Waterfowl hunters may face some of the largest risks. They often boat in remote areas, are out before or after daylight and wear heavy clothing weighed down with ammunition, waders and other gear. And if you go overboard, hypothermia is a greater risk this time of year, too. It's also important to be familiar with the waters you boat. All boaters should carefully scout side-channels and rapids to avoid getting caught in log jams or other hazards.
Henry encourages power boaters to go slow and watch their wake.
A large wake can tip a small boat or send a wading hunter or angler into deep water. Of interest to all boaters are the new styles of life vests which are more suited to wearing over bulky winter clothes. The U.S. Coast Guard recently approved several makes of auto-inflating life vests which are more comfortable to wear and have little bulk. It looks like a normal rain coat, but has flotation built into the garment. It not only provides flotation, but helps guard against hypothermia.