Been thinking bout getting a yak for hunting the wma`s around here on rivers. Due to drought the last few years I could hardly run my boat. Any of you fells use a kayak and what should I look for in one for carrying a small amount of gear and bow and arrows of course.Would use it for fishing as well.Anyone got pics of one.RC
One of the best made for hunting and fishig is calded a walden scout (castlecraft.com/kayaks. i've searched them out and it looks pretty highly rated. it runs about $600 or so. There are pics on their web site. There are various other makes that run anywhere from $500 to $1500. i'm looking seriously at getting rid of my canoe to try one of these during the upcoming season. it looks like it could be fun or a "cluster..." as we say in middle georgia.
http://www.alpackaraft.com/index.cfm?section=tips-and-technique&page=Choosing-and-Outfitting-Your-Raft&viewpost=2&ContentId=2639
Now those are some serious boats!
I just read an atricle recently about a guy hunting bears using a Kayak. I think it was in a recent TBM. He did it all from the kayak, including packing out the meat. It was pretty cool.
How do you transition from paddling to shooting without the game spooking?
Or is it just a paddle in get out hunt then paddle back?
Wilderness Systems (http://www.wildernesssystems.com/) make some really nice boats for a decent price.
I have a Pamlico 120 and am very happy with it. It should serve you pretty well. It's very stable, can be fitted with a rudder, has a large cockpit and plenty of storage space and can be had for under $600. It's even rated for some mild whitewater. There are faster boats and prettier boats but the Pamlico is a real workhorse and a great boat for general use be it just tooling around, fishing or hunting.
Rc, i too have been thinking of a kyak or canoe for reaching some unpressured whitetails. i am looking at a hybrid right now that i might make. check out burlycanoes.com and check out the "wee lassie 2" the lightweight of a kyak and more storage of a canoe...
Most shallow draft fishing kayaks w/ a planing type hull designed for poling in shallow water will have little capacity to handle any weight. Much more than your own bodyweight and it will be PITA as you'll be dragging the slug down the river. A well designed displacement hull canoe w/ a seasoned pilot can manage some fairly low water while having the capacity to carry gear in both bulk and in weight. I'm a veteran whitewater canoeist, kayaker and squirt boater who has covered many miles in all kinds of water. I use a 16foot Dagger Legend which is designed for whitewater but it will also handle tight situations in lower water while hauling a good deal of gear and game. It is not a super stable platform for standing while fishing but it will get me and my stuff through most any situation involving water. If it is not enough water to get my canoe and load down river, there will not be enough water to get your fishing kayak and load down river.
Daddy Bear
I have had quite a few kayaks, both sit-on-top and closed cockpit. My kayak inventory is now one boat, a dedicated sea kayak - 17'8" Current Designs Caribou S. This boat is awesome for long distance trips and fishing the Gulf, but it is not my hunting boat. My hunting boat is a Bell Magic 16' in Kevlar ultralight layup. Not as fast as the kayak, but a pretty darn fast canoe. Used this boat last year to get my stand and gear into river swamp Apalachicola forest hunting areas and was pretty happy w/it. I cannot imagine trying to get a stand and gear into these areas in a kayak. Wouldn't work for me. Good luck if you kill one with getting it out in a kayak. Once again we're talking personal pref, but I've hunted and fished enough w/small boats to know what I like. Check out fast solo canoes for hunting is my advice. Tge
I have had quite a few kayaks and other small canoes, etc..
My hunting float boat is a Poke boat. I use it deer, duck, and goose hunting. I can stand up it it if I'm careful, and I can bring the dog if I need too.
I have a maxi poke boat that I bought used.
http://www.pokeboat.com/
I would think that a canoe might be a better choice. Don't get me wrong, I really love my kayak but it would be a chore to haul a deer on it. I don't think the gear would be any problem but packing a critter out could be troublesome.
Those Poke boats look pretty cool. I've never heard of them. Man are they light!
John those Alpackas look real nifty!
Why don't you tell us a bit about your experience with them...which one do you own?
Phil
I own a Ocean Kayak Prowler in 13'. It is available in Olive green. It is a sit-on-top model which I like because the entire hull is essentially seald and if you would happen to roll the boat won't take on any water. It is stable enough to shoot 12 gauge super mags out of at passing ducks and geese. I use it fish out of as well and I beleive it is a great craft. Keep in mind a longer craft glides better and you'll get around better but a shorter boat is more manueverable. I plan on hunting a couple of islands on the Susquehanna this year for deer. I used my boat as a duck hunting platform last year and it worked great. Incidentally while drifting down creeks trying to jump shoot ducks I got pretty close to within bow range on a few whitetails. I may further explore this potential at some point.
Sorry I kind of rambled on with no specific direction. PM me if you like as I can talk yaks for quite a while.
Greg
I guide trips on the Allagash waterway up here in Maine and I would have to put in another vote for a canoe. Way more versatile, especially with meat on the ground, plus if you want to go in and place stands or camp and hunt, you'll have the capacity to carry your gear and a deer or bear.
Phil, I don't currently own an Alpacka. One of my best friends up in Anchorage owns one and uses it to run whitewater. He's an animal - rock climber, big wall ice climber, marathon runner, competitive skier, Class IV and V kayaker, etc. He has lots of outdoor experience and when HE says that the Alpacka rafts are serious pieces of equipment I listen.
I'm thinking about getting one because the high-mountain valley where I moose hunt has a braided stream that runs through it. If I take a moose upstream from the landing strip I can carry a 5# inflatable raft/boat and then use it to line heavy loads of meat downstream back to camp. At least that's the idea I am considering.
i own a Malibu X-factor. it is 14 1/2 feet long and 32 inches wide. holds 600 pounds with enought storage for everything. easily can haul out a deer with it plus all your gear. it is extreamly stable and will paddle better them a canoe. i hate canoes so i dont one to be one sided. This is a sit-on-top style yak so it is much eaiser to get in and out of. good luck.
I have a wilderness sytems Ride. Very wide and stable. I can stand and cast when I flyfish for reds on the flats. Could easily hold a small deer. it's a sit-on-top, easy to beach and get out of quickly
I've been thinking the same thing Robert. Like you, I usually haul them out on my back. I think a sit on top model would serve well. Let me know what you come up with.
Take care, Marty
If you want a really good expedition quality kayak/canoe that are extremely stable I suggest looking at a Kruger.
http://www.KRUGERCANOES.com/
you don't need one at my place!!! just come up and help me do what you do!
by the way--now i think a pair of good waders will do better than anything in the river!
been wantin one also but too poor
If you are dead set on a kayak go with the Hobie Outback. The Hobies use a pedal, not a paddle system to propel you through the water. I have the longer Revolution for fishing the ocean kelp beds in San Diego. I have used both the Outback and the Revolution for hunting ducks. I agree though that a canoe is a better option than a kayak becuase you are able to hold more gear/kill than a kayak.
RC(hawgmaster) - I had a canoe. It was about a 75 pounder - to heavy for me to handle loading/unloading/walking to the water comfortably by myself.
I sold it and bought me a Wilderness Pungo 12 foot Kayak so I could paddle by myself and be able to load/unload the boat by myself. Also so I can carry it a hundred yards or more to launch it in out of the way places. . I think it weighs 30 some pounds..It had a fishing 'kit' added to it - rod holder, cool little anchor and paddle holders. I've used it in lakes, rivers, mild whitewater and the sounds with no problems. I know a guy who uses his to play in the surf with. It's very stable - you can't hardly turn it over if you tried.
You will get a little wet using kayak paddles. For you kayak experts, maybe I don't know what I'm doing is why I get a little wet... But, you could get a cockpit cover(thats what I call it) to help seal where you sit so you won't get wet.
I think a Kayak would be just the ticket to slowly easing along some of these low rivers and listening for hogs. Also doesn't take much water to paddle in. It's also a hoot to fish out of..Let us know what you do...
Thanks Guys, I`m wanting something just for me to be in. Any critter I kill then or now for that matter I bone out and put in a backpack and with these south Ga. critters rarely will you have more than 75lbs of meat unless you kill`m two at the time like Marty does..I want something I can move on land easily because there are some awsome oxbow lakes close to the rivers I fish that you will not get a boat in any other way.I plan on finding some around here somewhere I can try out but I would really like to be able to paddle upstream a short distance and I`m thinking a canoe would`nt work too good. I also would like to get some "game" stickbowman together and plan a two or three day river trip.We could park a truck or two at the end of the trip location and hunt some very prime critter country for a couple of days camping on islands in between. Just a thought.I`m basically wanting an affordable 'Alaskan" adventure right here at home.We ain`t got Moose but we got swamp rhinos.RC
RC, I like your attitude ..."swamp rhino" and all.
No one has mentioned the SPORTSPAL canoe. It is light and has large capacity. It has extra rollover protection with the sponsons on the outer edge. You can stand in it to fish....
http://www.bwmarineproducts.com/canoes.htm
http://www.meyersboat.com/sportspal/
either company might be worth a look...
How about a pirouge? web page (http://www.unclejohns.com/skiff/wooden_boat_kits.htm)
I have one that is only 12'. It takes a little getting used to but I have never turned it over. I have fished out of it a lot in small ponds and swamps. Can go in about 4" of water.
RC, you should think about building your own. I can truthfully say that it is easier than building a bow. (just takes a little longer :-))
Here is one called the Mill Creek 13'. You can totally customize it the way that you want with electronics, dry storage, sailrig and more. draft of just a few inches, 36 lbs. , carries 350-400lbs. I have built 3 mill creeks for other people but I plan on building another one for myself sometime soon, for the exact reason and hunt that you are describing. The open cockpit makes these much more practical for flat water paddling, but they still have a skirt if it gets nasty.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/millcreek13.jpg)
The boat below is my first boat, still paddling it. built 15 years ago, 18ft,60lbs, still in great condition.
Ill be taking it to blackbeard island again this december. Its not the best for operating in very tight quarters but unbeatable when you get in the rougher stuff.
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/IMG_7476.jpg)
fully loaded with 120# of camping/hunting gear.*6 days worth)
(http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y120/cadyak/IMG_7478.jpg)
the killer combo, camping, paddling, fishing, hunting.
I am waiting on a Jackson Kayak Day Tripper 10.
http://www.jacksonrec.com/
THis is a great thread. I have always entertained the thought of a boat trip for hunting and I have followed this thread with interest.
Phil, that is a very interesting design on the jacksonrec. Be sure to tell us how you like it.
It all depends on what you are hunting. If it is big game, I would think a canoe is what you should use. Kayaks just don't have enough room for hauling anything large. I have a Chesapeake kayak like Brent D's and have done a good bit of fishing with it. But now my 4-yr-old boy is getting interested in fishing and boats. For that I have an old wood and canvas 16 foot canoe. It take a little work to handle it solo, but it can easily carry a few hundred pounds. You can't beat a kayak for speed and there is good storage space under the decks. But there is little room for moving around on the water or hauling large bulky items, such as deer, etc.
Originally kayaks were for hunting with atlatls being used for throwing darts and less often heavier spears. Eventually guns were used from kayaks. Bows were not used for hunting from native kayaks. One of the best native kayaks is this one , should be able to fit 400lbs of walrus meat in it no problem
http://www.traditionalkayaks.com/Kayakreplicas/1938YKdelta.html
If I were to use a kayak for shooting a bow from then it would be wide , stable , have an open cockpit. Sounds a lot like a canoe!
Thanks fellas. I`m not gonna be shooting from the boat just gaining access to remote hunting spots and having a buch of fun .RC
I hear yea RC, that what I would like to do also. IF these dang gas prices every go down I might be able to save for boat.
I took the front seat out of my Old Town Loon, works pretty good, next on my list is a Mokai, basically a jet kayak, uses a 5hp Honda.
Old town predator 11 foot canoe... i cant see a kayak working too well for hunting but i have hunted many times out of a canoe.canoes are also more stable
Keep in mind that many of the hunting kayaks (such as the custom kayak used for the bear hunt that was in TBM) are moreso decked canoes by design and share the same basic characteristics of their displacement hull canoe cousins. These are far different to the planing hull plastic kayaks designed for shallow draft which will have little to no load capacity beyond that of the pilot. I'm of the opinion they'd be worthless for big game hunting.
Other than navigating open sea (such as the bear hunt in TBM), you would be better served choosing a well designed canoe for hunting big game in out of the way places. I've lost count how many times I've been quickly hit by foul weather and I cherished my ability to flip my canoe along shore to make an immediate temporary shelter for me and my gear. This ability alone trumps any benefit of a closed deck. If having a deck over the canoe is needed for whatever reason in fresh water, you can easily install a removeable sray deck. Though I see no reason as a good open canoe design w/ a good pilot would have little difficulty navigating most any whitewater you'll ever encounter on a big game hunt. The open sea is a different story.
Daddy Bear
I have a Loon 138 kayak and a Mohawk 16' rolex canoe. They both have there strong points but for hunting, I would go with the canoe. Old Town made a solo model a while back and that sounds about perfect for what you want it for. Then again, I read about the guys out west who fish thrasher sharks out of kayaks. Talk about a ride and a half! Buy time you land a big thrasher, you may be miles out at sea and need to get the fish up on the front of the yak before heading back to shore. Dragging a big fish behind a yak will be like running in 2 ft of mud! Guess pulling a raft behind a yak would work in a pinch.
JL
JL
I like the looks of the walden scout, that is a nice kayak. Would like to try a kayak for unting, around here be good for slippin (or drowning!)
J
Daddy Bear, I can attest to what you said about weather, spent most of my life on ocean and rivers, though I still like the looks of the walden boat. Thought about the canoe thing to, but in the rivers I dont think either one would be cool with weather inbound.
I have NO experience, period, with either, keep that in mind! I am used to having more boat under my backside than a canoe or kayak :D . But for many places I go you have to drag in a boat to get to the good creeks, do you think a kayak would be better for that?
It is something I would like to try though,
J
this one came up when looking for a kayak to do some photography out of... don't own one but these would get a serious look.
http://madrivercanoe.com/
Here are two that I've been looking at for a long time but just haven't gotten around to attempting.
http://www.unclejohns.com/boat/default.htm
The first page here looks like an overly simplified plywood boat which it is but click on the link for "photos from builders" about halfway down the page to get an idea what can be done to spruce up the basic design.
http://www.pygmyboats.com/
This link is to the site home page also but take the time to look around at the different models available and the step by step build alongs. These are very high quality kits with plenty of options to choose from.
If you like trad archery and building your own stuff, these small wooden boat projects should be right up your alley.
Brent, those home built kayaks are awesome!! I'd love to see more pictures.
Those Malibu kayaks are very intriguing. 600lb capacity and it looks like you can actualy stand on them. I'd love to be able to bowfish from my kayak.
I may have to look into one of those.
I use a Heritage Redfish 12' for fly-fishing
in the Everglades. It is very stable, weighs 58#.
and would be cabable of hauling out a field dressed deer. I'm going to try it this fall to access some remote areas in the Big Cypress forest.
I personally would not feel confident shooting accurately from it. I would need to get out and then hunt.
I have been thinking about useing my OLDTOWN tandem kayak. IF it can carry me and my wife it should be able to take me ,camping gear for a long weekend. Should have room for bow,qiver, and a boned out deer if I got lucky! In the Adk. mountains it would get you away from the crowds real quick.
IVE HAD A POKE BOAT FOR OVER 10 YRS. AND HAVE DONE A LOT OF FISHING AND DUCK HUNTING FROM IT.iT CARRIES AND DRAGS EASY AT ABOUT 30 LBS.
Rick