As a kid, I remember being stopped by game guys from time to time in my inflatable boat. Never had a PFD and my folks long since stopped trying to regulale my time on the water. It was more like trying to control when the sun rose in the morning

not only did I never get in trouble but often got invited to go netting with them on fish sample days. or at the least half hour of where the fish should be that time of year.

Not to say that it is ok not to have a floation device, I just never wear one and never have. I guess being surprised that you are required to wear one is a matter of how you were raised. Or in my case left to my own.

some great stories about getting that boat back and forth on my bike but those should go somewhere else I imagine.