing and forest trails. The sole of the shoe must be anti-slip and protect the foot in many different terrains. Shoes must also be water-resistant because no hunter wants wet feet, and it could make your body cold. Finally, they should be the same color as the leaves and soil on the ground because it makes dangerous animals like snakes and insects not see and attack your feet.
Read more: How To Keep Your Feet Warm While Hunting: 5 Tips For Beginners
Prepare Your First Aid Kit
In many cases, you can get injured for a multitude of reasons. For example, you could fall, get bitten by an insect, get hit by a tree branch, or hit a rock. In this case, the first aid kit is essential to avoid losing blood and disinfect the wound.
First aid kit may include gloves, masks, medical tapes, gauze pads and rolls, bandages, antiseptic alcohol, and scissors. In addition, you can take skin-soothing medicine to relieve pain from insect bites.
Do Not Be Greedy
Finally, don't be greedy. Return on time and follow the plan you have set. Some people forget how time flies when hunting from a boat, and they go until food and fuel run out. If that happens on a large and deserted river, you will find it difficult to call for help because the phone signal may be cut off.