How much water do you carry in your pack ?

[rclouse79]

I know it all 'Depends". Lets you have a 7 mile hike hunt planned. No available water anywhere on the hunt route. Idaho in September archery elk. Elevation gain 2000' and hunt route is mostly at 9000'. Temperature 65* for a high. Partly cloudy skies. Light winds less than 10mph. I may have missed a few more variables.

If I chug as much water as I can before leaving the truck, I have found I am good to hunt all day in rugged terrain with 3 L of water. I always carry a steri pen in case I come across an unexpected water source.

 

[Gerbdog]

I carry 3L of water i drink out of - gets me through a day hiking and hunting sunup to sundown - usually depleted by the time i get back to the truck

There is 1L of electrolyte mixed water stashed for elk down situation when the packing starts - need to at least get one load back to the truck to refill the above mentioned 3L

That said i also carry some tablets to purify water - if the plans all fell apart and things have gone real wrong its there to see me through another day or 2 in a bad situation

 

[WyldGoose]

I like two 1qt Nalgene Oasis canteens on my belt, and a 1L Smartwater in the pack.

 

[Next Ridge]

2 Nalgene on any day hunt.

 

[CMF]

Sep archery temps 10k in CO
1.5-2L on day hunt with with water in area, drink at truck or camp before and after, sometimes adding water during the day for lunch/coffee.
3L if I don't know where theres water
4L if I'm staying overnight and don't know where water will be. or more
Increase for warmer lower elevation temps...

 

[Autiger95]

No matter how short of a trip, I always take a 2L bladder and a 32oz bottle with me.
I keep a backup life straw with me as a worst case scenario situation

 

[Dos Perros]

Pound water before, carry 64 to 80 ounces (2 to 2.5 liters).

 

[Dave0317]

I don’t think I’ve ever covered 7 consecutive miles in Elk country and not crossed a stream, spring, or at least a little seep. But, I’ve never hunted the farthest south west states either.

I find I use about 4L every 24 hours. I also found that like others have said, freezing can be an issue. One trip I had to fill up midday only. In the early morning single digit temps, the creek water would freeze as soon as it was in a bag or bottle and not moving.

I also make it a habit to top off when I do come across a little stream every few hours.

 

[bz_711]

70oz camelback, plus usually start day with 24oz shaker of energy mix/caffeine

Always have a sawyer squeeze or mini in pack as well.

 

[svivian]

since it hasnt been mentioned...

If im staying in the area and plan to hunt multiple days i would take and stash some water up there. Would suck the first trip up but better than running out when you need it.

 

[5MilesBack]

I take 3-4 liters every time I head out. I can carry the weight, and I hate getting dehydrated.

 

[Athens]

1 gallon for those conditions minimum. Probobly 2 to be safe.

 

[mtnbound]

I know it all 'Depends". Lets you have a 7 mile hike hunt planned. No available water anywhere on the hunt route. Idaho in September archery elk. Elevation gain 2000' and hunt route is mostly at 9000'. Temperature 65* for a high. Partly cloudy skies. Light winds less than 10mph. I may have missed a few more variables.

A big variable is how much you sweat and whether you will use water to rehydrate any meals. I also would not plan on it being 65 degrees, plan on it being warmer. I would have one 32oz SS Hydro Flask and some type of bladder system with a way to filter any water you find. Even if you are returning to the truck to resupply, I would still carry the bladder system because running short of water can affect your hunt.

 

[kitandace77]

September archery hunts I can make do with 4L/day for a few days including food rehydration and coffee but usually try to average 6-7L/day if heading back to camp or finding water source in the field. If it’s 50deg or colder and I’m not sweating a ton I can cut a liter out of the above numbers.

Tried going light on water my first trip and really paid for it.

 

[GunsAreFun]

3.5 liters assuming this is round trip, and I’d probably try to drink 0.5-1 liter throughout the morning before heading out.

If it was one way, I’d probably add at least 1 liter.

 

[Article 4]

3L bladder and a full Nalgene for me

Same - unless its below freezing or worse. Then I sub the bladder for 3 Nalgenes held deepr in the pack so they don't freeze

 

[DesertPinstripes]

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.

Oof that’s heavy. I wonder how low temps can get before a water with electrolytes freezes. Gotta believe the salt lowers the freezing temp.

 

[rootacres]

For those September hunts where it can get hot. Id say a 3L bladder and a Nalgene. I started carrying the 48 Nalgenes with a supplement in them and having the bladder for water.