A few years ago I was hunting in mid December in Illinois on a private farm. I was stalking an area where does usually bedded on one side of heavily wooded pond that stretched about 150 yards in length and about 50 yards in width.

It took about an hour for me, on a slow stalk,to get to a good vantage point where I saw that their were no deer in the usual beds. I decided to try and creep up to another bedding areaabout another 1/2 a mile away. But I knew If I could cross the pondI could save myself a good half hour at least.

So here I am (being stupid) lying face down on about 2 inches of ice crossing a 50 yard distance trying to reach the other side.I was lying face down to spread my weight (FYI). Half way across I slid my bow to the other side when suddenly the ice made a loud crack and actually felt the entire pond shift! Now I am fully dressedin overalls, boots, winter jacket etc.!! If I go under I don't know that I could lift myself up...(yeah, this was a dumb idea!)

Eventually I made it to the other side.. took a huge sigh of relief.. and never told my girlfriend about the incident.