Backcountry Without Water

[JPD350]

5miles to water?

Ive hunted the Gila…and my thought is if a guy is hunting 5 miles from a water source then he is in the wrong spot.

In the mtns, you can typically find a seep somewhere…and no surprise, there is usually animals using it.

In the southern states, you might have to filter and boil a nasty water source (still rare) . I’ve only had to do it once in a severe drought and of course it was the one trip I talked my wife into joining me, she hasnt come since.
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Yep, no elk in those dry areas.......

Lots of areas in the Gila wilderness have no active seeps or springs during Sept hunts, there are tanks around like Trophyhill said but only a few have a decent amount of water that you can filter. One would think that there wouldn't be cattle in the wilderness but there are quite a few down there and they can make what water there is downright nasty.

Friggen water stealing bears!!

Oh and once in a while you'll get some A hole to take/steal your last bit of water, go thru your gear and lay in your sleeping bag.........long story made extremely short

 

[Dos Perros]

5miles to water?

Ive hunted the Gila…and my thought is if a guy is hunting 5 miles from a water source then he is in the wrong spot.

In the mtns, you can typically find a seep somewhere…and no surprise, there is usually animals using it.

In the southern states, you might have to filter and boil a nasty water source (still rare) . I’ve only had to do it once in a severe drought and of course it was the one trip I talked my wife into joining me, she hasnt come since.
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There are absolutely spots even in MT where elk are moving 6 miles to water on private and then bedding on public, at least during a dry year like this year. Huge elk worth going through some hardship for.

I used to hunt a spot in Colorado where drinking water was just off the public and on private, not that far distance wise, but still inaccessible. Again, big elk and also lots of elk. This was an OTC unit. I would have hunted another spot if I had a better option, just tough to find hunting like that on CO OTC. I'll go back and plan accordingly.

 

[trophyhill]

Yep, no elk in those dry areas.......

Lots of areas in the Gila wilderness have no active seeps or springs during Sept hunts, there are tanks around like Trophyhill said but only a few have a decent amount of water that you can filter. One would think that there wouldn't be cattle in the wilderness but there are quite a few down there and they can make what water there is downright nasty.

Friggen water stealing bears!!

Oh and once in a while you'll get some A hole to take/steal your last bit of water, go thru your gear and lay in your sleeping bag.........long story made extremely short

Yeah the cattle have literally destroyed certain riparian areas. Devastated with over grazing and cow shit all over it. I just don’t get how or why especially during droughts, that it’s ok to do this while only the elk eat their plush grass on private only a couple miles away. Yet “I need more tags because the elk are breaking my fences, drinking my water and eating my grass” Just blows me away……