Duck Hunters Left Clinging to Trees for 13 Hours After Their Boat Sinks in Sub-Zero Waters

When it comes to being resourceful, a pair of seasoned Louisiana duck hunters have proven themselves worthy of such a title after a harrowing duck hunting incident. According to a Facebook post by Texas Game Wardens last week, two Louisiana men set out to chase ducks on Bois D’arc Lake, not far from their home. With cold temperatures plaguing the area, the two were dressed for the weather, but not for what they were unknowingly about to encounter. 

Traversing the frigid lake, the duck hunter’s boat struck a tree and suddenly began to take on water. According to game wardens, by noon the two men’s boat had been completely submerged in the icy lake, leaving the two duck hunters to scramble up into some nearby trees in an attempt to stay dry.

Fighting off fears of hypothermia or even death, the pair began making plans for a long night out on the lake. Without any method of communication, the pair turned to their natural surroundings and a few belongings that were still left afloat. Using their Yeti, the two men built a fire inside of the cooler using branches from the trees in which they were situated. 

Back home, the men’s wives began to grow wearisome when they hadn’t heard from their partners, something they expected. Without missing a beat, the men’s wives contacted Texas Game Wardens, which began a search with Texas Department of Public Safety Aviation, the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and the North Texas Municipal Water District staff.

Organizing a search and rescue operation, teams were deployed into the night in an attempt to locate the two missing hunters. At around 1:30 AM, DPS Aviation officials were able to spot the flames in the dark and directed rescuers to the hunters. It didn’t take long for the rescue response team to make contact with the hunters who were later hospitalized for severe hypothermia.

“We are thankful the men lived to hunt another day and thankful for the help of our partner agencies that made it possible,” the post stated. “Emergency response is always a team effort. Texas Game Wardens will continue to utilize available resources to respond to calls for service, including engaging with our partners at every turn.”