hunting from a canoe tips

Pathfinder said:
Im going to be captain obvious here but try shooting along the lenght of the Canoe :p ...and that may be an issue if you have a partner riding in front of you !

I was canoeing this summer and I saw and Cow Moose and her young Calf they detected us (my wife was a the front of the canoe making all the noise of course) before we ever saw them, If I had been hunting I would of never got a shot off in time.....be quiet...you never know what is around the next bend.
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great thing about canoeing a river is the vast area you cover. still you pretty much said it. slow n steady wins the race.
 
Neat thread. We bought a canoe years ago for use at our cabin. Our two daughters would use it once in a while, but mostly it sat. About three years ago, I had the big inspiration to buy a small electric motor and do some fishing.

I bought one and went to the cabin, mounted the little motor, put the nice new battery in, life jacket to sit on, small camera in shirt pocket, paddle, bailing can, yep, all set to head out.

The canoe was in about a foot of water, right on the shore. I step in get all hunkered down, and over she goes! I landed in about 16 inches of water, battery in the water, one heck of a schmozzle. Of course, I landed flat out on my face!

Just to make matters really embarrassing, there were three young teen girls sitting on the next dock watching the launching. I stood up, dripping wet, and muttered something, collected all the "flotsam and jetsam" (Jackie Gleason quote), dragged the canoe up on shore and went up to the cabin to get dry clothes.

The girls were polite enough that they didn't laugh out loud right then and there.

I dressed in dry clothes, and made a successful launch on the second try, minus the ruined camera.

I think the moral of my story is.... kjohn will not be canoeing much in the future, unless I can attach wings to keep the stupid thing from tipping over.:p
 
kjohn said:
Neat thread. We bought a canoe years ago for use at our cabin. Our two daughters would use it once in a while, but mostly it sat. About three years ago, I had the big inspiration to buy a small electric motor and do some fishing.

I bought one and went to the cabin, mounted the little motor, put the nice new battery in, life jacket to sit on, small camera in shirt pocket, paddle, bailing can, yep, all set to head out.

The canoe was in about a foot of water, right on the shore. I step in get all hunkered down, and over she goes! I landed in about 16 inches of water, battery in the water, one heck of a schmozzle. Of course, I landed flat out on my face!

Just to make matters really embarrassing, there were three young teen girls sitting on the next dock watching the launching. I stood up, dripping wet, and muttered something, collected all the "flotsam and jetsam" (Jackie Gleason quote), dragged the canoe up on shore and went up to the cabin to get dry clothes.

The girls were polite enough that they didn't laugh out loud right then and there.

I dressed in dry clothes, and made a successful launch on the second try, minus the ruined camera.

I think the moral of my story is.... kjohn will not be canoeing much in the future, unless I can attach wings to keep the stupid thing from tipping over.:p
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some folks just don't cotton to canoes.
My old man (long gone now) never got into a canoe that he didn't sink.
 
Doglock said:
Since you’ve not owned a scanoe before and are planning to attach a motor, I presume that you will have your Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card. A canoe is legal without one, but attach a motor and you need the card.

In addition you need some mandatory equipment on board. Bailing bucket, throwing rope, PDF for each person, and a signaling device (think whistle). In addition, let someone know where you are planning to go.

Having dumped a canoe a couple of times I’ve learned to tie everything to the boat. And my glasses get tied to my head with a glasses string. Nothing worse than not being able to see because you specks floated off while you were under water.
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I just sold my 22.5 foot aluminum saltchuck boat , its the first scanoe I've owned but not the first canoe Ive paddled, but its a long way from my first boat or watercraft and I do have the card. The glasses string though is a damn good tip!
 
OEM said:
Damn...you guys have all the fun. As far as I know, in BC, we cannot hunt/shoot from a boat at all. Best of luck to you...looks like a LOT of fun.
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In BC it is illegal to shoot from any motorized vehicle. However; a power boat ceases to be a motorized vehicle as soon as motor is tilted out of the water (see definitions: Power Boat - means a boat, canoe or yacht
powered by electric, gasoline, oil, steam or
other mechanical means, but does not include
a boat powered manually nor a boat with an
outboard motor provided the motor is tilted
or otherwise disengaged so as not to be ready
for immediate use. BC hunting regs. pg 5)
The way I read that is once motor is tilted your good to go.
 
I have been using a 12 foot Sportspal aluminum with a motor mount and a 34 lb minn kota. I also paddle quite a bit but it is not a paddling canoe, very hard to keep up any momentum. I have hunted a creek successfully and plan on doing a few rivers this year with a friend.

I had 10 goose floaters, me and my 275 lb dad in it today and I am quite comfortable in it but my dad not so much lol. He's afraid of water, make sure your passengers are comfortable because they are usually the ones that make your trip turn out bad.

I had my wife, her sister, my daughter and me in a 16 ft Pelican and after two waves we swamped it because of leaning the wrong way and not dropping our center of gravity.

If you get into waves get on your knees, drop your center of gravity and hold your paddle across the gunnels this can sometimes act as a sponson and prevent you from tipping.

I also stand up in my canoe and use a long paddle to cruise around on smooth water, takes the pressure off of sitting down for hours.

And it was already said TIE EVERYTHING DOWN, especially a Deep Cycle Battery.

I rarely wear my PFD on smooth water or creeks or small rivers but on big water it is a good idea. wear a camo paddling PFD one that doesn't get in the way of your shoulder when shouldering your gun. Otherwise you are not going to be able to shoot properly.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
some folks just don't cotton to canoes.
My old man (long gone now) never got into a canoe that he didn't sink.
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lol reminds me of when my brother n law and I go out. We have yet to not tip the canoe. Usually were loaded drunk but that's just an excuse for why it tips haha.
Last time it happend we were out fishing, boat flipped over and threw the laughter all you hear is "save the worms!!!" we saved the worms but never thought about our $100 rods and tackle witch was lost on the bottom of the lake.
 
I have been using a 12 foot Sportspal aluminum with a motor mount and a 34 lb minn kota. I also paddle quite a bit but it is not a paddling canoe, very hard to keep up any momentum.
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A Sportspal is more of an aluminum tub than a canoe. That's why it is impossible to paddle, and I mean "impossible". Do not buy one if you need a canoe.

I had my wife, her sister, my daughter and me in a 16 ft Pelican and after two waves we swamped it because of leaning the wrong way and not dropping our center of gravity.
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No, you swamped it because it was overloaded.

If you get into waves get on your knees, drop your center of gravity and hold your paddle across the gunnels this can sometimes act as a sponson and prevent you from tipping.
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While kneeling is a good idea, ALL moves to brace a canoe involve putting your paddle in the water and using it to provide balance for you and to control rolling angles. NEVER put your paddle across the gunnels except to rest.

I also stand up in my canoe and use a long paddle to cruise around on smooth water, takes the pressure off of sitting down for hours.
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Standing is very useful for looking over stuff and getting a better view. It is a useless way to paddle.

There is some good advice in this thread, but there are lots of people who own bad canoes who should not be giving advice about "wilderness" paddling and hunting.
 
Doing a short canoe hunt weekend after next and then a longer one the following weekend...

Can't wait !!!!!



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my experience with em is with waterfowl. to echo: wear the pfd rather than sit on it.
DO NOT wear your waders - put em on when on shore and blind set up, take em off if retrieving birds with canoe (dogless hunting)

for fun jump shooting an electric motor is great for sneaking around marshes (or a buddy to paddle) if going electric, put the batts in the bow and run long leads back to the motor

thanks for starting this thread, the pics have been awesome.

have fun, be safe.
 
we use our canoes to access our hunting area, travel by water is quieter and more scent free, once we connect and dispatch our moose we catarmaran our canoes to float the animals back to camp.
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I would absolutely love to canoe hunt!!! love hunting and canoeing, and dont have enough time in my schedule to to either as I would like to this fall. Man that would be an awesome way to do both. Anyone looking to do such in my neck of the woods and would take on an extra party, count me in! Advice to the OP is that in addition to your ability in a canoe,
1. Do not underestimate the importance of your canoeing partners' ability too. They affect the boat as much as you do, and if unstable and unsure will be sure to put you over too.
2. never grab the gunnels, it's what is referred to as completing the circle (or likewise closing the coffin) a semi-circle shape will rock back and forth with a light touch, but a wheel with the same force will roll right over, same exact principles.
3. there are a lot of different canoe shapes/designs for different purposes: shallow arch, round bottom, flat bottom, keeled; straight sided, tumblehome... a flat bottom, keeled boat will be the most forgiving and stable, but the least maneuverable if you ever plan on leaving the lake. Just like guns, you can get something entirely serviceable and inexpensive, high dollar purpose-built design and function, expensive high-end performers with everything that entails, and a bunch of choices in between.
 
pharaoh2 said:
How does the boat rock when a 3 inch goose load is fired broadside? I've always wanted to try a canoe, I just like the romantic thought of paddling a mountain lake or floating a river with a shotgun.
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Actually, canoes barely move when a rifle or shotgun is fired broadside. Even the most powerful move a canoe very little. They certainly will not tip a canoe.

Tipping over from recoil impulse is a myth, cultivated by cartoons and good storytellers. :D

Ted
 
Smokeeter, THANKS for posting those pics of your moose moving catamaran!!! What a great way to get your moose back to camp with less effort!!!

Nice!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
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