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December 2019 • Nebraskaland 55 PHOTO BY JUSTIN HAAG In periods of ques onable ice, safety becomes especially important. Regardless of how cold it is, I always do that when I'm on unfamiliar territory. If a heavy bar doesn't go through a er a few solid whacks, I feel confi dent the ice will hold my body for the next step. Similar to any outdoor endeavor, you always want to prepare for the worst case scenario. For those who are wary, life jackets and fl oa ng suits can be worn. Ice picks hanging over your neck will help you pull yourself back onto the ice should you happen to fall through. I carry a rope with a big loop and a fl oa ng bumper on one end – I haven't had to throw it to a wet angler yet, but it's good insurance and I'll keep carrying it in case I need to. While four inches of ice is the standard minimum for ice fi shing, people must realize that all ice isn't the same in strength or consistency – and that there are diff erent types of ice fi shing. Clear ice that freezes uniformly is strongest. As it thaws, turns to slush and refreezes, however, it weakens. Be especially cau ous of areas that have been covered by snow, in eff ect insulated from the cold temperatures. A moving water current below the ice can eat away at it, as can warm wind from above. Exposed items frozen into the ice, such as trees, can also soak up the sunshine and weaken their surroundings. Four inches may be the green light, but it doesn't mean you'll want to throw a dance party on it at that point. The thinner the ice, the more distance people should put between each other and their heavy gear to distribute weight. In periods of thinner ice, it's a good idea to downsize your gear. This might be a good me to work your muscles with a hand drill instead of fi ring up your big gas-powered auger, for instance. Every year, it seems I always get word of a four-wheeler, UTV or other vehicle that sunk because of an owner who pushed things a li le too far. You don't want to be that person. More on Ice Safety When Kiera Haag was 6 and her brother Sawyer was 10, an ice shanty made cold days much more comfortable.