So, I have a huge fear of water and what lays beneath but I want to set some snares for beaver under the ice. I have quite the fear of ice as well especially if I don’t see someone else’s boot tracks or tire tracks in front of me.
My questions are how close can I get to the feed pile before falling through? Can I stand on the ice in the middle of the feed pile or is the whole feed pile ice super thin?
Will there be a run all the way to the feed pile that has thin ice the whole way from the lodge?
Can I stand right up against the run with no worry of breaking through?
How thin is the ice above a run? I don’t want to die.

Just play it safe.......and stay home and watch the Bachelor......lol

I’ve done that for the last 10 years. Lol

Take your wife with you and make her walk in front of you.

Just use a ice spud and sound your way along. If the spud goes through, sure hope you brought the ivory.....soap for your yearly bath.
An axe really does not give good ice sound.
Where the ladder goes up the house is usually their run under the ice to the feed pile.
How much more snow do you have down there.... that dictates how much ice you have.
Keep away from the middle of the feed pile....too many trigs to deal with.
What happened to all that June beaver you put away...did the kids get hungry.?

Have your dash cam on your snow machine so we can see " The dead mans knock" footage.

That's the sound when the hangman pulls the lever.....you have the same sound when the ice gives way.
Been there...done that...move on.eh

If you have an ice spud with practice in shallow water you can learn how to test the ice in front of you as you walk. If you havent done that you should stay away from beaver houses and feed beds. Ice can vary in thickness from safe to unsafe in less than a foot of distance.

I have the beaver still in the freezers. They were going to be my Marten bait this year but that’s not happening this year, so they’ll be next years bait.
If I hit the ice every 12” in front of me will that keep me on top of the ice? I’m guessing eventually the ice spud will punch through and that’s where I stop?
Am I safe standing next to the hole if I punch through or should I back up quickly?

Each Pond, creek, river , Slough....that has beaver colony is Different. Wear waders, use the Spud in frint of you with a rope loop on the spud around your hand. Usually the Edges around and just outside the feed pile is the thinnest ice. You will learn that Each location is different. Just be wary and you should be fine.

Carry a pair of ice picks looped around your neck and held in your front jacket pockets. They will help you get out if and when you go in.

Moosetrot

I'd end up sticking an ice pick in my last remaining carotid artery as I went through the ice

Are there any springs or artisian wells in that area...... what happens this time of year is the ice becomes thick and the warm water from the springs cut channels through the ice so a foot can go over night.
If you punch a hole through.... spread your legs and shuffle slowly backwards. Have a couple of stout branches to stand on, and start the chainsaw and cut your holes.

You should have come up and seen Rally Hess snaring beaver seminar last spring and you would not have been asking these questions but been on you 20 beaver by now.

Check with you municipal office if they have any bounty 50 bucks is 50 bucks.

It was exhaustion that almost took me out. I scout most of the flowages I intend to trap early in the season so I know about what the average water depth is. I'm going to die eventually but I'd rather not do it under the ice.

Don't you use them ice picy's to break the ice up for your drink at the end of the day beaver trapping

In addition to a good ice spud, I ware a life vest. Better have it and not need it than need it and not have it!

I have no idea if there’s any springs flowing there. Can I use a pole 2” wide as an ice tester?
I want to set snares tomorrow. I’m gonna set 3 snare posts around the feed pile and hope the river isn’t over my head. I have a feeling it’s 10 feet deep though.

Another thing you can do is use some snowshoes to stand on....or just a couple of poles. The idea is to spread your weight out somewhat. Whatever you do........do NOT strap your feet into the snowshoes. If the ice is that thin you shouldn't be on it. Your Spud is your best friend. Check every step. You'll be OK . Common sense rules but don't let fear stop you from what you want to do.

A lifeline to shore might not be a bad idea if you don't need two hundred yards worth.

lol keep us posted on how it goes, I've fallen through before and I'm sure I will again

Jump out there on a pogo stick....

Did you say river..............that's a whole new problem to work with flowing water.....especially when the flowage comes from those drains from the USA.
They usually open up the Roseau retention to have them empty for the spring.

if your using snares make sure they are in line with the flow and they will not go off.
When its warms up on the wkn they should be coming out after this long cold snap.