Using a staff while crossing frozen water is well known, but as you noticed largely overlooked in many survival texts. An old piece of winter gear is a ice chisel on such a staff. This is used to procure water when heating snow is prohibitive energy wise. There are many treasures of information in old ethnology or travel books. Just remember that oftentimes a prohibition against utilising certain animals may be due to cultural taboos. I cannot eat Geese <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> I learned they are my spirit guides by an Indian holyman ( after watching me watch them pass over during a pow wow.) For $29.99 he was conducting sweats for the tourists. I don't know how many people are running around with Eagles,Bears and Mountain Lions for their totems. Stare at the sky while a holyman speaks and you get Bluejays,woodpeckers, swallows and save $29.99 <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Fun story, thanks for sharing <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />