Dilema Dilema....

[kglacken]

So I want to do some duck hunting but there is one problem. I dont have a dog.... or a boat... I am looking to get a small little Jon Boat or something similar. Just something to get me place to place and to retrieve ducks if they are in an area where I cant get to them in the chest waders. Without a dog or boat I am only able to hunt about half of a pond in the area that i live. My question is what do you guys recommend? Im just looking for something small to hold me and a buddy and some decoys and gear. I want to be able to put it in the back of my pickup. Doesnt need to be able to take on rough water. Id like to keep it around $400 if possible. Im looking to buy when I get back from Idaho in the beginning of december. Im just curious what you guys think? Will a small Jon do the job? Is there another option Im not thinking of? Let me know! 

[jennyfell55]

How about something like this? http://www.hybridduckboat.com/files/index.php?id=20

You'd have to make it but I'm pretty sure they can be made for under $400 pretty easily...

[mjgentile]

 
 Porta-Bote - aka folding boat, no not a joke

 Not sure what they run but it is very portable

 http://www.porta-bote.com/

[Mfowl]

Consider float tubes for you and your buddy. They're light weight, you can put them on a pack frame with your decoys and carry them in to hunting spots and you could for sure get one for under $400. I use one several times a year at different spots that I hunt. I've even hunted out of it while floating up against cattails. Nice tool to have.

[cliffordingles]

You can use almost anything man. I've even ysed one of those inflatable kayaks before canoes work good too. Craigslist always have something. There is. One of those 4 seater peddle like a bike boats on there now for 300$

[Tman]

Heard of people who use a small travel fishing rod and a large treble to retrieve waterfowl in small ponds etc. Cant imagine it working great on big water though

[Colin]

I picked up a 14 foot canoe off of craigslist over the summer to drift the Skagit on. It did pretty well for some fun fishing on pinks and silvers. Offered the seller $200 and they took it. Haven't used it for ducks yet as I've been going out with my friend and his lab so far this year but I would think it would do fine. I throw it up on two simple 2x4 racks over my short bed pickup. I can load it up by myself but getting it to water at any distance solo is really hard.

[waoutdoorsman]

I'd check craigslist I picked my 12' semi v hull for $125 with no leaks
I'd go with something that's not inflatable if you could, nothing wrong with inflatables but when your pushing through thin ice I'd be careful in an inflatable

[norsepeak]

Heard of people who use a small travel fishing rod and a large treble to retrieve waterfowl in small ponds etc. Cant imagine it working freat on big water though

Used to do this all the time when I was in high school and broke, worked great.

[7mmfan]

I'm sure you can find a 6'-8' pontoon boat on Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks. lightweight, can haul them around. Very stable and most come with a heavy enough covering over the pontoons that you don't have to worry TO much about brush/sticks/ice, etc...

[hillbilli]

my vote would be the aluminum boat.. I have a 12 ft john, 36" wide bottom, the whole thing probably doesnt weigh over 60lbs. there are usually quite a few different used ones for sale around.. ones like mine and smaller you can often get away without a trailer, just load in the back of the truck..

[seth30]

my vote would be the aluminum boat.. I have a 12 ft john, 36" wide bottom, the whole thing probably doesnt weigh over 60lbs. there are usually quite a few different used ones for sale around.. ones like mine and smaller you can often get away without a trailer, just load in the back of the truck..

[jason stevens]

Pretty succesful in the fields better with sheet water.