ND Game and Fish warns hunters about dangers of thin ice

FARGO — North Dakota Game and Fish Department has put out a warning to hunters about the dangers of thin ice.

According to Game and Fish, the recent cold weather in some parts of the state has created ice on some small bodies of water in the state, but they say the ice is still too thin to be on.

While ice can form overnight, it’s thickness is not consistent. Game and Fish says hunters walking the edge of a cattail slough will not find the same ice thickness in the middle.

“We don’t have a lot of snow on the ground around here, and there’s gonna be a lot of people are gonna be out pheasant hunting and deer hunting. We want to encourage people to get outdoors and we always talk about gun safety and hunting safety. Well, hunting safety also includes that ice safety, especially this time of year,” said North Dakota Game and Fish Outreach Biologist Doug Leier.

Cracks, pressure ridges, slushy or darker areas can be a sign of thinner ice.

Daily temperature changes also cause ice to expand and contract, affecting its strength.