How much water do you carry in your pack ?

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

3L minimum, maybe 4 depending. I've ran out of water several times, it can be miserable, especially if you get an animal down.

 

[realunlucky]

Carrying water sucks and adds a bunch of wieght, but running out sucks way more.

I usually carry 4L unless it's somewhere I been before and know where to refill if necessary

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[Marble]

3L bladder and a Nalgene.

That is my standard amount i carry. I have carried more and less, depending on the availability of water.

My buddy has been short on water multiple times on days we killed stuff and have to shuffle meat etc. My thoughts on what water, food and gear I take is generally assuming that I may be back at 0300 or not at all.

Plus it's easier to stay hydrated than to rehydrate.

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[Marble]

Depends, are you susceptible to altitude sickness? Personally I typically carry 2 32 oz nalgenes. For myself maybe 1 spare 16 oz for clients. Especially if they may be susceptible to altitude sickness cause a huge part is dehydration. Also depends how much you drink water wise at night and in the morning. I typically drink a 32 oz between the time I get back and bed, another 32 throughout the night and try to drink at least half in the morning before I leave if we’re having breakfast. This has helped me cut back intake through the day while staying hydrated. I also use wilderness athlete in all my drinks.


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This is exactly what I do also. I have given away my water several times to my hunting partners.


But there is a ton of water where you're hunting also. If you're still in the same area.

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[OSU]

3L bladder and a Nalgene.

That is my standard amount i carry. I have carried more and less, depending on the availability of water.

My buddy has been short on water multiple times on days we killed stuff and have to shuffle meat etc. My thoughts on what water, food and gear I take is generally assuming that I may be back at 0300 or not at all.

Plus it's easier to stay hydrated than to rehydrate.

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This is what I do as well. Plus I bring a steripen. I try and tank up before I go in. I like to have a bit extra in case someone else needs it.
Now when I bring my young boys I bring about a gallon of apple juice. I can drag them anywhere happily as long as we have apple juice for breaks. Once the juice runs out things get ugly

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

This is exactly what I do also. I have given away my water several times to my hunting partners.


But there is a ton of water where you're hunting also. If you're still in the same area.

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Oh ya I still have a small filter and stuff just in case cause we do have water when needed


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[BigAntlerGetter]

This is exactly what I do also. I have given away my water several times to my hunting partners.


But there is a ton of water where you're hunting also. If you're still in the same area.

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Oh ya I still have a small filter and stuff just in case cause we do have water when needed


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[MountainMan83]

3L minimum, maybe 4 depending. I've ran out of water several times, it can be miserable, especially if you get an animal down.

The worst! My water froze as I was quartering a bull solo at dusk. I was hiking back in 5 degree temps with a hindquarter in the dark and without water. I made it back alright but now I carry about 2.5-3 liters and store over half of it in hydro flasks to prevent it from freezing. Try to hydrate when I leave and have a coconut water waiting for me back in the tent.

 

[The Guide]

If you're hunting elk with zero water around, that's a sign.

I hunt a lot of places with no water and lots of elk. Water is on private and public is the timber covered ridge tops above private. Ridge tops have some springs but they are low seeps and often frozen by October and nonexistent in November. The elk travel 3 to 5 miles a day from ridge tops to the river or creek for water. We catch them crossing from hay fields and water back to the bedding areas or by working benches in the bedding areas. I can leave the truck parked by the creek and not have water again for 8+ miles straight line. While this is not the rule for Montana, it is not uncommon for large groups of elk to travel long distances for water daily. This also leads to a phenomenon we have in Montana where huge herds of elk are down in the river bottoms right after we get our first cold snap because all of the water sources up high freeze and the elk go to the private hay fields close to water. Very disheartening to see 300 head on your way up to hunt public land and not see a track all day.

But I digress, for the original post and question I carry 3 liters of water in the pack and drink half a liter of water before I leave the truck to get going. The other half a liter is waiting for me when I come back. The 3 liters I bring are for drinking and making food. When I stop for lunch I usually make a cup of noodles, eat a sandwich, and use the rest of the water I boil for an 8 oz soup mix. These foods warm you up, add sodium, and hydrate you while nourishing you. It isn't uncommon for me to gain 2000 to 3000 vertical feet before I head back down the hill. If you aren't climbing a bunch or don't sweat much you might be able to get away with less but I like to have more than needed.

Jay

 

[Huntnnw]

Pretty much no matter where I am hunting I fill my 3L bladder with water. If I am hunting where there is no water then I need to pack according to how many days out and food/wate requirments

 

[Poser]

I'll go with the 3L + a full bottle camp. You absolutely canot afford to run out and you have to plan for the worst case.

 

[Tobe_B]

I carry three 32oz Nalgene bottles. I used to carry a bladder but on one hunt I lost the valve handle and it would leak every time I bent over or laid my pack down.

I’m usually out of water when I get back to my truck. That’s enough to hydrate, have coffee, and a hot lunch if I’m making one.


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[jgilber5]

Don't plan for optimal either, plan for the worst. Learned that the hard way this year. Usually bring a full 3L bladder and a filter where I hunt which is about enough. Burned through that by 10am, didn't find water till 2, pounded another 3, and barely made it back to the truck with an empty bladder again by dark. Turns out covid whacked me mid hunt and was running a fever all day but it can get pretty scary no matter the reason. Have put myself into severe dehydration and rhabdo a few times and it gets easier for your body to fall into that every time, better not to ever go there at all.

 

[Slick8]

I pre-hydrate heavily before leaving the truck / camp then carry 80-96 ounces as I assume a late kill means back at camp after mid-night. I know it's a lot of weight but dehydration can ruin a hunt. I also add a good sugar free electrolyte mix to my water to compound its effectiveness.

Once I make the initial hike to the morning hunt / glassing area, I'll down as much water as I can. It assures good hydration for the day as you can forget to drink enough at times and it immediately takes a couple pounds from your pack.

 

[Danny Hoey]

I start with 60oz or so and then pump at least twice a day. I like to hunt as light as possible and there always seems to be a good midday break time to refill.

 

[Z Barebow]

If I am hunting areas without filterable water (And it is hot), I carry ~ 3.5 liters. I will guzzle 16+ oz before my morning hike in.

In areas of filterable water, I carry ~ 2 liters. I filter water during midday break.

The area I hunted this year matched my first example. 90+ deg 6 out of first 7 days. (Horrible!)

Watch your pee! If it looks like mountain dew, you are not drinking enough. If it goes orange or brown or you cannot pee, your in dire trouble.

 

[Elkangle]

Seems i always need more when heavy work begins... typical rule is a full liter pluss for breakfast... 3 liters on your back and then another 1 liter at camp that night.. keep hydrated for tomorrow, pack enough you dont need to waist time dropping off looking for water

 

[htlt_surfboards]

4L

 

[dtrkyman]

I try and pound water at camp, morning and night so I am "pre hydrated"

Probably carry 2 smart water bottles full, I think the ones I saved are 20oz.

 

[juglow]

4L for me and a 1L mixed with hydrate and recovery because i will be sweating a ton on that route lol!