DNR Rescues Duck Hunters From River

I'm curious how folks here would go about trying to get this boat, I'd be tempted to try winching it from shore. Of course that assumes good access and it's not too far plus the ability to connect it up.
Well... its hard to tell the land around the water from the picture. I have had to do some knarly off-roading on lakes to get a boat off the water before. Never for ice, but once because we ran out of gas, walked all the way around the lake to the truck and then went got on some steep rocks etc, but got the trailer in the water and boat up. Another time was because the ramp was ice and I just knew there was no way to get the truck back back up it if I had launched using the ramp. So I launched and loaded from a beach nearby that was flat. It looks like if you could get a truck on that dirt area in the bottom left of the photo, you could get the boat into the broke up stuff and like you said, just get it close and use the winch strap to get it back on the trailer.

During covid, all lake ramps were shut down. There was a couple who owned a point on one of the best lakes in the state. They opened their gates and put $5 access fee. All you had to do was drop $5 in a bucket, take their home made slip and write the date on it and leave it on your dash. They made a bunch of money doing that. No boat ramp, so we all had to launch form the beach. I did that all summer long and had no issues. A couple big boats got stuck in the mud trying to get out, but little tin boats, I could just wench it up on the trailer if I could only get half the trailer in the water.
 
Well... its hard to tell the land around the water from the picture. I have had to do some knarly off-roading on lakes to get a boat off the water before. Never for ice, but once because we ran out of gas, walked all the way around the lake to the truck and then went got on some steep rocks etc, but got the trailer in the water and boat up. Another time was because the ramp was ice and I just knew there was no way to get the truck back back up it if I had launched using the ramp. So I launched and loaded from a beach nearby that was flat. It looks like if you could get a truck on that dirt area in the bottom left of the photo, you could get the boat into the broke up stuff and like you said, just get it close and use the winch strap to get it back on the trailer.

During covid, all lake ramps were shut down. There was a couple who owned a point on one of the best lakes in the state. They opened their gates and put $5 access fee. All you had to do was drop $5 in a bucket, take their home made slip and write the date on it and leave it on your dash. They made a bunch of money doing that. No boat ramp, so we all had to launch form the beach. I did that all summer long and had no issues. A couple big boats got stuck in the mud trying to get out, but little tin boats, I could just wench it up on the trailer if I could only get half the trailer in the water.
No way to get to that dirt area from above--pretty much a straight drop off above it.
 
I'm curious how folks here would go about trying to get this boat, I'd be tempted to try winching it from shore. Of course that assumes good access and it's not too far plus the ability to connect it up.

Rope-a-long and a long piece of blue steel. Would have to thaw it out, maybe tarp it and a heater?!?!?
 
Rope-a-long and a long piece of blue steel. Would have to thaw it out, maybe tarp it and a heater?!?!?
That's about what I was thinking, might get sketchy if you're the one running the winch or come-along (I assume this is the same thing as a rope-a-long just different name) in case of the cable snapping, would feel better about having a remote controlled truck winch. But probably better advised to wait for a thaw the more I think about it.
 
Kick the motor on and let er rip tater chip!

I wonder if you could get a rope or cable attached to the front of the boat with that air boat, put two guys on the bow of the boat with sledge hammers and break the ice around the boat while the airboat keeps a little pressure pulling it out until it gets to waters it could be towed back to a ramp. I have no idea how thick the ice is though and if thats even a plausible plan. It would suck to be the guys on the bow with that fan blowing cold air on you. Bundle up good and stay warm by pounding ice.
 
Temps jumping to over 55 the remainder of the week--they should be able to run/tow it back to the ramp shortly without any issues.

Our dark goose season ends on Sunday--On a positive note, I have a few working my marsh and a good chance that I will get one last hunt in either Saturday afternoon or Sunday.
 
Kick the motor on and let er rip tater chip!

I wonder if you could get a rope or cable attached to the front of the boat with that air boat, put two guys on the bow of the boat with sledge hammers and break the ice around the boat while the airboat keeps a little pressure pulling it out until it gets to waters it could be towed back to a ramp. I have no idea how thick the ice is though and if thats even a plausible plan. It would suck to be the guys on the bow with that fan blowing cold air on you. Bundle up good and stay warm by pounding ice.
I had that same thought, to have somebody on the front trying to clear the water... Definitely wouldn't be fun, and then I was imagining them being in the line of fire of a tight winch or pull rope, not a good place to be.

Best of luck to those fellows, hope the temps work out for them.
 
That's about what I was thinking, might get sketchy if you're the one running the winch or come-along (I assume this is the same thing as a rope-a-long just different name) in case of the cable snapping, would feel better about having a remote controlled truck winch. But probably better advised to wait for a thaw the more I think about it.
A chainsaw with the appropriate size bar will be their friend!
 
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