The legality of waterfowl fishing on board the boat is a concern for anyone planning a fall duck hunt. The responsibility for breaking the rules can be enormous, including forfeiture of property and banning hunting. In this article, we will examine the legal framework, technical nuances and tactics.
It should be noted that the Russian legislation does not prohibit the fact of shooting from a boat, but there are some strict restrictions regarding the condition of the engine, time of day and mode of movement. Ignoring these norms Turns the hunter into a poacher with all the consequences.
The success of the event depends not only on the accuracy of the shooter, but also on the correct preparation of the vessel. PVC boats Or metal boats require a special approach to installing equipment, and balance, stability and quietness must be considered so as not to scare the cautious bird.
Legislative aspects and rules of GIMS
The main document regulating this type of activity is the “Rules of hunting”, approved by the order of the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, according to paragraph 52.1, hunting waterfowl using waterfowl. small-boat This is only allowed if the engine is turned off, which means that you can only fire from a drifting or anchored vessel.
It is important to distinguish between hunting and finding a place, and it is forbidden to swim to a group of birds on the motor to select a position during daylight hours. GIME The engine can only be used to approach the site, after which it must be completely stopped.
⚠️ Warning: Shooting from a moving vessel (on the move) is strictly prohibited, a gross violation that carries administrative responsibility and the risk of injury due to platform instability.
There are also restrictions on the use of engines of certain power in hunting grounds, some regions have local bans on the use of internal combustion engines during the spawning season of fish or in protected areas. regional restrictions a particular body of water.
You should pay special attention to the documents, which are always a hunting ticket, a permit, a weapons permit and a motorized boat, and the absence of any of them is equivalent to violation of hunting rules.
Fines for violations
Fines for hunting with violations can reach tens of thousands of rubles, in addition to monetary penalties, it is possible to arrest the mining tools (boat, motor, weapons) for a period until the end of the case.
Choice of floating craft: PVC or Metal?
The choice of the material of the case directly affects the comfort and efficiency of hunting. Inflatable boats PVC (polyvinyl chloride) has the main advantage of being silent, and when you touch a reed or branch, the sound is deaf and does not scare the bird as much as the sound of metal.
Metal boats, often called Kazankas or collars, are more durable and resistant to punctures on sharp edges of ice or driftwood, but they require careful preparation: pasting the bottom and sides. carpet Or noise-reduction rubber, otherwise any careless step would echo across the water.
The size of the vessel also matters: 3.2-3.6 meters are optimal for solo hunting, and larger vessels are more difficult to mask in the cane thickets. Sustainable The platform is critical, as the hunter often has to make sharp movements, throwing a gun.
- 🦆 PVC: It is easier to mask, but afraid of sharp objects and sparks from the shot.
- ⚓ Aluminum: stronger, more resistant to loads, but require sound insulation and careful painting.
- 🌊 Flat bottom: Ideal for shallow water and overgrown areas where game often sits.
outboard motor requirements
The motor for a hunting boat must be reliable, economical and, most importantly, quiet. four-stroke motors two-stroke analogues are preferred due to the lower noise level and the absence of the need to mix oil with gasoline.
Engine power is rarely a priority. Most hunting tasks require 5 to 9.9 hp, which allows you to get to the place quickly without overloading the boat. More powerful units create a strong wave that can destroy the installed. stuffed Or turn a light boat over in a sharp maneuver.
An important aspect is the start-up system. The electric starter is convenient, but the manual starter is more reliable in cold autumn and damp conditions. gearbox The motor must be protected from overgrown grass if hunting takes place in shallow bays.
⚠️ Warning: Never leave a working engine unattended, even at idle speeds. Vibration can displace the boat, and the rope of the roumple can become entangled, leading to uncontrolled movement of the vessel.
And in a stealthy way, many hunters use electric motors, which are completely silent and have no exhaust gases, so they can sneak up on the bird as close as possible, but their autonomy is limited by the capacity of the battery.
Equipment and equipment for hunting from the water
The kit of a hunting boat requires a systematic approach, and in addition to the mandatory life jacket, you need to provide space for attaching the gun, ammunition and stuffed animals. Shelves for stuffed animals must be securely fixed so as not to fall overboard when moving along the wave.
The anchor system is critical. Using one anchor often leads to the boat turning sideways to the wind, which is inconvenient for firing. The correct scheme is two anchors (stern and bow) that allow the boat to be firmly fixed in the desired position. The anchor shaft should be 3-4 times the depth of the reservoir.
To store the game, it is better to use special sealers or net cages attached to the side, which will keep the meat fresh and avoid the specific smell in the boat. Hermetic cases For cartridges and telephones are also mandatory, as the risk of water is high.
☑️ Hunter's gear
The camouflage paint or special camouflage nets help the boat blend into the surrounding landscape. Glare. from metal or bright plastic can alert the bird, so matte tones are preferable.
Shooting tactics and safety on the water
Boat hunting requires excellent coordination and understanding of ballistics, and firing from an unstable platform has its own specifications. Boat roll When you throw a gun, it can lead to a miss or, worse, to a shot in the water in dangerous proximity to your partners.
Safety is paramount: it is strictly forbidden to transfer a loaded gun over the side or over the head of a partner; all manipulation of a weapon is carried out only when the barrel is pointed to the safe side (up or into the water if the shore is far).
When hunting in a group, you need to clearly agree on the sectors of fire, boats should not be in the line of fire of each other, the optimal distance between the boats is at least 40-50 meters, to eliminate the risk of hitting the neighbor with shots.
| Parameter | Single hunting | Hunting in a group |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | Maximum disguise | Sectoral harmonization |
| Position | Strictly in the wind. | Chess order. |
| Equipment | Minimum of things. | Communications |
| Risk | Overturning | Injury to a partner |
Use a float-holder for a gun, and if you drop a weapon in the water during a splash or a sudden movement, a special design will prevent it from drowning.
Shooting a low-flying bird over water is dangerous, as the shot can ricochet and injure the shooter or partner, and the angle of entry of the shot into the water should be as gentle as possible to avoid rebound.
Frequent Mistakes of Beginner Hunters
One of the most common mistakes is to overload a boat, and the desire to take more stuff, stuffed things and trophies often leads to the fact that the boat is overloaded. waterline It goes down critically low, and even a small wave can cause water to get in and lose stability.
The second common mistake is neglecting weather conditions, and going out into the open water in a storm in a light inflatable boat is a direct path to tragedy. Weather. The water is changing rapidly and the return may become impossible due to the high wave.
Also, beginners often forget about fixing things: a gun that slips to the bottom of the boat can accidentally shoot when it falls or be lost. All objects must have their places and attachments.
⚠️ Warning: Never stand in a boat while driving or when fired unless it is a special high platform. A sudden movement or shot may cause the vessel to tip over.
The main principle of hunting from a boat is safety more important than prey. It is better to be without a trophy than risk life on the water.
Post-season maintenance
After the hunting season is over, the boat and the motor must be mothballed, and salt water or just river water is aggressive to materials. aluminum is subject to oxidation, and PVC is exposed to ultraviolet and mold when stored incorrectly.
The motor should be washed with fresh water, drained from the carburetor (for two-stroke) or stabilized in the tank (for four-stroke).
The boat must be thoroughly washed, dried and folded in a free state, without strong cloth cloth cloth cloths. Metal boats require the integrity of the painting and the treatment of chipped with anticor. Storage It should be held in a dry, ventilated room protected from rodents.
Can I shoot from a boat at night?
According to the general rules of hunting in Russia, hunting waterfowl at night is prohibited, night hunting is allowed only for certain species of animals (for example, ungulates) and using thermal imagers, but not for ducks from water.
Do you need a special permit to hunt from a motorboat?
There is no separate permit for “hunting from a motorboat”, however, the boat itself must be registered with the GIMS (if the engine power exceeds 8 kW or the weight of the boat is more than 200 kg), and the engine must have the appropriate documents, and the hunter must have a valid permit for storing and carrying weapons and a permit to hunt.
What is the minimum height of the gun safe to shoot?
The recommended height above the water (taking into account the landing of the hunter) should be at least 30-40 cm for stability. However, it is not the height that matters, but the width of the boat and the correct weight distribution. A narrow boat with high sides is less stable than a wide and low one.
Is the use of electric motors allowed?
Yes, electric traction motors are fully permitted and even encouraged, as they do not disturb the silence or pollute the water, and are not subject to power restrictions in quiet areas, unless prohibited by specific rules of fishing during spawning.