HookMeUpII
AH elite
I am very sorry for your loss. Waterfowl hunting from a boat is risky. My wife said it's the only hobby she still worries about with me.
I've had some really close calls. I got caught one time with a buddy, in my sneakbox, and he in is, when his motor died at the sedge. It was blowing 30-40 kts and was 32-34F. We were in contact with the USCG throughout the ordeal. We were lucky enough that I was able to tow him back. They said they would send a helo if needed but neither of us wanted that.
Another time, new to waterfowl hunting, I got out of the boat to pull it on the bank. I slipped, grabbed onto the side, with my lower half in the water, only to find that it went from 2' deep to 10' deep in a matter of a yard or so. Mind you, it was December, 4am in the morning, and not a soul in sight. I ended up drifting down the creek, holding onto the side of the boat, luckily able to pull myself in.
None of this is helped by the fact that the birds seem to cooperate best when it's damn near blowing a gale, and iced to all hell.
One the topic of ice, a buddy of mine went out only to find he was iced out of the ramp by a couple hundred yards when he returned. Thankfully, a bunch of guys found themselves in the same situation and all helped each other drag their boats over the ice back to the ramp.
