Cold water danger to duck hunters

Many duck hunters are already preparing for opening day of Minnesota's waterfowl season on Sept. 30. Unfortunately, a number of hunters will forget to pack their life jackets, noted Tim Smalley, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boating safety specialist and avid duck hunter.

"Ever since 1988 when life jackets were first required on duck boats," Smalley said, "the lack of flotation devices is still one of the most common law violations among waterfowl hunters, and the most common cause of duck hunter deaths."

DNR records indicate the law is working. In the 18 years since life jackets were first required on duck boats, 12 hunters have drowned in boating accidents.

"While 12 deaths in 18 years is 12 too many, three to six duck hunters died almost every season in the bad old days before life jackets were mandated," Smalley said.

According to U.S. Coast Guard national statistics, more hunters die every year from hypothermia and drowning than gunshot wounds. In 2005, two Minnesota hunters drowned in a single boat accident.

Apparently, the 12-foot boat they were in capsized, filling with water but not sinking. Their guns were still cased and decoys were in the boat. The men, ages 64 and 67, were both wearing life vests but they did not survive. This could be due to the effects of cold water and their inability to get out of the lake due to deep mud.

Minnesota law requires a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest for every person on duck boats. For boats 16 feet and longer, there also has to be one U.S. Coast Guard approved device in the boat that can be thrown, like a seat cushion. Seat cushions are no longer approved as primary flotation devices though, so everyone in the boat needs a wearable personal flotation device of the proper size and type.

Smalley said having a life jacket doesn't do any good if it's stuffed under the boat seat when the accident happens. "Trying to put on a life jacket during a boating accident would be like trying to buckle a seat belt during a car crash," he said.

Smalley advised hunters who have to wear waders in the boat, to practice floating in them in warm shallow water.

The Minnesota DNR offers these tips:

- wear a life jacket to and from the blind; there are now life vests available for around $35 with mesh in upper body that allows hunters to shoulder a gun

- don't overload the boat, take two trips if necessary

- learn how to float in waders and hip boats or don't wear them in the boat

- stay near the shore and avoid crossing large expanses of open water, especially in bad weather

- let someone know where you are going and when to expect your return.

"If you are near enough to a cell phone tower, its not a bad idea to bring your cell phone along in a waterproof zip lock bag to call for help if you get into trouble," Smalley said. "You can use the phone without removing it from the bag."

For hunters wishing to learn more about duck hunting boat safety, the DNR has a free publication about waterfowl hunting boat safety called "Prescription for Duck Hunters." It is available by calling the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 or toll free 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367). Computer users may download a copy from www.dnr.state.mn.us.