I'm thinking my two man Jackson Big Tuna needs to become the silent stalker! Anybody else do this? My boat can support plenty enough weight, I think 650lbs or something, and would be really easy to creep hogs.
I need to make a trial run of stumping to see what it's like shooting while sitting in a kayak though.
If anybody else has experience with this please chime in.
Brent
I haven't but I saw some guys bowfishing out of a kayak on youtube. Seemed to work.
You might check RC's threads. He has hunted from a kayak and has posted quite a bit on it. Gets plenty of responses from other users.
I personally prefer a canoe, it's more stable, I'm used to it, and it will handle plenty of weight/gear. I'm also kneeling instead of sitting.
With all due respect it is my experience that a kayak, either sit in or sit on top is considerably more stable than a canoe.
i have hard kayaks as well as inflatable kayaks both are stable and the inflatable is easy for entry and exit ,i sold all my canoes.
a nice sit on top or a canoe will both do the job....kayak might be more maneuverable and stable (SOT).....but canoe will have more cargo capacity if you get the big one for the paddle home. Still water not much to worry about but add a falling tide or some heavy current or shoals and I would not recommend paddling a SOT or any kayak near capacity.
I am going to pick up a good wilderness systems or jackson fishing/hunting kayak but still prefer my Bell Northwinds for 75% of my excursions due to the ability to carry gear and game if needed better.
I hunt out of a cheap canoe. It will carry up to 800lbs. I think I paid $200 for it new and it's a good sturdy kick around canoe.
I just purchased a native ultimate 14.5 kayak that is a cross between a kayak and canoe. Tracks much better than my 12 ft aluminium canoe. Don't plan to shoot out of it just transportation.
One of my favorite photo's of a good friends bow kill from a few years ago. This guy uses them alot with great success. He said he actually paddled by this buck and got in his stand and shot him with his Jerry Hill an hour or so later from 7 yards or some such cool distance. He tells me storys all the time about paddling by deer as they watch him go buy. Ive hunted with him a few times out of them and the quiet approach makes for a cool hunt.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v239/yohon/Rossbw.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/yohon/media/Rossbw.jpg.html)
Illegal in Va to hunt anything while floating on the water other than migratory birds and fish.
The strange thing is that it is legal to shoot a deer who is swimming in the water while the shooter is on land. Illegal to do in most states I believe
Doug
I currently have a sot kayak that I use for fishing and just paddling. If I were to get a boat strictly for hunting it would be a canoe. Both have their pros and cons.
QuoteOriginally posted by Jim Wright:
With all due respect it is my experience that a kayak, either sit in or sit on top is considerably more stable than a canoe.
This always get said in defense of kayaks, but I would rather put a deer inside of a canoe than strap one to a kayak. Muddy banks make for nasty kayaks. I thinks it is a personal preference based on the hunt and body of water.
I have a 17' Folbot folding kayak. It is one of the older ones with the hypalon Hull. Has a large open cockpit. Floated out a few moose with it.
yeah many times I think the deer are used to seeing fishermen and pleasure boaters and pay no attention to the canoeist or others that hunt and use it for transportation....actually I think the closer to high traffic areas the less they pay attention...but back in the wilderness or far reaches of a tidal river they bust out of there if they see you especially if very close.
The Kayak is easier for me to load/unload so I use it the most. I do way more turkey hunting from it than deer. My canoe is aluminum which is harder to keep quiet during pre dawn landings. Although its had alot of use over the years. Bought the kayak 3 years ago used, and its green.
Yohon,
What kind of boat is your friend in? It looks a lot like a canoe. Is it a SOT kayak? If so, what make and model is it?
Thanks,
BaldingEagle
That's a great picture Yohon. Both kayak and canoe are a great way to hunt. It adds an extra adventure to each hunt.
I have had both canoes and kayaks. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, although I wouldn't want to make a generalization about either type of watercraft. A while back I sold my kayak and bought a solo canoe(15'& 48#'s). Like a lot of things it comes down to personal preference, but here is why I like the canoe over the kayak: my canoe is lighter that a similar sized kayak making it easier to carry/transport, it is easier to load gear into and out of, it can carry more gear than my kayak could, it has more seating positions which make for a more comfortable paddle, being older I found that the canoe was easier to get into and out of, my canoe probably isn't as stable as the kayak-but it is well designed and I have no trouble with it being 'tippy' and fish out of it on a regular basis with no problem. Lastly, my 70# Lab will not fit as well in a kayak, and she almost always goes with me. If I was going to pick another boat other than a canoe, and hunting, camping, and fishing were what I planned to use it for I would probably look hard at the Native Watercraft 14 1/2' Ultimate.
If you are counting on shooting from the boat, a kayak is very close to the water and you will need to cant your bow a lot, whereas you can get by with far less in a canoe. I think it is easier to shoot from a canoe. Trade offs all. A canoe will likely carry more. A kayak is sneakier.
ChuckC
Thanks for the posts so far. I'm assuming that I will not shoot while seated but rather off of my knees if I had to. The main approach to my thinking is that I would use the kayak to access areas that I would not have an opportunity to get to by any other means. The actual hunting would consist of spot and stalk once the pigs are spotted. I appreciate the ideas some of ya'll are presenting using a canoe;but, I can tell ya, that ain't happening. I got the wife to buy into the two man kayak thing because I can take my daughter in it, a canoe is totally out of the question.
I haven't hunted from it, but did just recently purchase a Native Watercraft Ultimate. As mentioned, it is a cross between a kayak and a canoe. Very stable, paddles well, and lots of room. I got the tandem model, but it easily converts to a solo set up as shown in this picture.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Kayak.jpg) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Jlasch/media/Kayak.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by Whip:
I haven't hunted from it, but did just recently purchase a Native Watercraft Ultimate. As mentioned, it is a cross between a kayak and a canoe. Very stable, paddles well, and lots of room. I got the tandem model, but it easily converts to a solo set up as shown in this picture.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y80/Jlasch/Kayak.jpg) (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/Jlasch/media/Kayak.jpg.html)
You retired guys kill me...I have a green camo one like that and it cries every time I go into the shed for the mower..."take me out like Whip does". :(
I bet you have some plans for that baby that do not include those fihing poles :thumbsup:
yeah but can you carry a weeks worth of gear in your kayak to hunt in February with temps below freezing at night? LOL
This was on PBS Member hunt for hogs in Georgia...7+ mile paddle upstream to camp with winds and a rapidly falling tide. This was me leaving for paddle downstream on final day...26*F when I pushed off with lifevest under my jacket...and all my gear. Should have left water in my jerry cans to balance load better and cooler was empty as no hog to take home. LOL
Like mentioned...both have place and will likely get a nice fishing/hunting kayak to use for day trips but love my big canoe for the long trips and heavy loads.
(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL285/1460516/24261278/405729331.jpg)
(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL285/1460516/24261278/405729372.jpg)
(http://pic40.picturetrail.com/VOL285/1460516/24261278/405697720.jpg)
I used to hunt waterfowl and after several others, I found the PokeBoat. Very light and stable. Sadly, I had to give up waterfowl and the boat went as part of such.
http://www.pokeboat.com/
I've had a bunch of Canoes over the years that I've used for hunting. Never had or used a kayak but that Native Watercraft Ultimate of Whips looks interesting.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Yew_canoe.jpg)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Armstrong%20Creek%20Buck.jpg)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Buck-in-canoe.jpg)
Ron,
Do you have an autobiography? With lots of pics?
I have a sot Tarpon t130. Great for recreation but I've been looking for a canoe. Retirement nears.... :)
I recently got an old town guide 119 I like a lot. Its kinda like the boat of Whip`s only much cheaper.
I also have a sit in yak. I use them mostly for fishing and paddling but use them as well to get me to good spots off the beaten path. I have no plans to shoot while in one. RC
you can stand in a canoe ... wouldn't try than in a kayak ... I've never done it, just dreamt about it but when I get the chance I will be going canoe.
My dream is to build the canoe, build the bow, kill the deer, eat the deer, dance.
I have a canoe and several kayaks. I have used both, a lot. A kayak is lower and sneakier and if I was gonna hunt FROM it, I would chose that and learn to shoot well from it. I also think a sit ON (I don't have one yet, but will shortly) is a better thing to consider than a sit IN version. Getting in and out of a sit in is not so easy, especially in colder weather.
To access an area, including the ability to carry things in and out, the canoe gets my nod every time. I think you would be happier with some sort of canoe.
ChuckC
RC said
QuoteI recently got an old town guide 119 I like a lot. Its kinda like the boat of Whip`s only much cheaper.
(http://www.riverbassin.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Guide_119.jpg)
LittleBen - I stand up and fly fish in my kayak! Also let my 3 year old walk around and play at will if she wants in it. You might be thinking of a different type of kayak. My final decision was between the Native Ultimate tandem and the Big Tuna. I choose the Big Tuna b/c it is a true kayak and has scuppers that allow it to self bail and the Ultimate does not. Can't take that chance with a small child.
Thanks for all the other comments.
I'm pretty stoked that Ron LaClair responded to my post! Thanks Ron! I have a ton of admiration and respect for you.
If you are using it 100% for trad hunting, go trad with the canoe.
If it will serve the dual purpose of fishing with an occasional hunt for deer or other animals, take your pick. BTW, that Native sure does look like the cat meow in multitasking!
(http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq354/jandy2225/007.jpg) (http://s463.photobucket.com/user/jandy2225/media/007.jpg.html)
That Old town in Ron's post looks like the ticket. I have both a Canoe and a Fishing Kayak and have not hunted from them although it would be a blast. I made out riggers for my canoe for bowfishing.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=122184;p=1#000000
My dream is to build the canoe, build the bow, kill the deer, eat the deer, dance. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Now this sounds like a plan!!!!!
I use a 17,5' wood and canvas canoe. I weights 74 pounds. Much quiter than aluminum and fiberglass and tougher than you might expect. It will easily carry 800 pounds. Of course I'm used to it so it's very stable. Great to fly fish out of it also. Northern White Cedar and canvas, just like the old Maine guide canoes of another time.
What makes it even better, I built it myself. I'm in the process of finishing up another form for myself. Heck, I just might end up with a fleet of these canoes. They are kinda like bows, a guy can't have to many!!!!!!
I did take the factory seat out of my 119 and put a seat a bit lower and toward the middle some. Made the boat much more stable.There is a thread somewhere here about that. Right now I`m busy trying to fill the freezer with fish.RC
Get a 14.5' native watercraft like Whip showed in his picture. You won't regret it one bit!
I have a 16.5 Nativecraft that is just fantastic. It's a tandem but you can run it solo and carry way more than you need or float a deer or bear with no problem!