ND officials issue thin ice warning for hunters as season begins soon

(Bismarck, ND) -- With North Dakota Deer hunting season beginning at the end of the week, officials are issuing warnings to prospective shooters as conditions turn colder in the state and ice begins to form on water bodies. 

North Dakota Deer Season begins on November 10th at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. In some areas of the state, there are bodies of water that already show safe-looking sections of ice. Officials with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department are urging hunters to be incredibly cautious around these newly formed ice floes, as the ice is still not thick enough to reliably support average human weight.

Below are some tips issued by the Game and Fish Department regarding fresh ice in North Dakota.

• Snow can insulate ice, causing the surface to form slower, hide cracks when they appear, and potentially weaken frozen sections of water. Officials say to avoid snow covered ice when dealing with fresh surfaces
• If you must walk on ice, officials urge hunters to avoid cracks, pressure ridges, and slushy and dark areas that could signify thin ice. Similar rules of thumb can be applied to areas under partially submerged trees, brush, or embankments.  
• Temperatures still are fluctuating above and below freezing, which causes ice to expand and contract. This movement impacts ice strength. When temperatures are in flux, be careful when utilizing ice crossings.