6 Hunters, a Deer & a Leaky Boat

MASON CITY, IA--A group of North Iowa hunters is rescued after they break through some river ice and their boat begins to sink.

"Yeah I think it was probably a very scary situation for 'um," said Iowa DNR Conservation Officer Eric Johnston. 

The group of 6 was hunting on some islands in the Cedar River about a mile North of Nashua, along Old Highway Road in Floyd County on Tuesday afternoon.

As they made their way back shortly after 1 p.m., the ice started giving way about 40 yards from shore.

"River ice is always a little trickier than lake ice because you've got the current underneath," said Johnston.  He said one of the hunters told him the ice they fell through was about an inch and a half thick.

The group squeezed into a john boat they had with them which was carrying deer that one of them had shot.

But their small flat-bottomed boat started to sink, so they called 911 for help.

Members of the Nashua volunteer fire department put on cold water suits.

They used a rescue sled and ropes to get the men and their boat safely to shore.

The hunting party included: Bruce Heidt, 40, of Cedar Falls, John Marvin, 50, of Charles City, Jason Wadey, 28, of Nashua, Wesley Wadey, 52 of Nashua, Michael Swenson, 22, of Osage and Jason Swenson, 23, of Staceyville.

The Floyd County Sheriff's Office said there were no injuries and there will be no charges.

Minnesota DNR guidelines suggest waiting until ice is around 4 inches thick before walking on it.

"No ice is safe, use every precaution you can think of and these guys used the precaution of the boat and that was a really good idea," said Johnson.

None of the hunters wanted to be interviewed.