News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
January 13, 2006
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://m1e.net/c?26270303-P6H88Dnm2DxHM%401383793-D61r1HR7FTNNc

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CONTACT:
Maj. Tim Acerno: (603) 271-3129 
Mark Beauchesne: (603) 271-3212 
Jane Vachon: (603) 271-3211 
January 13, 2006 


N.H. ICE CONDITIONS UNPREDICTABLE -- CHECK BEFORE YOU GO OUT ON ICE

CONCORD, N.H. -- Warm spells, rain and snow cover this winter mean the 
condition of ice on New Hampshire's waterbodies is unpredictable at 
best this year. New Hampshire Fish and Game officials urge you to play it 
safe and check ice carefully before you venture onto ice-covered 
waters. 

"Always test the ice - don't just head out blindly across a lake," said 
Major Tim Acerno, who coordinates OHRV education and enforcement for 
Fish and Game. How can you tell if ice is safe? There are no guarantees 
-- always consider ice potentially dangerous. Assess ice safety by using 
an ice chisel to chop a hole in the ice to determine its thickness and 
condition. Make sure you continue to do this as you go further out on 
to the ice, because the thickness of the ice will not be uniform all 
over the pond or lake. 

The Cold Region Research Laboratory in Hanover offers a "rule of thumb" 
on ice thickness, suggesting that there should be a minimum of six 
inches of hard ice before individual foot travel, and eight to ten inches 
of hard ice for snow machine or ATV travel. Don't rely totally on these 
guidelines this year, though, cautions Acerno. Ice may be thick, but 
not strong, because of varying weather conditions. Warming trends can 
break down the ice, and the slushy surface then freezes, forming weaker 
ice. 

Ice can be especially treacherous for children. "NEVER allow children 
to go out on the ice by themselves," said Acerno. "And don't ever let 
children venture onto the ice on rivers and streams, because the current 
makes the ice so unpredictable. In fact, I would never go out on river 
ice myself, even in the middle of February." 

Watch for areas of danger on ponds and lakes as well, says Acerno, 
especially areas where there is current, like inlets, outlets and spring 
holes, and the ice can be dangerously thin.

Snowmobile enthusiasts should be especially careful to keep ice safety 
in mind. Several incidents already this season underscore this point: 
Snowmobile operators have gone through the ice on the Pemigewasset River 
and on Island Pond in Derry. Luckily, these snowmobilers survived, 
though their snow machines were submerged. 

"Riders should remember to check local conditions before heading out on 
snowmobile trails or on the ice. Don't assume a trail is safe just 
because it's there!" says Acerno. Ask about conditions at local snowmobile 
clubs or sporting goods shops before you go. 

Better yet, avoid riding out on the ice at all. "New Hampshire has a 
fantastic trail system and none of the trails funded by the N.H. Bureau 
of Trails go over frozen waterbodies," said Acerno. " A snowmobile trail 
may go to the water's edge, but there is always an optional shoreline 
trail to go around a pond or lake." 

Snowmobilers should also be aware that since 2005, the dangerous 
practice of operating snowmobiles on open water, also known as skimming, is 
illegal in New Hampshire. 

For a free brochure from Fish and Game called "Safety on Ice - Tips for 
Anglers," call (603) 271-3212 or visit 
http://m1e.net/c?26270303-PBCuxNVcH4cIA%401383794-4OB.d1CGJJEHY


-- 
Copyright 2005 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.