Two duck hunters were rescued from Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas after their boat began taking on water during windy conditions, prompting a coordinated response from multiple emergency agencies.
The incident unfolded late Saturday morning when local authorities received a report of a hunting boat in distress near the Seven Points area of the lake. Fire and rescue crews from Gun Barrel City were dispatched to assist after initial attempts to locate the vessel proved difficult due to high winds, choppy waves, and limited visibility on the water.
Rescue teams launched boats and conducted a systematic search of the lake, focusing on areas north of the Highway 334 crossing. After an extended search, responders located the two hunters in the water several hundred yards from shore. Officials said the men had been exposed to cold conditions for a prolonged period, with water temperatures estimated in the mid-50s.
Once recovered, the hunters were brought back to shore, where emergency medical personnel evaluated them before transporting both to a nearby hospital as a precaution. No injuries were reported among rescue personnel involved in the operation.
Fire department officials praised the cooperation between responding agencies, noting that the challenging weather significantly increased the danger of the rescue. Authorities emphasized that wind-driven waves and cold water can quickly turn a routine hunting outing into an emergency situation.
Texas Game Wardens responded to the scene and are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the boat’s failure. Local police also assisted during the operation.
As waterfowl season continues, safety officials remind hunters to prepare for rapidly changing lake conditions, wear flotation devices, and closely monitor weather forecasts before heading out. Incidents like this serve as a reminder that cold water and high winds leave little margin for error, even for experienced hunters.
