NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1512382
December 2023 • Nebraskaland 37 bar before stepping onto it. A few things to look for when traversing ice: • Ice heaves can form when water under the ice fl uctuates and pushes the ice into itself, creating heaves on top of the ice or sometimes underneath it. These are weak areas and should be avoided. • Honeycombed or black ice should be considered unsafe. Also, stay away from areas where objects are sticking up through the ice, such as muskrat lodges, cattails, trees and logs, which store heat from the sun and can weaken the surrounding ice. • Avoid lakes or areas of lakes that are known to have underground springs, or warm water spots, until ice is thicker. Stay well away from open-water areas or ice adjacent to running streams. • Recreate on or near ice with a friend or family member. Take 50 feet of rope with you in case of emergencies. In the event you break through the ice, carry ice safety spikes on your person to help you climb out, and keep extra clothing in the vehicle in case you do fall through. Wearing wet clothing in cold weather will quickly result in hypothermia. Car Troubles Before hitting the road, make sure your vehicle is up-to- date on routine maintenance. Keep the gas tank full, and check weather conditions before traveling. As soon as there's trouble, immediately change the voicemail on your cell phone telling people what has happened and where you are, so if your phone goes dead or you're out of cell service, people can still hear your voice message. If you become trapped in your car during a winter storm, stay in your car and wait for help to fi nd you. Run your engine for short periods of time to stay warm. Keep your down-wind window cracked open and make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow. Hang a brightly-colored piece of cloth or clothing outside your car. Turn on the dome light at night when you are running the engine to help potential rescuers see you. Use a fl ashlight when the car is turned off . Exercise from time to time by vigorously moving your arms, legs, fi ngers and toes to keep blood circulating and to keep warm. Pet Safety Hunting dogs can get caught up in the excitement and push hard before we notice signs of danger. Take breaks to make sure your dog is getting enough water and rest between hunting. In the cold, put boots on the dog's feet to avoid frostbite on their pads. Waterfowl dogs should wear a neoprene coat to keep their bodies warm and provide some buoyancy in the water. Do not send a dog into dangerous water, such as thin or slushy ice on lakes or rivers. Even the strongest swimmer can be taken under the water or ice to their demise. Upland hunting dogs can wear light coats or stomach protectors, but neoprene on these hard-working dogs may make them overheat or get too sweaty, which may cause them to get too wet and cold. Don't take a working dog directly from the fi eld to an outdoor kennel as soon as you return to the vehicle or home, as the dog will keep generating heat, which will put moist air inside the kennel that will quickly turn cold. Let your dog cool down and dry off fi rst. N Recreating in the winter comes with an extra set of risks, so it's better to be overprepared. Be able to start a fi re, build a shelter and have a way to signal for help. If traveling and recreating in a remote location, leave an itinerary with a family member or friend, and stick to your location and time frame so others will know where to look for you in an emergency. GETTY IMAGES ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND