How much water do you take with you?

[teddy12b]

I'm new to backpack hunting and I'm trying to figure out how much water people pack in when they go hunting.

If I ever do get a chance to go somewhere It'll probably be for 5 days to a week and I'm going to assume that there will be no water whereever I'm going to use a filtration system.

Any real amount of water gets heavy quick and that's the last thing I want to run out of, so how much do you guys carry in?

 

[300rum]

I'm new to backpack hunting and I'm trying to figure out how much water people pack in when they go hunting.

If I ever do get a chance to go somewhere It'll probably be for 5 days to a week and I'm going to assume that there will be no water whereever I'm going to use a filtration system.

Any real amount of water gets heavy quick and that's the last thing I want to run out of, so how much do you guys carry in?

Hi Teddy12b,

Usually - NONE - All I need is an empty plastic bottle, and when i got across of small creek I refill the bottle with fresh water. (I used a GPS to track all the water sources on the mountain).
The only time when I got with me some water is in plain areas, 750mL/day.
In time I learned a lesson, if I drink more water my body is getting tired, so I tried to keep it at minimal to dont get deshidratated.

 

[kcebcj]

Have backpack hunted extensively in the coast range of California with the temps usually running 85+ and learned that 2 standard military canteens would get me through a day. Now here in Idaho I only carry one as there is lots of water. I don't carry a filter as I use springs and if near the source the water is clean. If you are in a populated area I would filter the water.

 

[royinidaho]

Now here in Idaho I only carry one as there is lots of water. I don't carry a filter as I use springs and if near the source the water is clean.

What about that "giardia" (sic) stuff. How close to the source is "safe"?

I've found that lugging 24 oz around usually gets me by. But, I'm gonna get a filter.

 

[kcebcj]

What about that "giardia" (sic) stuff. How close to the source is "safe"?

I've found that lugging 24 oz around usually gets me by. But, I'm gonna get a filter.

Giardia is a problem in a lot of places where there has been stock especially sheep. I live where I hunt and I know where most the springs are. The water for the place here comes from a spring. Just find where it comes out of the ground. If you don't trust it pack a filter. I never drink from a stream unless I have to.

 

[dogdinger]

if there is no water.....

there arent going to be very many animals. there is always water somewhere. do some preseason scouting and locate the sources that the animals are using. another trick i have used is to pack water in on horses or a dirt bike if that is possible and leave it for later...AJ

 

[teddy12b]

I'm a big guy that sweats like a pig and drinks water like a horse for the most part. It's really not uncommon for me to down a regular sized gatorade bottle only tipping it up in the air one time.

I've got one of those straw looking filters because they look like they'd pack pretty easy, but I'm sure they don't get everything bad out of the water.

I use the 3L camelbaks and one of those can get me through a day and a half but who knows about how much more than that.

 

[8404Vet]

What I do is always have a couple of gallons (3-5) in my truck. If I know camp is going to be a great distance >10 miles from truck, I will make trips beforehand and stash water. I want my hunt to be all about chasing animals, not water.

I can deal with minimal water, but I move so much faster and longer hydrated, so will every else if they'ed admit it or not.

Hope this helps.

 

[norsepeak]

get yourself in good cardio shape and you'll use less water. I carry only about 18oz of water with me and a light weight filter bottle and grab water when I find it.

 

[silvertip-co]

I hike with two quarts, but that not enough for all day. I keep a case of bottle water in my truck almost all the time( story goes with that). In place of water I carry juices and tray to cuthe coffee/cocacola/iced tea habit as mucha s possible. Caffeine dries out the joints and is the worst thing for you before or while hiking. I think some of the vitamin water might be ok but I havent used it much. I come from land of many good springs( not CO) so I tend to risk the giardia and drink out of spring seeps and creeks( not really a good idea but I do it anyway).

Each year my pack gets a lil heavier as I carry more water more ammo more food more more more stuff(while I continually seek lighter and lighter rifles). But it's good exercise.

 

[Skimbleshanks]

2 quarts. I also take maps with water sources and a filtration system. Water is heavy but I would rather be tired from hauling it than dead from not.

 

[Chas1]

Depends on conditions. Could be as much as a gallon or as little as 1/2 gallon. Better to lug the weight than dehydrate.

 

[silvertip-co]

In COlorado you can NEVER carry enuff water with you. I cant imagine drinking from one of the bladder packs they sell( ewww) so I buy it cheap in quart size plastic bottles from ChinaMart then carry two large ones in my daypack. I also get iodine or other treatment pills for the water and refill the bottles as needed during the day. And thru all that I still get ill often. So drinking smaller amounts more frequently is wayyyy important. I;m working on that, so should you. Good luck.

 

[Chas1]

silvertip-co, are you getting ill after drinking the refilled water or after drinking the Chinamart?...I'm assuming it's from China...if so I wouldn't trust any container, water or anything from China.