Pull-sleds to carry gear

[db22]

I found a plan in a very old book for a pull-sled to carry everything needed for a full day on the ice. Has anyone here built such a thing? If so, I'd appreciate any ideas you have about the design of a sled.

I don't have a truck, and the last time I drove my little car onto the ice, I got stuck in snow and slush (friends pushed me out to the bare ice). From now on, I'll park at the boat ramp, which is plowed, and drag my hardware out in a sled, pulled by foot power. So far, I have built a plywood box with a drop-down tailgate, big enough for the ice drill, tips, bait bucket, jigging rods, and tackle box. I'm thinking of a kitchen, too -- saving room for a camp stove and cookpot. Runners are 2" PVC pipe. Will post a pic when I get closer to completion, but would appreciate ideas from others.

It's starting to get cold overnight out here in western Wisconsin, but the first ice is still a couple of weeks away. No deer hunting for me this year, so the upcoming icefishing season is what I am looking forward to . . . .

[jgalar]

I built one years ago, but didn't use any plans. I used cheap HomeDepot type wood. I made it high enough to put a Coleman lantern in it. With air intake holes at the bottom and holes near the top I had a heat source. I used 4 1x2s with cheap plastic stapled to them to provide wind protection on 3 sides. The poles were removable and could be rolled up and put in the sled for transporting. It gave a bit of wind protection and heat.

Don't have much need for such now that I live in TX though.

[bilmac]

Yes these sleds basically a box with runners and a top to sit on are very common in western Nebr. Four poles fit in the corners and a covering is wrapped around them on three sides to make a windbrake.

Look at the ice shanty forum. They have many designs.

[db22]

jgalar: Whereabouts in Texas do you live? I was born and raised there, but since an odd turn of fate brought me North some decades ago, I have become a naturalized Cheesehead. My wife, from western Kansas, remarked that "guys who ice-fish must really hate their wives", meaning that they will endure anything to get away from the Missus. She views my own interest in the sport with the same comic spirit, since she knows I am very grateful for her tolerance of my hook-and-bullet pursuits.

bilmac: I wasn't aware of an Ice Shanty forum, but will find it and look at the plans. Many thanks for the direction!

[jgalar]

I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of TX. I have lived in Wisconsin, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Wyoming so I am familiar with freezing my @ss off though.