Hunting from a kayak

[Doyle26]

I've never hunted in a water craft. Looking to invest in a kayak for hunting, camping, fishing. All around everything kind of thing. I've done some research I belive I have narrowed it down to 3 the Ascend FS10 sit-in Angler Kayak, Beavertail Stealth 1200, or the X-Factor. When I'm hunting I will be shooting my shotgun. I want stability. I was hoping some one here could help me out on what to look for and give me some advice. Thanks in advance. 

 

 

--Doyle--

[Angry John]

I have a nucanoe and they are a great boat.  I have not hunted out of mine but they have a blind ready made that you can get from them.  I stand and frog fish from mine and have never fell in the water yet fingers crossed.

http://www.nucanoe.com/hunting/

[clayton86]

Haven't hunted from any of the ones you mentioned but I did a bunch of diver duck hunting from my ATAK 140. It's a blast I might set up my ATAK just for hunting and rig the new radar for fishing. 

[Clinton john]

I haven't hunted out of none you listed and haven't hunted from a small boat in a few years but when I did I loved my fourrivers ebads, even would bass fish out of it.

 

Best tip is too buy you a life jacket like helicopter pilots where that way it doesn't get in the way of the gun and also down size your shells and gun to help with the boat rocking when you let off a shot and also try to set  up so your shots or just to the left side of the bow if your right handed.

 

If there is any more info you think you need let me know I can try and give you more help.

[HeavyDluxe]

Hunted out of a WS Ride 115 this past year - my first year hunting, hunting waterfowl, and hunting out a kayak.  It's a great platform to get back into some great spots.

 

Here's what I'd say:

1. If you can, PADDLE, PADDLE, PADDLE.  Try out boats as much as you can before picking what you might want to buy.  You'll be surprised how different each of those boats 'feels' and how something you never would've thought of in one boat will appeal to you or irritate you.  Nothing beats time on the water to decide between boats.
2. For a hunting platform, look for stability first in the platform...  I'm a big guy, and so stability mattered for my fishing, but it matters more for hunting.  The movements I'm making tracking a bird, turning/leaning, to say nothing of the recoil of the firearm meant that I felt (and worried about) every little wiggle of the boat more than I did fishing.  Plus, you're usually hauling more/heavier gear if you're hunting (esp for waterfowl) than you are when you're fishing.

I'd strongly recommend a look at the WS Ride, Tarpon, or ATAK series boats... Other major brands (Jackson, Old Town, etc etc) have boats in the same price/feature class.  While the lesser known brands are fine, you should consider the 'buy once, cry once' principle if you can.

 

Happy to answer any direct questions that might be helpful to you... This past year was the first time hitting it really hard for both fishing and hunting.  And I can't wait for more. 

[fisherrw]

I've hunted out of my kayak for geese gives you a good advantage becuse you are so low to the water and they are not as scared of you