BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Module 06 - Other Water Activities Emergency Preparation

Hunters and Anglers as Boaters

Hunting and fishing are sports that have a variety of safety rules and regulations. However, participants of these sports must remember that when they’re hunting or fishing from a boat, they’re considered to be boaters and must also follow the rules and regulations for safe boat operation.

Unique Accident Risks for Hunters and Anglers

Approximately 1/3 of all boating-related fatalities occur on trips involving fishing activities. Additionally, fewer hunters and anglers die each year from sport-related gunshot wounds than from drowning, hypothermia and the effects of cold water shock. You just can’t ignore stats like these. If you plan on hunting or fishing from your boat, it’s important that you recognize the following accident risks that are unique to those sports:

Falling overboard:

This is a high risk because hunters and anglers frequently stand up in their boats to cast a line, take aim or to reach for a decoy. Stay seated to stay stable!

Overloading:

When you combine heavy sporting gear or an unbalanced load with passengers who are frequently moving around in the boat, the risk of capsizing will increase substantially.

Boat type:

Hunters and anglers often use flat-bottom boats and paddle craft so that they can quietly drift into their hunting or fishing areas. These smaller boat types tend to be unstable, making them more likely to capsize than larger types of motorboats.