Wes Littlefield 11.19.24
As I glided throughout the water, I appeared invisible to them. The deer appeared up at me and casually put their heads again all the way down to browse. Shocked by their lack of response, I continued to paddle, beached my kayak, and started unloading my gear for the stalk. My introduction to kayaks was at a younger age. We at all times had a kayak or canoe for fishing and looking. So, due to my dad, I used to be already forward of the curve when the kayak looking craze hit the looking and fishing communities through the pandemic. Now that the preliminary rush has settled, hunters must be reminded of why looking from a kayak is value it. So, I compiled an inventory of 5 causes to hunt out of a kayak this season.
1. Kayak Searching can attain Locations different Modes of Transportation Can’t
There are many unreachable public looking lands as a result of they’re bordered by water and personal land. Utilizing a ship, akin to a kayak, is a straightforward strategy to attain these areas. Whereas a ship is nice, a kayak can get additional again into the shallow creeks, permitting you to hunt deer that others can not attain with out rather more effort.
A kayak can be extremely helpful if you happen to hunt personal land (with a creek or different physique of water) as a result of you need to use it to cut back the quantity of your scent tracked via the woods and arrange in locations you couldn’t in any other case with out bumping deer.
The advantages of looking areas that lack strain are value investing in a kayak alone, so I might finish the article right here, however I consider the opposite 4 causes are important, too.
2. Kayak Searching is extra Stealthy
A ship motor is obnoxiously loud, alerting each animal for miles round that you just (the predator) are close by. At one time, I assumed operating a mud motor on my kayak was a good suggestion, however I not do, so I may be extra stealthy.
I nonetheless use a trolling or electrical motor designed for my kayaks, however they’re just about silent, particularly in comparison with the gas-powered outboard motor on my boat.
It’s additionally simpler to mix in whereas duck looking from a kayak. There are kayak blinds you should buy, or you may construct your personal to vanish. You don’t have to fret about hiding a giant boat as a result of brushing in a kayak is way much less difficult.
Attending to your spot by way of a kayak additionally means you unfold much less of your scent via the woods and scare fewer animals. Spreading your scent is unavoidable, however a kayak is much less smelly than a gas-powered boat, and the water helps dilute your scent.
This elevated stealth means the animals aren’t on excessive alert as I method, giving me a bonus. I’m searching for each edge I can get, and looking from a kayak offers me many benefits.
3. Kayak Searching is extra Versatile
I’ve briefly touched on how versatile a kayak may be, however let’s buckle down on this level. A kayak can be utilized to hunt practically any sport animal.
It may be so simple as utilizing a kayak to cross the creek whereas turkey or hog looking. I had a number of hunts when the water was too deep to wade throughout, and I refused to swim within the chilly water. Not having a kayak on these hunts undoubtedly value me.
As I’ve already talked about, kayaks are sometimes used to achieve spots. It’s so simple as loading your gear into the yak and paddling throughout the physique of water near your stand or blind.
You can even hunt from the kayak. That is primarily for waterfowl hunters (but when your state permits it, deer hunters may also attempt it); it takes a while to get used to it and iron out the way you need the kayak rigged. Nonetheless, it’s one among my favourite methods to duck hunt as a result of it opens up extra locations to arrange the unfold.
Keep in mind, a kayak is one other device so as to add to your looking package to extend your possibilities of a profitable hunt, so don’t be restricted by the concepts I’ve mentioned (they’re merely solutions).
4. Kayak Searching Makes you extra Adventurous
I’ve a way more adventurous facet than my spouse. She prefers the comforts of spending time inside, whereas I’m extra apt to courageous the weather, which is smart why I really like looking from a kayak.
You’re extra uncovered to the weather, nearer to the water, and spending extra time in distant places whereas looking from a kayak. So, it’s the one method (that is the way in which) if you happen to’re an journey seeker like me.
Nonetheless, elevated hazard comes hand-in-hand with extra journey. Whereas utilizing a kayak, you’re extra prone to get moist (a horrible mixture with the chilly), and the wind is rather more of an element, particularly on bigger water our bodies. It’s additionally rather more work, unloading and loading the yak and paddling to your spot.
I’m not attempting to scare you away from kayak looking, however you ought to be conscious of the elevated risks and be ready to face them. All the time put on your life vest and waterproof clothes/gear is finest. You also needs to control the wind and climate and by no means place your self in a dangerous scenario, as no journey is value your life.
5. Kayak Searching Connects us to the Previous
Now, possibly I’m simply being too nostalgic, however utilizing a kayak (even the trendy plastic yaks) connects me to my ancestors. I’ve a Native American background, which makes looking from a kayak a bit of extra sentimental.
Even if you happen to don’t have Native American ancestors, many different individuals teams used small boats for looking expeditions, and you may nonetheless expertise what it was wish to hunt again within the day.
Searching from a kayak has helped me recognize how simple we’ve got it with our fashionable looking conveniences and offers a extra profound reference to the hunters who got here earlier than me.
I would by no means know all of the challenges and successes they skilled, however I can do my half to make sure the kayak looking heritage continues.
