In years past, I have spent a lot of time on the ice. From angling for panfish on lakes and ponds to snaring suckers on the river, I’ve learned a healthy respect for always fishing “safe” ice and being prepared for an unwelcome break-through by myself or someone else.

Always check, know before you go and never go alone has always been my motto when it comes to ice fishing.

Again, Indiana conservation officers are advising citizens across the state of the potential hazards of being on frozen lakes, ponds, rivers and streams this winter. Recent temperature drops across the state have brought about sheets of ice across some bodies of water.

The officers ask everyone to be vigilant and keep a watchful eye on neighborhood retention ponds, lakes and other waterways for any individuals who may venture out and find themselves in trouble.

Every winter, thousands of Hoosiers safely enjoy fishing, skating, hiking or just sliding around on frozen ponds and lakes. And every year, people drown after falling through ice. Just like relearning how to drive on snow versus clear roads, some Hoosiers need to relearn how to safely have fun on ice.

Indiana’s officers want citizens to put safety first. Here are a few tips to remember when considering standing or walking on a frozen lake or pond:

•No ice is safe ice.

•Test the thickness of the ice with an ice auger. At least 4 inches of ice is recommended for ice fishing and 5 inches is recommended for snowmobiling.

•If you don’t know … don‘t go.

•Wear life jackets or flotation coats.

•Carry ice hooks and rope gear.

•When on the ice, leave a note with a friend or family member of your whereabouts.

•Don’t test the thickness of the ice while alone.

The best rule of thumb when walking on ice is to believe you are walking on thin ice. Wearing a lifejacket is especially important when on the ice. If you fall through, a lifejacket will keep your head above the water until help arrives.

“We would like to ask the community keep a close eye out for children in your area who may play on the ice. It takes extreme low temperatures and quite some time to form several inches of ice. We have not had these conditions consistently statewide this winter,” said Conservation Officer Max Winchell.

The coating of snow Indiana just received can also make for treacherous ice conditions. The snow can insulate the ice, causing it to freeze at a slower rate. When the snow and rain freezes into ice, the ice is never as strong as solid, clear ice.

If you see a pet or other animal in distress on the ice, please do not go after it. This often ends in tragedy. Contact your local emergency response personnel, who are equipped to make a rescue on thin ice.

Some bodies of water will appear to be frozen solid but actually have thin ice in several unsuspecting areas. Flowing water, such as rivers and streams, should be avoided when covered by a layer of ice. Water surrounded by sand may freeze with inconsistencies in the thickness of the ice.

Underground springs, wind, waterfowl and other animals like beavers and muskrats may also keep areas of ice thin.

Spring Mill hosts Civil War winter battle

My great grandfather, Francis Marion Spaulding, fought throughout the Civil War and I often wondered how the soldiers survived the brutal heat of the summer and freezing cold of the winter. Just surviving sleeping on the ground night after night in the dead of winter is hard to comprehend. The soldiers must have had legendary skills as outdoorsmen!

Now there’s a chance to see how Civil War soldiers fighting in the North could make it through the winter. Spring Mill State Park will host an event Feb. 16-17 to provide the answer, with a reenactment and interpretive program.

The park’s Pioneer Village will be open from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., with a winter tactical battle at 2 both Saturday and Sunday. At 1:50, visitors will be directed to the viewing areas where they can safely view a reenactors' battle for possession of the village.

Both before and after the battle, visitors are welcome to tour the village, get warm by a fire and visit with the soldiers who have taken possession of the village. Park admission during the event is $7 per vehicle for in-state residents and $9 per vehicle for out-of-state residents. 2019 Annual Entrance Passes are also available.

Spring Mill State Park is located at 3333 State Road 60 East, Mitchell, IN 47446.

Salamonie eagle watch

Spot an eagle at two upcoming eagle watches hosted by Upper Wabash Interpretive Services on Feb. 9-10. Participants will meet at the Salamonie Interpretive Center at 3 p.m. on both days, listen to a brief overview of Indiana’s bald eagles and then caravan to the roost.

Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, cameras and spotting scopes. Visual aids will also be available on-site. There will be some walking on a paved road; individuals who need the available accessible parking should request it upon registration. Participants may choose to leave the site at any time.

For the safety of eagle watch participants, Frances Slocum Road between State Road 124 and County Road 550 E. will be closed for this event. For more information or to register, call 260-468-2127.

Upper Wabash Interpretive Services is located at 3691 S. New Holland Road, Andrews, IN 46702.

NRC approves new nature preserve

The Natural Resources Commission (NRC) approved the designation of Lydick Bog Nature Preserve in St. Joseph County, during its regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 15 at Fort Harrison State Park. The action increases to 288 the number of state-designated sites protected by the Nature Preserves Act.

The Shirley Heinze Land Trust acquired Lydick Bog in 2015. The bog portion of the property provides an extremely rare habitat in northern Indiana. The property is 176.46 acres total and contains approximately 85 acres of upland forest, 65 acres of wetlands and 20 acres of former agricultural land.

The property contains freshwater wetlands interspersed with ridges and islands of upland forest. The wetlands are classified into four distinct types: a large bog along the northeastern section of the property, emergent wetlands, shrub-dominated emergent wetlands and an ephemeral pond along the north-central portion of the property.

The southern border of the property includes the northern shore of North Chain Lake.

The NRC also granted final adoption for proposed amendments to 312 IAC 18-3-25, which will designate additional invasive terrestrial plants as pests or pathogens. The rule will prohibit and restrict the introduction, sale, distribution and transport of the invasive terrestrial plants.

Photo contest entries sought

The Indiana Division of Historic Preservation & Archaeology (DHPA) is once again asking the public to submit photos for its annual Historic Preservation Month photo contest.

The DHPA works to preserve buildings and the built environment, and is looking for photos to celebrate its efforts. Specifically, the division is looking for photos of something preserved, in the process of being preserved or desperately needing to be preserved.

The subject in the photo must be in Indiana and at least 50 years old. The image must show something designed and/or built.

Send an 8-by-10-inch matted image along with the registration form by April 5. The link for the registration form is below. Photographs may be color or black-and-white, and there is a separate category for digitally enhanced photos. There is a limit of three photos per person.

 For a complete list of guidelines and the registration form, go to www.dnr.IN.gov/historic/3994.htm

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by email at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.