Safe Hunting on the Water

By Charlie Justus, District Conservation Officer Idaho Department of Fish and Game - Southwest Region Late season waterfowl hunting can be rewarding if you find open water and get away from crowds. One popular method used to find that great hunting spot involves taking a boat out on one of Idaho's rivers. Rivers hold large numbers of waterfowl when cold weather leaves ponds ice covered. Fish and Game and sheriff's officers in each county will be enforcing boating safety rules this winter. No one is trying to take away from your adventure, but simply assure that you are alive to enjoy your sport another day. One rule that will be strictly enforced is the use or availability of personal flotation devices (PFDs)-life jackets. Every year, hunters are lost in boating accidents. Investigations usually determine that if victims had worn life jackets, they would still be with us today. There must be a wearable PFD for every person in the boat. If your boat is more than 16 feet in length, there must also be a throwable flotation device on board. All children 14 years and younger must wear their PFD. It is always a good idea for everyone -regardless of age -to wear life jackets while the boat is under power. Here's why: cold water saps your energy, causing your body to quickly become hypothermic. Brain function slows; hypothermic persons do not make good choices, even as their muscles fail to work as they should. Trying to put on a lifejacket while struggling to stay above water and float down river with the current is difficult. "Wear your life jacket" is the best advice I can give anyone operating a boat at any time of year. Another rule that impacts waterfowl hunters is the use of navigation lights. Navigation lights must be in use from sunset to sunrise. What that means to any waterfowl hunter who wants to start hunting at shoot time (one-half hour before sunrise) is they must have operational navigation lights on their boats when they leave the boat ramp. According to the Idaho boating bules, the front or bow of the boat must show a green and red light and the back or stern must show a white light. This allows other boaters to see you and determine which direction you are traveling. If your boat is not wired for lights, the local boat shops sell battery operated navigation lights. Navigation lights are an important part of boat safety. I have seen some near misses at boat launches and heard of some near misses on the water. Just last week, I heard about two boats operating without lights. The driver of the fast-approaching rear boat was unaware of the slower front boat until the front boat driver blinded the driver of the rear boat with his spot light. There was nearly a crash, and more than a few unpleasant words were exchanged. If both boats had been operating with navigation lights, the near miss would not have been an issue. That is exactly why you will see officers checking for safety equipment. Two other safety items that are needed include a fire extinguisher and a sound producing device. Be certain these items are on board before setting out. One non-safety related rule involves boat registration. These registrations expire on December 31. All motorized boats, including those operated by electric trolling motors, require boat registrations. Be safe out there, wear your life jacket, and have fun. Remember to take a kid hunting to continue our hunting heritage.