The slight turn was noticeable. Their perfect V during the first pass wavered with our calls, until finally three of the birds fell out of formation, and banked into the wind. Flaps down, they slowed. While the rest of the high-altitude flight cast a suspicious eye toward our decoys, this trio was on final approach. My hunting partner was first to take a shot. The dog was anxious. The boat rocked. I couldn’t find my safety. And when I did, the remaining two were well out of range. Seconds later the dog’s torpedo-like launch to retrieve the bird shook me into the realization that the rules for hunting from a boat are very different.

Firearm Safety First
   The basic rules still apply. Always keep the firearm pointed in a safe direction. That can be quite a challenge in a small boat that may rock unexpectedly, or hit a submerged stump as you move into that thick weedline you’re using for cover. Kevin Corry, a licensed captain on the Great Lakes with 25 years of guiding experience, concurs. “Always pay very close attention to the handling of your firearm within the close quarters of a duck boat,” he said. “Always empty the firearm prior to exiting the vessel…Safety with a firearm within close quarters is no accident.”
   Treat every firearm as though it is loaded. Keep your action open, and unloaded until you’re ready to hunt.
   If you’re loading gear alone, the unloaded firearms should be put onto the boat muzzle first. With hunting partners, a single person should be onboard to accept and stow the guns safely before anyone else climbs aboard.
Non-toxic shot is mandatory for waterfowl hunting. Make sure your shotgun is recommended for its use. Pattern the shotgun before you head out with the shotshells you will be using, find its effective range with the help of an adult, and don’t take long shots that will fall short, or worse, wound a bird.
   Know your target and what is beyond, especially making sure no other hunters are downrange. Keep your eyes open during the hunt as well, to ensure no other hunters inadvertently cross or come into your shooting zone.
For two hunters in a single boat, Tennessee’s Wildlife Resources Agency says, “When duck hunting, the back-to-back position is the safest, with the zone of fire confined to a 180-degree area in front of
each hunter.”
   Don’t handle a firearm if you’ve taken medicine. Even over-the-counter cold remedies can affect a person’s judgement.
If you’re getting tired, it’s time to head in. Fatigue is one of the most common reasons mistakes are made.
   When you’re done hunting—or have taken your limit—unload your firearm and leave the action open. When you get back to the boat dock, double check that the guns are unloaded with the actions open.

Anchors Away
   While some types of hunting can take place in nasty weather, the fact that you’re hunting from a boat means added precautions are necessary. Always check weather conditions before you head out. Leave a float plan with a family member that details where you’re going, what equipment you have, and what time you plan on returning.
   “Always have a ship-to-shore radio or cell phone, and emergency kit and know how to use them if a situation would occur with the adults on the boat,” Capt. Corry said. “You may be put in a life-saving situation and it is always best to know how to react ahead of time.”
   Load the gear low in the boat, and distribute the weight evenly. Do not overload the boat.
   Adhere to all state and local boating regulations. A boat used only during duck season more than likely still needs to be registered as a watercraft by the state and carry certain safety equipment.
   Wear a personal flotation vest during the entire hunt. Try it on before you leave, making sure it fits properly and that it doesn’t keep you from mounting your shotgun correctly. Most states require everyone on board, regardless of age, to have or wear a vest as well.
   If your vest makes it hard to mount your shotgun due to its bulk, consider getting a mesh-style vest like Cabela’s Youth Comfort Mesh Flotation Vest. The thin mesh on top allows you mount the shotgun more naturally, and wearing it could save your life. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, more hunters die from drowning and hypothermia every year than gunshot wounds.
   Remember too, waterfowl hunts take place in the fall when temperatures are falling. Tim Smalley, from Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources’ Boat and Water Safety Division said, “And swimming in October is a bit more of a challenge than swimming in July. Cold water
makes it difficult for even an Olympic-class swimmer to swim more
than a few yards without a life vest.” Add boots and waders that quickly fill with water if the boat tips over, and survival often depends on your flotation vest.
   And remember your manners. Don’t block the boat ramp while loading or unloading your gear.

Dress for Success
   Odds are good it’s going to be cold, so dress in layers. Gloves are almost mandatory, but get accustomed to them before you head out so you can find the safety and trigger when that first flight arrives.
   Waterfowl also take advantage of their keen eyesight by often making several turns before heading in. If they happen to spot you, they’ll stay well out of range. That makes camouflage clothing almost a necessity, and nosing into thick cover a big advantage. Today there are also a variety of camouflage shotguns available in Realtree and Mossy Oak patterns.

Know the Law
   Hunting regulations vary by state and sometimes by county. In some areas it is against the law to shoot from an unanchored boat. Others require the watercraft be placed along or in thick cover.
   Read the rules before you head out. Know the limits and purchase the required duck stamp. Learn to identify each waterfowl species. Many species cannot be hunted, and others will have their limits change annually. Don’t guess what’s required—know what’s required.
   “Always listen to the adult you are with,” Capt. Corry emphasizes. “They have shown great confidence in you by allowing you to go on the hunt. Show them the same respect by paying attention...”
End Game

   On my first hunt all the preparation paid big dividends. Fifteen or 20 minutes later another flight appeared low on the horizon. It was a spectacular sight, dozens of birds in the early morning light skimming just along the surface. My hunting partner started to call. They turned toward the decoys.
   I thumbed the safety. Two birds swung into a windward bank. I raised the shotgun, took aim, and surrendered to a lifelong addiction to waterfowling. This fall make it your turn.