Hunting From a Boat

December 24, 2008

Question: Is it legal to drift down or anchor a boat in a river to waterfowl hunt? The river is surrounded by unincorporated, privately owned farmland on each side with the occasional home or barn visible from the water. I know you cannot discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a dwelling or near a public road and I know that all motors must be out of the water. Would drifting be considered forward motion? Should I contact the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) to inquire about the specific stretch of river I would like to hunt? (Michael K.)

Answer: It would be legal to drift down with the current or anchor a boat in a river to hunt waterfowl so long as you entered the area legally and were on navigable waters. According to DFG Game Warden Todd Tognazzini, hunting may not occur while boats are under power or under the influence of power (e.g. gliding from powered forward motion even after ignition is turned off). Only human or current powered forward motion is allowed while hunting (ref. F&G Code 3002).

The distance required from a residence or other occupied dwelling is 150 yards and if the adjacent private land is fenced, or cultivated, or posted with no trespassing signs at 1/3 mile intervals, you would not be able to legally enter those lands even to retrieve a downed duck or goose. For specific questions about a particular body of water it would be a great idea to contact the closest DFG regional office.