Mystery Ranch questions?

Joined
Aug 8, 2018
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I have a Mystery Ranch Pintler and my 14 year old son has a Pop Up 28.

I am looking for hydration bladders for each of these packs. We mule deer hunt prairie mule deer in South Dakota. Average 5-10 miles a day with no water source. Thinking 3L bladder. In the past we go through 3-5 bottles of water, so a 2-3L should be about right.

Also, any other mods that we can do to either of these packs before season? We are from WI and my Pintler was awesome last year for hauling my Swarovski 15x56 HD’s and SLIK 624cf and packing out my mule deer. The Pop Up is new to us.

Thanks all!
Steve
 
I used to do the bladder thing, but now I primarily just carry 2 or 3 of the SmartWater bottles and refill and reuse those as needed. Lot lighter than a bladder, and if you bust one you still have backup. You get a hole in your water bladder and it'll be a long hot hike back to the truck.

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I have used water bladders for year and my only failures have been now fatal valve issues and freezing. I am not saying it doesn’t happen but a hole can be patched with tenacious tape or duct tape and chances are you have a hole in on bladder, not both. I am not against having a bottle as well though.

As to the bladder, I like 3 liters for a 10 mile day, at least, depending on temps. My favorite brand is Source but must others are just fine. I do strongly prefer ones with a detachable hose so you can pull them out easier to fill and one that have some kind of mechanical shut off for the bite valve. I hang mine from the toggle loop inside the MR water bladder pocket and route the hose through the hole. I use a small Velcro keeper to position the hose for easy reach. I swap the hose from shoulder to shoulder depending on if I am rifle or bow hunting to keep it clear of my stock or string.
 
More and more i'm finding myself carrying less water, and adding hydration powder to the water I do bring. I don't like bladders, but have become quite fond of Klean Kanteen. There's plenty of options out there for sure.
 
100 oz bladder or 3 liter is where it’s at. I drink about 5 times as much than I do when using bottles- which makes a tremendous difference come day 3,4 etc. only bladder failure I have experienced was biting off the bite valve and cross threading the lid. InalwYs thought for sure I’d see someone explode one leaning back on it in body armor against boulders or mraps or bouncing around in the back of one.

I take it for granted that everything I have with me including my body, optics, water bladder gps etc can and will fail and it is incumbent upon me to maintain my equipment to the highest standard possible in whatever austere environment I find myself IOT insure proper function at critical times.
 
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