Another sobering tragedy

MLBob Furia

MLBob Furia

Well-known member
This happened yesterday morning:


"The search for a duck hunter missing in the Ohio River resumes this morning. 20-year-old Justin Hearn, of Worthville, Kentucky, went into the water Monday morning at 11 a.m. when the boat he was riding in capsized.
Hearn, along with his two friends Joseph McDermott and Jeremy Tence, were hunting duck on the Ohio River in Warsaw, Kentucky. Their boat capsized when they were about a football field length away from shore. McDermott and Tence swam to shore. Hearn is missing. He was not wearing a life-jacket.
McDermott and Tence were taken to Carroll County hospital for treatment of hypothermia."

Some news accounts say they were chasing down a crippled goose. Perhaps in the excitement, this kid didn't put on his lifejacket. Tragic!

I know that stretch of river well. Can get snotty if the winds are high and from the right direction, but judging by the videos on the local news stations of search boats working the area, it didn't seem to me that water conditions were particularly rough. I did read that the three were in a 16' boat which raises some question about if it were a V or john, what it's capacity was vs. how much of a load they were carrying, and what HP motor was on it.

Fella's let's be careful, especially as the weather gets colder & colder. No duck or goose is worth forgetting basic safety.
 
It is an easy mistake to make! I hunted out of a fixed blind on Saturday, but used the sneakbox to pick up the birds.... in and out of the blind/boat many times. Thinking I need to invest in the inflatables so I can just leave it on all day... Dave
 
It is an easy mistake to make!
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Absolutely true. That's why I'm hoping they come out with as many details as possible. I want every mistake I could possibly make out there listed, just so I'm reminded of all the things that can go wrong if/when I get careless. Thing to remember about mother nature is that she doesn't care either way; she's just there - indifferent & very powerful.
 
I invested in a Mustang Float Coat this last year. A long overdo investment for a duck hunter. I tempted fate too long. A few pleasant surprises. I can wear it in the blind on shore, shoot in it. Makes a dandy rain coat and with the hood and wearing waders you are absolutely dry. In cold weather acts as another coat toasty warm. Great wind breaker in the boat while under way. This is a highly recommended item.

When you compare it to life insurance premiums it's a deal. Plus you get to live if you use it....( : 0 )
 
Very sad news.

I also purchased a Mustang "bomber style" float coat a few seasons ago and agree with everything you said about it Wispete. It’s a great jacket in snotty weather, plus it’s a PFD. At $170 it’s cheaper than some of the fancy parkas out there. I’ve even hunted out of my layout boat while wearing it. I had a Stearns (longer coat length) float coat before and it seems bulky compared to the Mustang.
 
Very sad. I wish Mustang still made the camo jackets, I'd like to have one. I'm looking at upgrading one of my outboards because it doesn't have a safety kill switch if I were to go over. I wear my PFD, when I'm running to and from the area, but I know there are times I don't put it on when I'm picking up birds, etc. Looks like it is time to invest in an auto inflatable and simply wear it.
 
Really tragic!

I too invested in a Mustang bomber style float coat. I got the black coat and bought a cheap camo rain slicker to go over it.

Ryan
 
Even the best device cannot save you in an accident. You must save yourself. I wear a life vest that I can wear while shooting. But, I also know that you can't spend much time in icy water. I have had an occasion of stripping naked and putting on dry clothing while out hunting once. Not an especially pleasant experience and it only involved watter less than a foot deep. The hardest thing is deciding that the situation is bad enough to take dramatic action.
 
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