What essential safety item should be worn when hunting from a boat?

When hunting from a boat, wearing a personal flotation device is crucial for ensuring safety on the water. Accidents can happen, and even skilled swimmers can find themselves in perilous situations due to unexpected capsizing, falling overboard, or sudden changes in weather. A personal flotation device, such as a life jacket, provides buoyancy and can keep a person afloat until help arrives or they reach safety. This safety measure is not only essential for personal safety but is also a legal requirement in many states, including Missouri, for individuals in small watercraft.

Other items like a first aid kit, sunscreen, and a hunting license play important roles as well. A first aid kit is vital for dealing with injuries, sunscreen helps protect against sunburn during extended outings, and a hunting license is necessary for legal hunting. However, these items do not directly contribute to survival in the water like a personal flotation device does, making it the most critical safety item when hunting from a boat.