Waterfowl Hunting Boater Safety Risk Assessment

General Assessment of Risk (GAR)

Whether using a boat as a hunting blind or using it as transportation to set decoys and get to a blind, there is a greater degree of risk than hunting without a boat. This tool assesses that risk based on six factors present at the time a hunting party gets underway and to enable decision making based on the degree of risk involved.

Risk value assigned to each factor should be discussed and agreed upon by all members of the party; not just an average of individual members’ assigned values. Opinions of each member must carry equal weight in the decision making.

Estimate Risk Factors

Risk Assessment Scores Hunting party should discuss and agree on a risk value to assign to each of the factors. 1 = Lowest risk; 10 = Highest risk

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Weather
Water/Seas
Boating Experience
Hunting Experience
Fitness/Medical Conditions
Boat/Equipment Conditions

Additional Risk Factors

Number of Dogs on Boat Dogs in a boat create additional risk. Select the number of dogs with and without experience.

	0	1	2	3	4	5
Dogs accustomed to riding in boat and with dog life jacket
Dogs NOT accustomed to riding in boat nor with dog life jacket

Notes for Calculating Risk

Please consider hull type. Small flat-bottom utility boats are more prone to capsizing. Adjust risk factor accordingly.
Take positive actions to lessen the actual risk in factors over which you have some measure of control before assessing or reassessing scores.
If at any time during the boating or hunting conditions change, a reassessment of the risk value assigned to each factor should be undertaken and a new GAR Score obtained.

Waterfowl Hunter Boater Safety General Assessment of Risk used courtesy of United States Coast Guard.