Hunting from a Kayak?

[JimBuck]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with hunting waterfowl from a kayak. I've seen some pretty sweet setups for kayak hunting and have been considering picking one up for solo hunts. Most of my hunting these days is done over smaller bodies of water. I've hunted from canoes in the past, but am looking for something I can handle throwing on the roof on my own. I'd also entertain a smaller canoe but have a hard time finding something light enough to manage on my own.

Any insight or experience with hunting from kayaks would be appreciated.

[Tinkhamtown]

I hunt from a 14’ Radisson canoe (same as Sportsman) which weighs 48#. You sit on canoe floor in a foam chair with a back rest and can row it forward or backward jump shooting. Canoe has Styrofoam attached to outside gunnels and 80# Lab can go in and out of canoe without danger of tipping. Gun, shells, decoys, dog and hunters are safe and secure in this canoe.

[Tinkhamtown]

Hunt Squaw Lake and a man and his son from Grand Rapids each hunted from their own Old Town 14’ kayak in duck boat color. Very efficient they both came in with limits Saturday and Sunday opening weekend.

[JimBuck]

Thanks for chiming in Tinkhamtown. I've seen the Radisson (Sportspal) canoes before. How has it held up for you? How does it track with some wind? They seem like a nice setup and crazy light.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

http://forum.minnesotawaterfowler.com/viewtopic.php?t=22388&highlight=bender+boat

[BoxMN]

Two words... Carstens Puddler.

Best waterfowling equipment we got in a long time, though we got them a long time ago too. You won't want to take it on big water, but works awesome for a guy (I'm fat...), 2 dozen decoys, gun, Shells and lunch. We even sometimes load the Puddler into our bigger boat for a decoy setter and retreiving boat. We don't have dogs, errrr, good dogs - haha!

Also have a pintail but a bit larger and more cumbersome, but can go on bigger water and take a dog or kid easy.

[DitchPickle13]

I have an Otter "Phantom." It's a one man, layout style duck hunting kayak...it's served me well.

Weighs 55lbs, easy to drag and surprisingly stable(enough that I've never been worried paddling with me, a dozen or so decoys and my dog). They go new for $450 or so, I think. I found mine off c-list for around $200 a couple years back if I remember correctly.

[DitchPickle13]

Here's a picture of my otter phantom...

[Stringerless!]

Curious to see the responses here. I have also been kicking around the idea. At 50 years old though I am not sure if I could sit that way for very long. Might have to set up on a rat mound or something so I can get out and stretch every now and then. Of course then you risk " Taking in open water " What excactly does " partially concealed by natural vegetaion mean " anyway ? I would think a lawyer could argue that one blade of a cattail would b enough for " partial " concealment. Got threatened with a ticket once in Avery. On a bog with knee high sedges all around ! High enough to hide the jon boat.

[Tinkhamtown]

I am 66 and bought it in my 30 something. It has held up good. Rocks on Cannon River and Marsh lake Lac qui Parle jump hunts scared the bottom but it still works great. Rowing and paddling in the wind can be tough and sometimes you feel like you’re going backwards. A little work and I always have made it out and back.

Tink