Arizona Backcountry Water sources

[jordanblnknshp]

Colorado resident here, so please excuse my ignorance. I finally drew an Arizona rifle mule deer tag and plan on backpacking in to hunt. While backpacking in Colorado I can pretty confidently determine where to locate water for camp purposes using OnX. I am assuming finding a water source to camp next to will be much more difficult in the unit I will be hunting in southeast Arizona.

So question is, in your experience, how much can I trust a "spring" or water tank I find on OnX to actually be there and hold water?

My fear is hiking in 3 miles and a water tank/spring/creek I've identified on maps being completely dry and not having any water to camp for several days. Hunt will be in late October.

What are the best resources to find info on this? I plan on calling the fish and game office and seeing if they have info related to this or can answer questions about specific springs I have pin pointed. Are there other resources I should try?

I appreciate any help!

 

[BBob]

So question is, in your experience, how much can I trust a "spring" or water tank I find on OnX to actually be there and hold water?

You can’t until you physically check it. Springs are notoriously bad and usually dry. Tanks that rely on rain are hit or miss as well. Since it takes real effort to check these things you likely won’t get much info out of people.

There are GIS mapping sources with water locations but you still have to go check them. It’s part and parcel to scouting here in AZ.

I am assuming finding a water source to camp next to will be much more difficult in the unit I will be hunting in southeast Arizona.

I would be prepared to pre-pack water in southern AZ. That or plan on making water runs back to the truck. To add: no camping in AZ within 1/4 mi of a water source used by wildlife/livestock.

 

[jordanblnknshp]

I knew water was going to be a big factor in the trip and appreciate the information, it's very helpful.

 

[Baller]

Always, always plan on packing in your water in AZ. That is the way..

 

[Dirtscoots]

The water you will find you may be able to “purify” but it is most likely cow and elk piss as well as bugs and pretty gross. As an Oregon resident it was eye opening. I don’t even pack water in my day pack quite often we can’t go a half mile without crossing a stream normally lol.

 

[S.Clancy]

Colorado resident here, so please excuse my ignorance. I finally drew an Arizona rifle mule deer tag and plan on backpacking in to hunt. While backpacking in Colorado I can pretty confidently determine where to locate water for camp purposes using OnX. I am assuming finding a water source to camp next to will be much more difficult in the unit I will be hunting in southeast Arizona.

So question is, in your experience, how much can I trust a "spring" or water tank I find on OnX to actually be there and hold water?

My fear is hiking in 3 miles and a water tank/spring/creek I've identified on maps being completely dry and not having any water to camp for several days. Hunt will be in late October.

What are the best resources to find info on this? I plan on calling the fish and game office and seeing if they have info related to this or can answer questions about specific springs I have pin pointed. Are there other resources I should try?

I appreciate any help!

PM me the unit (if you want) and if I've hunted it I can give you what I know about water sources.

 

[dantana]

To the best of my knowledge, hike az has been the best resource to check on and estimate free water availability. They have a map with journal entries and photo logs, you can sort out an area pretty quick with it. HERE

 

[jordanblnknshp]

To the best of my knowledge, hike az has been the best resource to check on and estimate free water availability. They have a map with journal entries and photo logs, you can sort out an area pretty quick with it. HERE

This is a great resource thank you!

 

[StraightTequilaNight]

Lifetime resident of AZ. I'd say maybe 25% of the "springs" shown on ONX will consistently have water in them over the past decade. Too many dry years. If you're looking @ stock tanks or visible water, you can use google earth's historical images to see if the water has been consistently present year over year. Otherwise... I wouldn't trust it. A good water filter is a literal life saver as most of the water you find will not be super fresh & will be full of all kinds of stuff. Good luck on the hunt...

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

PM me the unit if you’d like. I’m out and about in the units of southern AZ year round.

 

[Beendare]

Yep, inconsistent water...and keep in mind...those animals know it.

I hunt that late archery every year. When a rain storm comes through, those deer have all sorts of little pockets in the mtns, rocks and such that hold water for weeks and they may not come in to tanks marked on your map.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Yep, inconsistent water...and keep in mind...those animals know it.

I hunt that late archery every year. When a rain storm comes through, those deer have all sorts of little pockets in the mtns, rocks and such that hold water for weeks and they may not come in to tanks marked on your map.

I’ve seen whitetail (coues) literally dig holes in sand wash pockets to collect monsoon rain.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

If it's a hot, dry summer like this year (yet again), springs will be dry or nearly so.

Dry springs are getting to be more and more of a common theme in AZ, due to climate change, ongoing drought and an ever-increasing state human population that's sucking the water table dry.

Back in the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's, springs were reliable and we had no problems locating good water and plenty of it. But, during the last 20-30 years, those springs are drying up.

About the only way to know for sure, nowadays, is to hike in and check them out.

 

[Rooster46]

If you’re in southern units PM me. The “Samaritan” groups set out water drops for the illegals everywhere…including the wilderness areas. These drops will have gallons of water, food, and even clothes and blankets. It is infuriating when you find them and the entire mountainside is littered with garbage from them. But they always have water.

 

[Mattman215]

If your in a southern unit plan on nearly all water marked locations to be dry. If you don’t know where water is prior to leaving camp do not hike in farther than you can hike out with the water on your back or you will die.

 

[TSimons9]

I would be prepared to pre-pack water in southern AZ. That or plan on making water runs back to the truck. To add: no camping in AZ within 1/4 mi of a water source used by wildlife/livestock.

Bingo. I have gotten lucky and had easy access to water in the past but unless you scout it very close to your hunt I wouldn’t bank on water being there even if it was a month or two before.

That being said the monsoon season will change everything. If they get a good monsoon down there water can get a whole lot easier.

 

[dfhutton]

If you’re in southern units PM me. The “Samaritan” groups set out water drops for the illegals everywhere…including the wilderness areas. These drops will have gallons of water, food, and even clothes and blankets. It is infuriating when you find them and the entire mountainside is littered with garbage from them. But they always have water.

Did not know this was a thing! What groups do this? Do they advertise where the locations are?

 

[fmyth]

To add: no camping in AZ within 1/4 mi of a water source used by wildlife/livestock.

Arizona Revised Statutes § 17-308: "It is unlawful for a person to camp within one-fourth mile of a natural water hole containing water or a man-made watering facility containing water in such a place that wildlife or domestic stock will be denied access to the only reasonably available water.

 

[bowuntr]

Did not know this was a thing! What groups do this? Do they advertise where the locations are?

Blue flags and lights marks the Samaritan spots all over the desert... free water, frijoles and blankets... have at it. The cartel coyotes know the spots well. Ed F

 

[Rooster46]

Did not know this was a thing! What groups do this? Do they advertise where the locations are?

Tucson Samaritans | Humanitarian Aid in the Desert

Tucson Samaritans provide water, food, first aid, and other essential items to migrants who cross the border in southern Arizona. Our goal is to alleviate the suffering of people who are making the arduous journey to a better life across the harsh Sonoran desert.

www.tucsonsamaritans.org

This is the one that puts gallons of water, food, and blankets in milk crates. There are piles and piles of trash around them. Can’t miss them. Sad to see from a wildlife standpoint.