Elk hunting out of an inflatable pontoon

[Brushroach]

Has anyone archery hunted elk out of an inflatable pontoon? I hunt the river bottoms of Oregon for Roosevelt elk. For a long time I’ve wanted to get a boat to access areas that would otherwise take hours to hike to. I was wondering if anyone has done this before and what their experience was like. It seems like a fool proof plan. Am I overlooking anything. I have the opportunity to pick up two pontoon boats for a good deal.

 

[taskswap]

I haven't myself, but there are tons of Youtube folks with videos on doing that. They talk through some of the logistics. Are you more thinking of this as a tool for river and crossings, or for going up and down streams? (With the latter, you need to think about how you'll row upstream which can be challenging if you're heavily loaded in any current...)

 

[Brushroach]

I haven't myself, but there are tons of Youtube folks with videos on doing that. They talk through some of the logistics. Are you more thinking of this as a tool for river and crossings, or for going up and down streams? (With the latter, you need to think about how you'll row upstream which can be challenging if you're heavily loaded in any current...)

It would be for the river. I would put in at an upstream boat launch and I have a series of good spots within a 7-8 mile stretch that I hunt often but walk in. It would shave several hours off getting into place. And I try to be in position an hour or two before the sun comes up to listen so some kind of boat would be ideal. I’ll have to check YouTube out. I googled it but it was all duck hunting videos and such that popped up but I’ll try YouTube specifically. Thanks for your reply

 

[justinspicher]

Do you have to get out by going upstream?

 

[theoutdoorsman]

I hunt with a raft and rowing frame quite often. Rubber row boats are best. They are quiet with no motor, and don't make a bunch of noise when hitting rocks or putting things down inside (as aluminum does). Sometimes you can get a bull going as you drift downstream, but often need to hike into their bedding areas on benches above the river. For a solo guy a SOAR inflatable canoe would work for day/weekend trips. For longer trips or with two guys a 13-14ft cataraft or whitewater raft with rowing frame are best.
The mountainbuzz forum is best for rafting setup info as well as a good place to find used boats. You get what you pay for with rafts hypalon is probably best for casual river floating. rolls up nice, lasts long. NRS/Hyside boats

 

[Coveyleader]

Two options that would work great.

1. Inflatable boat with a jet on it.
2. Flat bottom boat with a jet on it.

There are pro's and cons of each and how much you want to spend but you can't go wrong with either. If you're serious, they're the only way to go if you're going upstream and down. Example............. right here!

 

[Oregon]

Everyone been doing this since the start of time and tag issuance. Rowing across a crick to hunt about as common as driving up a logging road in coastal Oregon