Who all uses a boat or kayak to access hunting spots? I have done this for years both in Indiana & Ohio and while it challenges my sanity at times there's something special about it. I will say, thanks to increased exposure on youtube, I run in to quite a bit of pressure on public lands where many others are doing this same as me. I have a 14' sea nymph with a 9.8 HP tiller control and a Nucanoe F12 that I either paddle or use a tiller trolling motor or even 2.5 Suzuki tiller. ( I prefer the trolling over outboard ) Recently, I have had greater success shore launching the kayak in hard to access areas as so many boats are using open water to get to remote hunting spots. In Indiana, we always do a end of season Muzzleloader hunt where we cook a shoreline breakfast in between drives. (one of my favorite hunts year over year) Things I have learned, safety cannot be compromised! When on the water in the dark and cold with little to no cell reception you need to be smart and plan for failure. Also, mentally, this can be a very taxing way to hunt. You can be tough as you think and when a beaver tail slaps, or a stump is hit, or a motor doesn't want to start your toughness is quickly challenged. I am wanting to focus on more spots I can simplify my approach and variables but simply paddling over needing batteries or motors but boy I miss the job boat on those cold dark mornings when I am in that kayak. Both of my boats have plenty of weight rating so I really do not get concerned over getting the deer out, I deal with that when time comes. Anybody have any pointers or interesting stories around using boats to hunt? (mostly deer/turkey I know many use this method for waterfowl as well)
Water Access
- Thread starter Tysonhunter
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Psh, I can't believe you haven't talked about being a saddle hunter yet! 
I'm a lazy hunter now. Stumble my way around until a spot looks good and I take a nap next to a tree.
I'm a lazy hunter now. Stumble my way around until a spot looks good and I take a nap next to a tree.
I do saddle hunt, but don't prefer being in a saddle, what I do prefer is only carrying sticks on my pack in/out. I can't get enough of chasing deer and adventures, it is the only thing in life I obsess over outside of my family & career.Psh, I can't believe you haven't talked about being a saddle hunter yet!
I'm a lazy hunter now. Stumble my way around until a spot looks good and I take a nap next to a tree.
Mine goes in phases. Last year was about filling the freezer and getting my youngest out of trophy hunting. He is wanting to set some tree stands this year and I haven't done that in many years. I suppose we will hang a couple and see what happens.
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I used to use a canoe a lot to access areas of a local WMA. I no longer hunt that WA. At the time I felt it was worth doing. Sorry but I don’t think I have anything of value to add. You already consider the safety aspect of it, to me that is the most important consideration. No one can swim for long while wearing insulated clothes and boots, particularly in cold water.
I love using boats to access spots. We’ve been doing it since I first started hunting and my first deer came via a boat ride to a hard to reach spot.
Over the years (especially recently) more people are doing it, but not everywhere. It seems like if it’s an easy access launch there’s pressure. If it’s a longer boat ride or paddle, there’s less pressure. Deer hunters are (mostly) lazy so they take the path of least resistance.
I’ll be both hiking in and paddling again this season and will do so as long as I’m able.
Over the years (especially recently) more people are doing it, but not everywhere. It seems like if it’s an easy access launch there’s pressure. If it’s a longer boat ride or paddle, there’s less pressure. Deer hunters are (mostly) lazy so they take the path of least resistance.
I’ll be both hiking in and paddling again this season and will do so as long as I’m able.
Definitely what I am seeing as well. That is where I feel my kayak shines over launching the jon boat. If I can shore launch or bridge launch and get to a spot a traditional boat has to work a lot to get to it seems to help.I love using boats to access spots. We’ve been doing it since I first started hunting and my first deer came via a boat ride to a hard to reach spot.
Over the years (especially recently) more people are doing it, but not everywhere. It seems like if it’s an easy access launch there’s pressure. If it’s a longer boat ride or paddle, there’s less pressure. Deer hunters are (mostly) lazy so they take the path of least resistance.
I’ll be both hiking in and paddling again this season and will do so as long as I’m able.
I believe there is still a 12ga at the bottom of a pond somewhere in SW Ohio
We have one spot on our local lake that remains to be called "bow cove" due to a canoe mishap one early morning LOL I will say this wasn't a hunt I was on but another buddy and I still call it that. I now tie everything off when I am in my kayak just in case.I believe there is still a 12ga at the bottom of a pond somewhere in SW Ohio
There is something to be said about making things harder than they need to be just to kill a deer. I don't know why I like to do it, but I do know that I like to do it. 
