Expensive Hydration Bladders - I don't think so

[ICEMAN]

I know for a fact, I hunt better and longer when I constantly drink from my camelbak.  Turkey season is a prime example, I can hunt way longer and feel better by staying hydrated.  As a kid I used to hunt all day without water and I'd get back to the truck and drink and drink from a gallon jug of warm water.  This is soooo much better now.

Totally agree machias.

Dave, very cool little story and great pic. Looks like they could also hit the fish? Boat in the pic? Camp Half Way?

[Machias]

Love that photo!~!

[Alchase]

All my packs now have hydration units. One thing I have noticed is that I do drink allot more when using the hydration units then when I use to with a canteen. Part of that was ingrained to never have a partially full canteen do to noise. Another thing is drinking from a tube is not as satisfying as opening the lid and taking a nice big swallow. So now I drink twice as much and still do not feel as hydrated, lol
I know it does not make sense but that is what it feels like. 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I had 2 camel backs in the persian gulf in 99 while doing boardings in the north arabian gulf they were life savers, on a boat searching cargo boxes for 12 hours a day in 110 degree heat in the sun. I will never go on a long hike without one again. I also like carrying water with out it sloshing around.

I carry a 2 liter hydration pack, and 2 1 liter bottles to refill it with when it is empty. I also drink 2 liters of water before bed.
I got a pack from Joes 3 years ago for 9.99 and it works better than my old camel backs because it is a pack also, not just a hydration bladder holder.

[Intruder]

I used to think these bladders were kinda goofy too.  However I bit the bullet and bought an 80oz bladder last fall.  All I can say is I totally think they rock.  I drink more water, carry it more comfortably, access it much easier, and feel much better at the end of the day.

[rasbo]

I have used a "Platapus" blatter for 4 years now. I have used the water bottle and it makes to much noise as it gets empty and takes up much needed space. The cheap water blatters always tend to taste bad and its very difficult to get rid of the bad taste of rubber in most of them.

The "Platapus" i use has a opening like a "Zip Loc" bag that i can put ice in it and it does not leak andare very easy to clean.

I always squeeze a little lemon with my water in the morning,not much but its really refreshing

[mtndew]

One BIG drawback is hunting in very cold weather, the water freezes in the tube! I went back to a water bottle because most of my hunts take place in cold weather

[Wolf Track]

Ditto this...

I have bladder bags for fire fighting, but not huning any more...

It's easier to heat the water up, put it in the bottle, tie it around your neck, hanging on your front under your shirts and coats to keep it from freezing and use the bottle to help keep you warm at the same time

I suppose the same could be done with the bladder, but to each their own...

[Jekemi]

Camp Halfway! The boat was rotted out as I recall. I used to play in it as a kid. I don't think my Grandfather was much of a fisherman. My dad tells me that he and his hunting buddies drank a bunch on those hunting trips. He'd come home a little hung over but he always got his deer. This is why my dad didn' hunt. His dad never took him hunting because his hunting trips were a way to get away from home and associate with his drinking buddies. I had to pick it up on my own.

Oh, I ordered a bladder. $25 bucks. Camelback.

[ICEMAN]

Hey, you will definitely love the bladder.   

Did you just modify your name to read "Old Hunter Learning new Tricks?" 

[Slider]

I use a Camelbak 100 oz and have an adapter on the hose. You can hook a water purifier to it and fill the bladder without removing it from your pack.

http://www.camelbak.com/index.cfm

[dbllunger]

Plastic canteens while hunting....actual water carrier with bite tube when riding DB's.

[farmin4u_98948]

Camp Halfway! The boat was rotted out as I recall. I used to play in it as a kid. I don't think my Grandfather was much of a fisherman. My dad tells me that he and his hunting buddies drank a bunch on those hunting trips. He'd come home a little hung over but he always got his deer. This is why my dad didn' hunt. His dad never took him hunting because his hunting trips were a way to get away from home and associate with his drinking buddies. I had to pick it up on my own.

Oh, I ordered a bladder. $25 bucks. Camelback.

Which part did you have to pick up on your own. The  hunting or getting away from home with associates/drinking buddies!!!   

[Jekemi]

I've had the drinking and getting away with buddies for many many years now. The hunting thing I just picked up about 5 years ago