Finding H2O

[weedwacker42]

I'm wondering what folks do to find water in the SW, particularly NM. The unit we are hunting has no discernable bodies of water (lakes, ponds) that I can find on google earth even scanning different historical times of year. There are some scattered "tanks", but these are mostly located on roads. Ideally, we'll be away from the roads. Maps show "springs" as well throughout the unit, but I have no clue how to take advantage of these potential sources. Anyone know how this is done? I have tried looking up making "seeps", but, to me, I might as well stumble around with divining rod. Probably as much luck as figuring out where and how to make a seep. We will be early archery season which has the potential for rain/monsoons. Rains could make this a moot point, but I want to be prepared for the worst case scenario. Would you just plan on packing in as much water as possible? Do we need to just stay closer to the truck? Of course whatever we find will need to be filtered, etc and will plan for some type of system with backup. Any recommendations, experience or links would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[yhudson]

I've never relied on this app, but I found it a couple of years ago and can attest the layer which shows water sources is very good. The app is Gaia GPS.


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[JPD350]

It is definitely an issue in NM, nothing worse than hiking in and finding out the tank or spring is obsolete, it "really depends" on where you are going. I have learned from many years of water-less quests that I never rely on any tank or spring unless I have scouted it prior. I have also closely watched the weather and had storm after storm go through an area and thought there has to be water in the tank, only to walk up to a dirt pit.

If I can't scout and I want to stay for a couple nights I always carry enough water for 2.5 days. There is usually a tank somewhere within a couple miles of most places, so if you packed some water in you have some time to find a water source. If you look at google earth historical pics and you find a tank that has water in most of the pics then water will probably be there, UNLESS it has recently washed out!! which is why I always start with a couple days of water. If you end up at a tank with no water you have two days to find where the animals are drinking from, you can often see all the tracks from animals looking for water, they usually leave in the direction of the next tank or water source, I have found some of my best spots this way.

 

[MarlinMark]

Isn't a seep just digging into the ground at a known spring to allow water to pool?

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[weedwacker42]

It is definitely an issue in NM, nothing worse than hiking in and finding out the tank or spring is obsolete, it "really depends" on where you are going. I have learned from many years of water-less quests that I never rely on any tank or spring unless I have scouted it prior. I have also closely watched the weather and had storm after storm go through an area and thought there has to be water in the tank, only to walk up to a dirt pit.

If I can't scout and I want to stay for a couple nights I always carry enough water for 2.5 days. There is usually a tank somewhere within a couple miles of most places, so if you packed some water in you have some time to find a water source. If you look at google earth historical pics and you find a tank that has water in most of the pics then water will probably be there, UNLESS it has recently washed out!! which is why I always start with a couple days of water. If you end up at a tank with no water you have two days to find where the animals are drinking from, you can often see all the tracks from animals looking for water, they usually leave in the direction of the next tank or water source, I have found some of my best spots this way.

Thanks for the info. We are in Unit 13, not too far from you. Not a ton of info out on the web for this unit. Sounds like a lot of hunters seem to day hunt from trucks around there, but we are hoping to pack in. Still trying to figure out where to start. Its interesting looking at the maps of more arid regions. Not a lot of those dense, dark, north facing slopes. Seem to be a lot of roads through the National Forest (if they are passable). Looks like the unit got over an inch of rain last month. We won't have much for scouting time, so we'll be going on the fly. Have you ever tried to dig out a seep at a spring location or just rely on tanks and carried water?

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Water procurement in a dessert environment requires some outside the box critical thinking.

Solar stills: a trash bag covering a small green vegetation type in the sun for a couple of hours can yield a half a cup or more at a time.

A rain shower collection device: a trash bag opened up and laid over a depression or suspended to catch run off can yield several qrts in the right blast of precipitation.

Dew traps: work the same way except you collect water in the morning after temperature flux has created dew that collects into your bag.

Cactus hold water.

Search the north-facing sides (coolest sides of terrain features) for standing collected rain, which often settle in sandstone depressions in rock structures. But this is limited by sun exposure and precip. Take Aqua Mira drops to purify any standing water source.

Best advice is to travel with 2-4 qts, use it sparingly, and collect what you can by other means to ration your h20 along the journey.

 

[Doghed]

I know the past few September archery seasons seasons that area has seen a good amount of rain. There is a good chance that many tanks will have some water. That being said most of the areas in that unit could be hunted in 2 day trips from a truck/base camp. I personally do not rely on springs/tanks in these areas except to be aware of them for emergencies. Depending on how many preseason scouting trips you get, that hunt could be difficult enough without having to worry about where your water is coming from. Also if you are coming from Kansas the altitude could require you to hydrate more than you are used to.

 

[weedwacker42]

Thanks Doghed. Yeah, looking at that unit (at least the huntable areas) seems there are plenty of roads to access much of the forest. And we have thought of the altitude thing quite a bit. Family has a trip to CO this summer and planning some hikes to see how well I acclimate. Definitely need to stay hydrated. We won't be out there to scout any, unfortunately, so trying to find all the info online and with NMDGF/Biologists/word of mouth that we can. Sounds like low density, but (possibly) larger animals in the unit. Should be a nice and challenging hunt.

 

[GrantMan]

I would pack in as much water as you can carry and then another quart or two. 7.5 minute quad maps are a good source for finding springs but I wouldn't count on the spring having water in it. Not sure about about NM but in NV the overpopulation of feral nags combined with the drought in years past have made natural water sources scarce. I would also check with the DOW about guzzler maps and BLM about livestock tanks. Usually if there are a lot of guzzlers in an area that means there might not be many natural springs.

 

[JeremiahH]

pretty good tips on water in the desert environment.

http://www.theactivetimes.com/how-survive-finding-water-desert

 

[Doghed]

I agree challenging but potential. It was my third choice for deer. I'll be in there a time or two this summer with the family. I doubt there is much I could do for you but if I can help out a fellow Kansan PM me here. I'll see it eventually.

BH.

 

[JPD350]

For that unit I would hit an area and move, hit an area and move! there are lots of tanks but many will dry up fairly easy if there are no rains come July/August and that isn't a bad thing considering it tends to consolidate the animals in a particular area. My guess is that NM will have a great monsoon this year because I don't have a tag!! LOL so monitor the monsoon season and have an awesome hunt.
historical tank pictures show the stable water sources and the animals also know where these tanks are, if there is lots of water than the animals are widely dispersed and can be harder to find, I don't know if you have a deer or elk tag but the cow Elk and Does like stable water, just a thought.
JP

 

[weedwacker42]

Thank you all for the help and suggestions. We still have a lot of research to do and every little bit helps. We will be chasing elk, which I understand to be located in the south of the unit in and around the Cibola National Forest. Not entirely sure how much pressure that unit sees, but I have to imagine we will see plenty of hunters out in the first archery season.

Doghed, I appreciate the offer. I am sure I will be reaching out to you and would love to hear what you're seeing this summer.

Looks like my second swipe on my weather app will be changed to Datil or Magdalena, NM.

 

[Tberg]

I've been using Game Planner Maps map viewer. Its been very useful for all my map scouting this year. Best part is its free, just sign-up with your email and start printing maps!

Put a Sawyer water filter in your pack and fill up when you find a good source