The Home From the Hunt campaign underway in North Carolina carries important safety messages for waterfowl hunters and anyone using a boat to access hunting areas during the winter. The program is sponsored by the state’s Wildlife Resources Commission.
Among the safety guidelines are to wear protective clothing and watch the weather before, and during, your trip. It’s also important to let someone know where you are hunting—and an approximate return time.
Additional boating safety tips include:
• Always wear a life vest or U.S. Coast Guard approved float coat .
• Don’t overload the boat, especially with passengers and hunting gear.
• Keep hunting dogs prone in the center of the boat.
• Never move about the boat with a loaded firearm.
In the event of capsizing or swamping, it is important to stay with the boat. It will provide some flotation and will be the initial focus of any rescue attempt.
More details are at: http://www.ncwildlife.org/News/NewsArticle/tabid/416/IndexID/8351/Default.aspx