Boating Responsibility While Hunting

Have a life jacket for each person on board and WEAR IT. The most important piece of safety equipment on a boat is a correctly worn personal flotation device (PFD).

Use precaution when loading a boat. Always check the capacity plate and never exceed the weight limit or the number of people you can have aboard. When considering the weight in your boat, you must take into account both the passengers and equipment.

Always remain seated in the boat. If you need to move, stay in the center of the boat and keep a low center of gravity.

Always check the weather and stay on shore if bad weather is expected.

Keep your boat, motor, and other equipment in good working condition.

Tell a responsible person where you are going and when you will return.

Make a checklist of the items you should have on board your boat before going on the water. The checklist should include all required safety equipment. Consult your state and federal boating regulations.

The use of a boat while hunting adds another distraction when it comes to firearm safety. Obey all firearm safety rules when handling or transporting firearms. Keep firearms unloaded and in a case while transporting them in a boat.

It is unsafe and unethical to shoot from a moving vessel. Once your vessel has stopped and you are ready to hunt, be aware you are not hunting from a stable platform. Always maintain muzzle control, It is easy to lose your footing or balance on a boat. There may be others in your hunting party, therefore you should be constantly aware of "The Zone of Fire."