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My son will be doing some open water hunting this year and I was wanting to get him a high quality life vest. I would really love to get something he could keep on all the time, if possible. Suggestions please.

My son may do some hunting this year as well. I am going to try and make those hunts on land, but, where a boat is needed, I am considering a self inflatable vest. Just so i don't have to worry about him taking it off. I really like the looks of this model, but haven't found any more info on it. And will probably have to take a sharpie to it so it's not the bright color.
https://www.spinlock.co.uk/en-us/catego ... nto-junior

And on the other hand, he can swim like a fish, we get pretty stable when hunting, I am cheap, and $200 is a lot for a life vest he is going to quickly out grow. So I may go with a small camo model like this that I wear.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS- ... 801532.uts

Don't get me wrong, my son's life is worth every penny I have. And $200 is no hill for a stepper. But those inflatables just seem over priced and they don't 100% convince me that they will deploy when needed.

Ya'll got me to thinking, my life vest is perhaps 20+ years old, maybe 30. Never needed it, tried it out once in the summer years ago, worked okay, not sure how or IF it will still work under real world winter conditions, extra weight in the gut, etc.

I followed the link to Cabelas and started to look around. Found this one I'm going to try, $79.99 seems fair.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/boating/ ... QAWidgetID

teul2 wrote:My son may do some hunting this year as well. I am going to try and make those hunts on land, but, where a boat is needed, I am considering a self inflatable vest. Just so i don't have to worry about him taking it off. I really like the looks of this model, but haven't found any more info on it. And will probably have to take a sharpie to it so it's not the bright color.
https://www.spinlock.co.uk/en-us/catego ... nto-junior

And on the other hand, he can swim like a fish, we get pretty stable when hunting, I am cheap, and $200 is a lot for a life vest he is going to quickly out grow. So I may go with a small camo model like this that I wear.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/CABELAS- ... 801532.uts

Don't get me wrong, my son's life is worth every penny I have. And $200 is no hill for a stepper. But those inflatables just seem over priced and they don't 100% convince me that they will deploy when needed.

My son will not be growing too much more so I don't have that problem anymore, although I fought it for years (waders,boots,guns,ect.) I got some feed back on another forum about a float coat. I probably should have given a little more detail. He will be hunting out of a boat on oxbows off the Ms. River so I am really concerned about the life vest aspect. I trust him enough and think he is responsible enough to wear one while underway. I am cheap also, but in this situation I am worried because I will not be with him. I think I am going to go with an inflatable for mild weather and am Onyx float coat for when its cold.

I really have a problem trusting the self activating. I think I will look for one with a manual pull cord also.

Thanks for the reply.

booger wrote:Ya'll got me to thinking, my life vest is perhaps 20+ years old, maybe 30. Never needed it, tried it out once in the summer years ago, worked okay, not sure how or IF it will still work under real world winter conditions, extra weight in the gut, etc.

I followed the link to Cabelas and started to look around. Found this one I'm going to try, $79.99 seems fair.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/boating/ ... QAWidgetID

I'm sure if it is just a regular life vest and you have only picked up a few pounds it would be fine. My biggest concern is my son making long boat rides and if he goes in the damn thing not opening. The float coats look great for riding not sure about once you start hunting!!! I can live with him taking it off once set-up I just worry about him getting lazy and not putting whatever he gets back on. I guess I will just nag him about it every time he is getting ready to go.

jkmjr wrote: The float coats look great for riding not sure about once you start hunting!!!

They are great for riding. But would akin it to wearing one of those inflatable sumo wrestling suits while trying to hunt. Just not really going to work.

The manual inflatables are great my old booty doesn't go w/o mine. But it's a type III and I think your still required to have a rigid floation one along too. Hard to find one for$80 lately. BTW check the tag they are not recommended/rated for knotheads under 16. Might help to manual blow it up so know what to expect.


Another thing on safety... Get that kill switch cord replaced and use it on those outboards. Had some buds fishin Big Muddy outa Port Gibson ran over a log wide open thru em both outa da boat the had vests on but almost got run over by the boat as it spun circles around them. Luckily were spotted and saved... Got another bud on Pearl River I asked what are the 2 springs on each side of you OB. That's for if we hit log and go over the boat will go on strait and not come back and run over us...

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http://www.boaterkids.com/can-kids-wear ... ife-vests/

My Grandson is going with me this year already have a vest for him and i'm making him wear it !!! He can take it off about one minute before shooting light and sit on it incase he needs it quick. I cannot come home and explain and I don't want to live with stupid or arrogant,apathetic not great either.

We have been using a simple camo vest. The flotation consists of 3pieces. Held to get her by some straps. The flotation in front is real low so it doesn't interfere with shooting. I also have a Onyx shooting vest that was on clearance at academy that looks like it should work great. If the kids are in the boat or pirogue they have a vest on regardless. If we're standing by a tree in knee deep water they can take them off. If hunting out of boat a regular vest just won't do while shouldering a gun.