I've used canoes for a number of hunts in the past.
Drifting a slow river for puddle-ducks in northern Alberta was something I tried a couple times. First time was a bust, the ducks would take off as soon as they saw the canoe. After that, we rigged a screen about 6' wide on the bow of the canoe, chicken wire on a light wood frame with cattails woven through the wire. Worked pretty good, we were able to sneak up on ducks nicely. Only the guy in the bow can shoot, though.
A few years ago I got tired of fighting the crowds on public land during deer season in WI. I found a couple spots that I could get to by paddling for 30 mins or so, and that got me well back from the roadside entry points. Flat water meant I didn't fight current in or out. Shot a nice fork buck one time and a doe the other. It was really nice not having to drag or pack the animal all the way out... just to the canoe.
Now that I'm down in watery country again, here in south Texas, I may use my canoe for duck hunting again.
