On Using Canoes

[348Winchester]

Anyone ever use canoes to access remote spots that are otherwise isolated or at least inaccessable without crossing over private land?

Very near my home is a huge block of public land that follows a large creek on either side. Access to the area is limited if you're on foot. There are few roads except private ones. The private land is all leased and posted. My plan is to canoe into the public land which is sandwiched between the private lands. This is rugged country! Camping along the creek bottom and hunting, stillhunting and posting according to terrain and weather conditions, the laurel thickets and hardwoods that lie south and east of the creek. It is unlikely there will be much hunting pressure save for the few hardy hunters willing to leave their food plots on the private lands.

 

[plinker22]

I bought a kayak to use for this reason. Quickly realized I did not want in that kayak with stand... bow... and possibly a dead deer. Never hunted with it.

A canoe would be much safer and stable. Hope you have great success.

Post pictures!

 

[Pursuit Hunter]

I've used a canoe quite a bit to get to remote areas of public land. One of my most memorable hunts ended with a paddle across a dark glassy-smooth lake under a billion stars with a nice ten pointer in the boat. It was a primal, timeless experience that could have happened in any century. It was a really cool experience.

One benefit of hunting with a canoe: it is always a downhill drag back to the boat.

 

[waynesworld]

That would be a great time almost as good as taking horse and pack mules up a mtn for a week.

 

[plinker22]

I've used a canoe quite a bit to get to remote areas of public land. One of my most memorable hunts ended with a paddle across a dark glassy-smooth lake under a billion stars with a nice ten pointer in the boat. It was a primal, timeless experience that could have happened in any century. It was a really cool experience.

That had to be an unforgetable hunt! Sounds wonderful.

 

[Winchester]

I have used a small Jon boat on several occasions to get in locations other hunters rarely go! Its a great way of beating the crowds on public land!

 

[BowGuy84]

Never used a canoe but use a boat a good bit. Like others have said, it is a great way to get away from pressure (and make it work for you) and the drag is always nice.

 

[Vermin93]

My square-stern canoe is my primary hunting vehicle. It's light and has great weight carrying capacity. With the 6hp Suzuki on the back and good weight distribution fore and aft I can do 12mph. The retractable stabilizers are key and have essentially made my rig untippable. When I want to be quiet or move through really skinny water I tilt up the motor and grab my paddle. My canoe gives me easy access to certain public hunting lands that would otherwise be a major, time-consuming pain to reach on foot. I don't need a boat ramp to launch it, either.

 

[Vermin93]

That's real cool, Vermin.

Here is the canoe that I want: http://www.mohawkcanoes.com/solo.html

You should see some of the looks I get on the lake as I pass recreational boaters on my way to hunt. They just stare at me like I'm nuts. This is the canoe that I have:

Esquif Heron

 

[Snake]

 

[Pursuit Hunter]

That's real cool, Vermin.

Here is the canoe that I want: http://www.mohawkcanoes.com/solo.html

You should see some of the looks I get on the lake as I pass recreational boaters on my way to hunt. They just stare at me like I'm nuts. This is the canoe that I have:

Esquif Heron

Nice Rig! What type of outriggers are those and where did you get them? My canoe is a traditional double-ended canoe so in order to use a motor I have to mount it off the side with a side mount transom. Even with a 2 hp motor, it is really squirrely and unstable. Outriggers would be a big help.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

a 10' john boat is the ticket.

 

[Winchester]

a 10' john boat is the ticket.

Agreed, actually use a 14 ftr myself!

 

[BowGuy84]

Had a 14 but 16 now. I use mine on a pretty good size lake and am trying a medium to small ri Eric this weekend as a test run for opening weekend.

 

[Vermin93]

Nice Rig! What type of outriggers are those and where did you get them? My canoe is a traditional double-ended canoe so in order to use a motor I have to mount it off the side with a side mount transom. Even with a 2 hp motor, it is really squirrely and unstable. Outriggers would be a big help.

I researched the canoe stabilizers a lot after I tipped over one day with my new engine on the transom. The ones that I ended up buying are made by Spring Creek Outfitters

Stabilizer Floats

However, there is a guy with a site called Sailboats To Go who resells the Spring Creek stabilizers at the same price. I bought mine from him. He also sells these really cool kits that let you turn your canoe into a sailboat using the same universal mount that the stabilizers use. They sell several other canoe accessories, including side motor mounts, that you may find useful.

Sailboats To Go

The best looking canoe stabilizers that I saw are made by Nielsen's Outrigger, but when I called the guy last fall he said he was sold out until this past spring and I didn't want to wait that long. They are pretty expensive, but they look like a really well made product.

Nielson's Outrigger Company

I've very happy with the stabilizers that I've got. They are light weight are very durable. I've bashed them against rocks and logs and they've held up fine. I can stand up in the canoe and walk all the way to the bow while it's moving with no fear of tipping. I can fish from my canoe standing up because it's so stable when the stabilizers are extended. I have an extended tiller handle that's long enough to allow me to stand up and drive the canoe. I can drive the canoe standing up at 12mph with no fear of tipping.

FYI - I initially bought a 2.5hp Suzuki, but it could only get me going about 7mph in ideal conditions. I wanted more speed so that I could get to my hunting spots sooner (and sleep longer), so I sold the 2.5hp and got the 6hp Suzuki. At first I was concerned it would be too much weight and power for a 14.5ft canoe, but it's not. I put 3 or 4 of those 40lb bags of play sand in the front to balance the canoe. Without enough weight in the front you will do a major wheelie once you pick up speed.

I thought long and hard about getting a john boat, but for my purposes and my particular circumstances a canoe was the best option.

What I really want is a Gheenoe with a 25hp, but that's another story...

 

[Pursuit Hunter]

Thanks for the information vermin. Looks like just the ticket for those times when it is too far to paddle.

 

[wgmac]

I do most of my hunting from water access and has turned out awesome. I have been disabled for 5years now and since i can not drag a deer very far this has turned out to be the best way for me to hunt. My hunting has been much more productive aswell. Getting to public land that is not pressured very much is like having your own private hunting club. Good luck and go for it!