Anglers and hunters should

• A. wear a life jacket at all times
• B. wear a life jacket only when underway
• C. wear a life jacket only on small boats
• D. not wear life jackets

Answer: (A)

Wearing a life jacket at all times when near or on the water is the safest habit for anglers and hunters. You can fall into water suddenly from a slip, a step over a wet edge, or a wake from a nearby boat, and a PFD immediately keeps your head above water and your body buoyant. This quick, automatic protection matters whether you’re on a boat, standing on a dock, or wading in a stream, because danger can appear with little warning. Keeping a properly fitted, USCG-approved life jacket on and ready means you’re always protected, not relying on a moment-to-moment decision under stressful or cold conditions. The other ideas—wearing it only when underway, only on small boats, or not wearing one—don’t provide that constant safeguard and can lead to drowning if an unexpected fall occurs.