Stashing water, etc.

[JMSZ]

I talked with some people who mentioned stashing supplies (water and even food) while out scouting an area prior to heading out for a multi-day hunt.

Anybody here done it and anybody have any recommendations or things to watch out for that don't seem obvious up front?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I've done both. Biggest problem is that water freezes and will crack plastic containers, so you probably should use metal. I've used the old style steel & alum GI canteens, they work well.

Food is another problem. Critters (bears, mice, etc) have awfully good noses and if they find them, they are gone.

 

[2rocky]

Chip and Dale can be quite inventive when they find a cache.

I've had squirrels chew holes in runbbermaid totes in a campground.

If you hang a bag, Rig up a baffle on the rope to keep rodents out of it,

 

[CrossCreeks]

Hunted with an outfitter who stashed sleeping bags, tent and stove in Metal Military type container. When we packed in, he pulled this box out of the rocks. He did not stash any food or water. Evidently he hunted this location a couple times a year. Seem to work well as it would have been a tough walk in and tougher walk out carrying what he had stashed away.

 

[laxwyo]

I packed in my camp in August and hung my 8L bag from a tree with no problem. You shouldn't have problems in a plastic container if you leave adequate space for the water to expand if frozen .

 

[In God We Trust]

I have packed my camp in a week before season a couple of times. I just wrap everything in a tarp and tie it up tight and hang it up in a tree. I am going to try the water this year in Wyoming when I head up there to hunt mule deer. I figure the water will be ok for a couple of weeks. I would never do food. That will get eaten by critters for sure.

 

[Grantbvfd]

If you do it hide it well. There is nothing I hate more than gear and other man made things "stashed" in the backcountry. If you can't haul it all with you then you shouldn't be back there.

 

[ivorytip]

ive stashed mres and mountain house meals on favorite glassing points. usually do it on scouting trips in late summer. Ive never had need to stash water, more than enough springs and creeks in these woods here to worry about that. like grantbvd said, stash it well, really is an eyesore when you come across a place that makes you wonder if your the only person that's ever been there before, to look down or up and see someone's stash.

 

[In God We Trust]

If you do it hide it well. There is nothing I hate more than gear and other man made things "stashed" in the backcountry. If you can't haul it all with you then you shouldn't be back there.

Well its a good thing the public land I hunt isn't owned by you or I couldn't stash my camp or water in there a week before the season. I am not a fan of people leaving things laying around but stashing a camp in a tree by rope isn't ruining anyone's experience. Give me a break.

 

[Grantbvfd]

Well its a good thing the public land I hunt isn't owned by you or I couldn't stash my camp or water in there a week before the season. I am not a fan of people leaving things laying around but stashing a camp in a tree by rope isn't ruining anyone's experience. Give me a break.

I have no problem if it's hidden. I have seen gallon water jugs right on the trail. Gets old. Have some respect for the backcountry and hide it.