Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game How much water?

So kinda curious how much water everyone packs for a 1 day or over night trip? Is there such thing as too much of too little? Also if there are any fellow CA A-zone hunters or anyone from a state that knows what it's like to hunt in the middle of July or August in 90-100 degree heat i'd love to hear your experiences and opinions. I personally pack around six 16 oz bottles but starting to feel that's overkill depending on terrain. On average it's a 3-4 mile hike.

Backpacking or base camping? I generally take about 1 gal. per day in the truck and 2 or 3 quarts with me in the day pack depending on conditions. Not from Cali but I've seen hot.

A case of water in the truck, two 1-liter bottles in my pack, plus water purification tablets.

For the most part base camp hunting. But a few spots it's about a mile to hike to camp. What's the season over in NV like?

As little as possible as long as there is a water source for me to refill. A lot will depend on where I am hunting.

Your body will ration water at a much better rate than your pack will. Hydration starts days before the expedition.

With that said, I like 2 qts on me, a couple more at the tent, and always carry a LifeStraw and/or tabs.

Out of curiosity, what are you hunting in July & August there?

Re water, I keep plenty in the Jeep and at camp. Gallons.

In my pack, a couple of quarts. Also, I sometimes carry a water filter/pump, so I can replenish at small streams.

Guy

If my wife and MIL are along, there's no such thing and too much water. It'll all get used.

I've backpacked in northern New Mexico in the summer. Water sources are abundant but often the water must be purified. I don't know how much water a person will consume daily under rigorous conditions in the heat, but it's a lot more than I thought.

At least a gallon!

When car camping, I carry at least one 5 gallon jug in the truck. Maybe more depending on location, conditions, and length of anticipated stay.

When day hiking/hunting out of a base camp I carry a quart and a water filter. If there's snow on the ground, I carry an Optimus Crux, a small canister of Isobutane, and a 12 ounce titanium cup, to melt snow.

When Backpacking, I carry about 1/2 liter and a filter.

Hiking in summer, one gallon per day minimum. If water is available along the route 2 quart bottles and a good filter. I can no longer use iodine based purification. If I will be returning to camp for the night just a quart.

In many parts of A zone there isn’t much water available so carrying it on your back is usually the norm. I have packed in water to camp ahead of time but definitely need to be careful with the storage of it. I’d rather carry a little extra than not have enough.
Do you use any hydration mix or carry a Gatorade? I’ve found it a big help during mid day.

Hello cascade,
Our general deer season starts in July for archery and 2nd weekend in August for rifle. It's pretty miserable and not and for the most part there isn't much water sources out there.

That's probably the most true statement I've heard for hunting A zone. I've kicked around the idea of making a "time capsule" so to speak , out of 10 inch diameter pvc to secure to a tree and put a screw on cap to house bottles of water inside, then hiking in a few days before and dropping them off. Might actually try it this year.

I can't answer about how much water I carried in early August in the A Zone as that was a long time ago. I can say that one hot August day I killed a nice buck there and as I was dressing it out, the damned yellow jackets got more of the meat than I did, plus I was stung four or five times. I swore right then I would never hunt the early season again in that August heat.

Always waited for the later cooler seasons in the Sierra. Much more pleasant hunting and when I killed a buck, I got home with the meat and the yellow jackets were nowhere to be seen.

That is my experience with the August zone in So. Calif. Have fun.

L.W.

I almost forgot about those things until now....those guys can ruin anybody's day. More reason to do the late season muzzleloader tag out here lol.

I use a 12 oz bottle which has a filter that removes all the nastiness that may be in the water. I have the luxury of streams & water sources that allow me to refill. If you don;t have such water available where you hunt it would probably be a trial & error for you to find out. You might go on a pre hunt hike to determine what your personal consumption might be. Physical size , overweight smoker, etc makes a difference. Also how much salty food you consume before you hunt. One size does not fit every one. If your hauling out game with heavy perspiration water demands will be more. I also carry some of the small fruit juice containers for added energy as well as moisture. If you use these make sure they are 100% fruit juice with no salt.

I like to get out and spend 1/2 day hiking around for vermin and will carry a couple 16oz bottles on me and have 2 more in the truck, I’m well hydrated before I start too.

For me July august heat one gallon a day wouldn't even be close. I can sweat out a gallon just sitting in the shade if its 85 or above. Just how my body works. And be miserable the whole time too.

More normal temps, backpack CO Sept MZ and Archery, at least 32 oz bottle, and a liter water bladder typically, depending availability of water as to how full everything always is, but even with filters I tended to err to carry a bit extra... I've been thirsty in NM when it was not even that warm, and that SUCKs...

Water is WAY more important than food. And lack of water starts to shut down vital body processes, shunting those you loose energy, time, etc...