Life Jackets and waterfowl hunting

Because #Sickforit doesn’t make a life jacket

Depends on where I’m hunting if I wear one or not. When I would hunt Venice I wore one but in timber or a certain lake I hunt, I don’t wear one.

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How many of you duck hunters wear a PFD while running to and from the blind?

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After flipping a boat in Felsenthal NWR duck hunting one morning in 30 degree weather while wearing waders, no PFD, and no kill switch, I came danger close to biting the dust. I learned several lessons that day and one is never be under way in a boat without a PFD on.

I have kids now and wear a life jacket, don’t be stupid.

Same here. A combination of getting a bit older and having children, I’m a regular Boy Scout in the boat compared to how I was in my teens and early 20’s.

It doesn’t really matter how deep the water is. If you’re knocked unconscious the jacket can upright your body so that you don’t drown in shallow water.

I wear and PFD and engine kill lanyard religiously now. I am a very good/strong swimmer... Like hold records good. But you can't swim if you're unconscious or injured. And cold arse water in the dark with a pile of clothes and boots on makes for tough swimming. Then to top it off my son hunts with me now and his safety is top priority.

Wear the damn PFD. Just like a tree stand harness. Doesn't decrease your manliness. But being in a motorized chair having some pump breathing for you and being fed through a tube sure as hell does.

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I wear and PFD and engine kill lanyard religiously now. I am a very good/strong swimmer... Like hold records good. But you can't swim if you're unconscious or injured. And cold arse water in the dark with a pile of clothes and boots on makes for tough swimming. Then to top it off my son hunts with me now and his safety is top priority. Wear the damn PFD. Just like a tree stand harness. Doesn't decrease your manliness. But being in a motorized chair having some pump breathing for you and being fed through a tube sure as hell does.

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Wisest word on thread...... I made it through a pretty intense water survival course

I wear a Pfd. Especially after getting dunked unexpectedly 20 years ago.....with waders on and I swam a pretty far distance to get back to the boat gliding across a small bay due to wind

I’m impressed by the responses of people wearing PFDs, obviously you all don’t hunt in my area. So for those that don’t wear them, why not? Comfort, bulkiness, looks, etc.... I have an inflatable one, but I find that the damn thing is so incomfortable on my neck when wearing a heavier jacket. I haven’t tried a float coat, not sure how warm they are and or bulky.

IMO float coat is the best answer/option in the winter etc