NEW ORLEANS - Members of the Cost Guard said a stranded hunter used all the right survival skills to get spotted and rescued today after his boat sank in St. Charles Parish.

The Coast Guard spotted a brush fire the hunter used to signal them while they searched Bayou Gauche, and rescued the 64-year-old after a six-hour search.

They said the man left Tuesday morning to go hunting, and his wife called authorities when he didn't return that night. His boat reportedly stuck in the mud and sank Tuesday afternoon, and the man was stranded overnight in the bayou.

"He managed to get on a muddy bank and started a brush fire to alert us," said Lt. j.g. Brandt Allen, Air Station New Orleans pilot. "The smoke helped us locate him quickly; he was spot-on with his survivial skills."

The Coast Guard said people should always leave a float plan behind with family or friends before going out on the water or into the bayou, including any information which could be used to help rescuers in case there's an emergency.