![snowmobile games reddit snowmobile games reddit](https://www.craguns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/03_group_riding_sled.jpg)
“Let Evel Knievel get on the plane,” the late great comedian George Carlin once said. I’m content to let the daredevils go first and share their triumphs – or mishaps – with the world on YouTube, Instagram or whatever other social media platform suits their fancy.
![snowmobile games reddit snowmobile games reddit](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/6e/dd/0f/6edd0f1b3aba8801e94fe5a889e0e48b.jpg)
There’ll be several months to stare at a bobber or my electronics through a hole in the ice.
![snowmobile games reddit snowmobile games reddit](https://i.cbc.ca/1.2884312.1419619380!/fileImage/httpImage/2014-sports-canada-snowmobile-cross-kawartha-cup-feb-8.jpg)
Having a plan in case something goes wrong also is crucial, and the DNR offers these safety tips:Īlways wear a life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle).Ĭarry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure.Ĭheck ice thickness at regular intervals conditions can change quickly.īring a cell phone or personal locator beacon.ĭon’t go out alone let someone know about trip plans and expected return time.īefore heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts. However, early in the winter it’s a good idea to double these figures to be safe: 4 inches for a group walking single file, 6 inches for a snowmobile or ATV, 8 to 12 inches for an automobile and 12 to 15 inches for a pickup or truck. The following minimums are recommended for travel on clear-blue lake ice formed under ideal conditions. The same goes for ice that forms around partially submerged trees, brush, embankments or other structures.Īnglers should drill test holes as they make their way out on the lake, and an ice chisel should be used to check ice thickness while moving around.ĭaily temperature changes cause ice to expand and contract, affecting its strength. Ice thickness is not consistent, as it can vary significantly within a few inches.Īvoid cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas that signal thinner ice. Ice can form overnight, causing unstable conditions. Snow insulates ice, which in turn inhibits solid ice formation, hiding cracks, weak and open water areas. Meanwhile, the North Dakota Game and Fish Department offers these reminders:Įdges firm up faster than farther out from shore. “Teaching your kids to be vigilant around the water this time of year – and doing the same yourself – isn’t just a good idea. Adam Block, boating law administrator for the DNR Enforcement Division, said in a news release. “There’s nothing worse than when a time of year that should be festive turns tragic,” Lt. In its warning, the DNR said ice thickness this time of year is “highly variable and subject to the whims of Mother Nature.” It’s vital, the DNR said, that parents talk with their kids about staying safe and resisting the natural temptation to venture out on ice that might not be safe. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the North Dakota Game and Fish Department both issued advisories this week reminding people to be aware of changing and often unstable ice conditions. I’ve been lucky enough to avoid falling through the ice, even on the occasions when I probably should have stayed on shore, and I prefer to keep it that way. With age comes wisdom, the thinking goes, and so it goes with me and early ice.
Personally, I prefer to err on the side of caution when it comes to early ice, though it hasn’t always been so. This time of year, ice can be here one day and gone tomorrow – especially on larger or deeper lakes, and rivers or other current areas. Early ice conditions can be especially dicey during freeze-ups like this year, when brief cold snaps are followed by warm-ups, and calm days are followed by wind, which of course can wreak havoc on early ice.