Duck Hunting Safety

[Cricket]

Hey all,
Teaching an hour class on duck hunting safety. If you were a new hunter what would you have liked someone to show or teach you? I did one last year but I like to change them up so just looking for some tips that I can use hunting and teaching. We are about to start the mentored waterfowl hunt here in Lethbridge with Delta waterfowl and hope its another successful fun year for everyone!

Cheers,
Cricket

 

[Tom_f]

glad to hear this is going on. i've heard way to many stories of guy's going over in boats. especially canoes, i think there are too many people who think you can just throw a canoe in the water and just go, it's hard enough to navigate a canoe with no load in rough water let along packing it to the brim with all your gear(which is usually done wrong) and just paddling yourself out across a lake to get to your favourite spot. i recall reading an article in Ontario Out of Doors that had a few pages on water safety. i'll see if i can dig it up and post some of the useful information i found.

 

[David K]

.. Perhaps not what your were looking for. But, based on a couple of Files that involved Injured Duck Hunteres... Target fixation, following the Duck low and pulling the Trigger . Can also apply when the Birds are first taking flight. Ricochets.. Seldom do any harm other than a bruise, but the potential is there for worse. ...... Based on the Vancouver area, Ladner Marsh specifically, there are deep water filled holes that the unwary can stumble into. Weighted down with gear, getting out unaided can become a real challenge ! .... Also, don't overlook Boating Safety, if a Punt etc. is used. ( The newer inflatable "Horse Collars" are easy to wear, and don't interfere with Hunting.) .... The last is based on a couple of Body Recoveries. ...... And finally, the obvious one, stress that Booze and Guns don't Mix ! ...... David K

 

[Grouse Man]

I think I've read that more hunters drown than are shot. PFD should be MANDATORY as soon as you step into a boat.

Be careful of retrievers. They have an ability to step on your gun (and possibly the trigger) as soon as you set it down. And they know how to move the safety to FIRE.

Behind every new shooter should be an experienced hunter. The newbie may get so excited and focused on the duck that he doesn't realize where he's pointing his gun or where his shot will fall.

 

[blasted_saber]

Wear a PFD seems rather obvious to me. Put it under your jacket or whatever, but wear it while on the water.

Going overboard in near or freezing temperatures in the dark is BAD, BAD news. Without a PFD the potential for a fatal outcome rises dramatically.

 

[wheelin_ca]

not just boat safety, but wader safety too..... ever try to climb through a muddy marsh with waders full of water?

always watch where you step

 

[trebor2880]

Wear a PFD seems rather obvious to me. Put it under your jacket or whatever, but wear it while on the water. Going overboard in near or freezing temperatures in the dark is BAD, BAD news. Without a PFD the potential for a fatal outcome rises dramatically.

Isn't this the law?

 

[ibloom]

no, law says there must be one available per person in the boat, not that they must be used... if i remember correctly

 

[mvarley84]

One thing that we always teach new hunters is to point out everyone's shooting lanes...we pick landmarks on the opposite side of the lake, and tell people here is your shooting window. Five people in a blind, the shooting can get a little crazy, and no-one wants the barrels crossing.

 

[blasted_saber]

Isn't this the law?

No. There must be an appropraitely sized, transport Canada approved PFD on board for everyone. It does not have to be worn.

This is kinda of a sticky point for me. I work on a boat for 6 months a year and wear a PFD EVERY SINGLE MOMENT I am on board. The excuses that its hard to move, hot etc, are, quite frankly, bulls**t. If I can do my job in a PFD, one can surely hunt, fish etc wearing one.

At work I wear a traditional vest style, at home I wear one of these. I find they fit well under a hunting jacket and dont interfere with the shoulder mount of a shotgun as the shoulder portion is mesh only. They are also comfortable enough to paddle a canoe in, and fish all day.

 

[G P]

When shooting game, even if your line of fire is clear and safe you could still damage a hunting partners hearing if you are in a bad position with muzzle blast.