I figured the wilderness forum would be a good place to ask this question...

I live in the Finger Lakes area of western NY state and we normally have open water for our short, two week beaver season that's coming up. But it looks like I get to try the hard water way this season.

Any safety tips you'd like to share about being on the ice alone would be appreciated. Safety items to carry, can the ice be thinner near the lodge or other ares, tips on getting out if you go through the ice, how to get a cell phone to work under water or how to convince the wife to go first on thin ice?

Unless completely sure of the ice, carry ice picks, they are sold in pairs and help you get out. Carry a spud and test the ice in front of yourself as you walk, different ice thickness will sound different.

I've seen the ice picks and look like a good idea. Any tips on how to carry them for quick access but not be in the way?

tip #1 don't walk on thin ice.
tip #1.5 DO NOT PANIC...if you do fall in.
tip#2 take someone with you.
#3 get a pelican case for cell phones, they are waterproof.
#4 carry the spud or branch sideways, in case you fall in.

usually when the ice breaks and you fall in, your weight will keep breakin in as you try to pull yourself out. work yourway to shore

they got that long cord on em, so you use emlike when mom used to put your mittens on a string. and if they get in the way, rubberband em.. they do you no good in a pocket or backpack...

if you can see that ice watch for the color. Black ice is good ice. If it looks like it is honey combed it is bad. The more snow that you have the ice will be on the lake. A man can walk on 2 inches they say. Myself I like atleast a solid 4 to 6. I won't drive on any less then a foot of ice with the pick up. 6 to 8 for an atv or snow machine. My .02. I have fallen though and it really blows.

Appreciate the tips. I was thinking the last place I need to dig them out is out of a pocket or something while getting used to the 32 degree water.

i carry ice picks on a string around my neck when on iffy ice. I also walk with my ice spud hitting the ice iwth it as hard as i can in front of me. it digs in a good 2 inches on hard hits. if it does not break through, chances are I won't. BUT, I have used picks to help me get out many times.

Here's a tip....

Don't follow me.

If you have really grassy areas they seem to not freeze as solid, especially around the grass clumps. Found this out the hard way.

Often times a confluence of a creeck with a river or lake will be bad. be especially careful around beaver houses. Learn to use your ears as well as your eyes. Sometimes you can hear moving water. Watch for otter or blackfish holes. Watch for telltale steam.

As mentioned before, carry a pole or ice pick or an ax and really smack the ice ahead of you.

If you go through, don't stand back up when you get out of the hole. Lie down and roll to the bank. Once there roll in as much dry snow as you can. It will suck a lot of water out of your clothes.

If you absolutely must cross some thin ice there are ways to do it that are safer. Hard to explain but I'll try.

Get two poles about 10-12 feet long and maybe 2-3 inches in diameter. Use the ax, that everyone should always have with them, and shave two flat places about four feet from one end. Your knees go here. Lay the poles parallel on the ice and a couple feet apart. Kneel on the flattened spots and lean forward and grab a pole with each hand. Now you're on all fours but on top of the poles. Move right hand, knee, and pole forward. Repeat with the left. The poles will help spread your weight as you cross.

Fine, I'll get an ax. Length of handle? preferences??

Good question Alaskan. I was looking at those Fiskars with the wedge style head. I thought that would be a nice addition for when you are camping and don't have a wedge or maul to split firewood.

I liked (key word) my Estwing, but I agree that the blade might be too thin.

I like the Collins ax that Baileys sells. Short, straight handle and a heavy head.

Ok General, for S's and G's, let's say I can't afford one of those Collin's axes or the one that Bushmaster mentioned.....what would you get?

What size handle?

You wont regret a 2.5# head, 28" hickory handle, BOY'S AXE. Sand the varnish off the handle so it wont be slippery in the snow. Sharpen and sand the factory paint off the head. At most your out $25 if you lose it. I've got reflective tape on mine incase I do forget it somewhere.

None of those fancy plastic/rubber handled ones? I'm going to have to get to a town that has some sort of "options" when purchasing such an important tool.

More good tips, thanks.

If you can't afford one of these I'd get a free credit report and take one of those multiple credit card offers. of course you can afford one!

I like the 28" handle and the 2.5# head. I prefer wood. Easier to replace than some epoxied-in piece of plastic.


Another great tool is one of those Swedish axes with the replacable blades. Great for smaller stuff.

Got the Swede Axe, but it doesn't check the ice as well....at least that would be my guess.