What is a major risk when hunting near water?

Hunting near water presents a significant risk of drowning or hypothermia primarily due to the nature of water environments. When a hunter is near lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water, there is always a possibility of slipping, falling in, or capsizing a watercraft. This risk is exacerbated if the water temperature is low, as immersion can lead to rapid onset of hypothermia, which occurs when body temperature drops to a dangerous level. Effective training and precautions, such as wearing life jackets and staying vigilant about surroundings, can help mitigate these risks, but they remain prominent concerns in areas where water is involved.

The other options, while they may pose risks, do not represent as immediate and life-threatening danger as drowning or hypothermia does. For example, encounters with animals or losing equipment are certainly considerations for hunters, but they do not carry the same level of urgency that water-related accidents do.