Son and I do a lot of duck hunting. We both have good non-inflating life vests and actually wear them when moving the boats, etc. We take his 4 and 7 year old sons out there with us.

Today is his 40th Birthday and Wonderful Wife and I figured it was time we both get inflatable PFD's. We ordered a couple of them from Amazon and they came in today. When I tried one on i found the inflating device is right where we would hold our shotguns. I shoot right-handed, he's a lefty, but the inflators would mess us both up and defeat the purpose of wearing them regularly.

Does anyone have any recommendations for an inflatable PFD that does not get in the way of shouldering the gun?

Thanks!

Moosetrot

not much I would say regarding your response,..i would advise ,don't rely on inflatables in cold water

Probably not what you want to hear but it’s all non inflatable for me. Just a lot less that can go wrong.

What model did you order? I have been thinking about buying a few. I used them last year fishing on a trip and found them to be comfortable. I’m looking at the mustang brand.

wws

Have you considered a 'float coat' ?
Fits and wears just like a winter type coat. Much more comfortable than a standard PFD.



Yes , that is a rated life jacket. Mustang brand.

If you go with an inflatable go mustang. Expensive but worth it. As said above I think a float jacket would suite you better but depending on brand/style may make it a little tough to shoulder your shotgun proper.

cool..expensive i bet

Check out some of the other floater coats from Mustang
having to retrieve some duck hunters that tipped is something that I do not want to do again
they had 3 minutes till they went silent

Moosetrot
I know you talking inflatables.
I don't know much about the inflatables other than they are designed more for fisherman. I know wardens are using them now as are other law enforcement. Not sure they think about shoot from the shoulder.
I'm a float coat guy myself have been for years I have 3 different coats of my own.
But unfortunately they are also not designed with duck hunters in mind. I wear a quad parka in the duck marsh regular life jacket over it when feel the need.
There are actually some really nice float coats now for ice fishing. Those however are not in colors one would wear duck hunting.
Honestly though I haven't researched what might now be available.
The coat I use for fishing and water trapping is a old Stearns camo pattern. Could work for duck hunting if pockets were different.. Coat I wear working on dive jobs is older model not made anymore but looks like the navy blue one pictured above post.. My son's also has a coat is a mustang looks one pictured in post above.
The nice thing about float coats is many are set up as thermo protection if you do go for a swim.
Good luck with your search

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

If you have a good seamstress in your neck of the woods, they could alter them pockets and make them any configuration you want without compromising the flotation. Bought some Skre gear last year and took it to seamstress as soon as I got it ....customized the sleeve length and converted the storm hood to a 'zip on' so it could be added or removed at will. Total cost was 30 dollars....money well spent for a good piece of gear. Just an idea....

They make life vests with mesh around the shoulder area

^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yep

OP - Did you get manual or auto?? I own both, and learned to trust the auto. Additionally, the manual to be affective needs to be worn exterior of all your clothes. An auto will work beneath a hoodie or jacket.

Many of the branded models or cheaper knock offs seem to run smaller for around your neck and fit uncomfortably. The mustangs are proven quality and much more comfortable

Yep I think that's a good idea and it certainly can be done. Thing is if you go that route you change the jacket from the manufacturer specification if it was a coast guard approved device. That's still not a problem if you want it for your personal needs hunting. Wearing it for just your personal safety and comfort .
It just won't count as a floatation device in your boat if you get checked by a warden. Like the inflatable doesn't count unless you wearing it while in your boat.
The jackets I have are all considered coast guard approved floatation device. I can have them in the boat like any other approved jacket. They count as my availability life vest weather worn or not. The inflatables only count if you are wearing them while in your boat. So there is that too considered in the mix when you purchase them. I'm not even sure if the ice fishing type floatation systems are coast guard approved for use in a boat?? May be I haven't looked into that.
As far as staying a float it really doesn't matter. If you are wearing either when you need it. Labels don't keep you a float. Just keep you within the laws when big brother checks you.

Mac

"Never Forget Which Way Is Up!"

Hayward make a float coat designed more for Hunting