Water is not only essential to survival but also necessary to effectively hunt. Here’s what you need to know about dehydration and how to stay properly hydrated on your hunting trips.
What is Dehydration?
Dehydration happens when your body is using more water than it’s taking in. Most of us could probably do with drinking more water on a daily basis, but because we’re not facing adverse or strenuous conditions, we’re fine. On hunting trips, however, that lack of hydration can catch up to you very quickly. Dehydration can lead to a loss in endurance, mental focus, and decision-making skills.
When you hear the word “dehydration” you may associate it with heat and dryness. But cold weather can dehydrate you almost as fast as hot weather. In fact, dehydration can occur in any climate, temperature, or weather condition. It’s the physical activity that will zap the water from your body – tracking game, hiking to and from camp, or dragging game back after a successful day.
Things That Increase the Need for Hydration
There are many things on a hunting trip that can affect your hydration. What you do, where you are, and even what you consume can increase your need for water. Here are things that increase your need for hydration:
- Sweat – the more you sweat, the more water you lose within your body.
- High altitude – through respiration, your body loses water twice as fast at high altitude as it does at sea level. High-altitude hunting and hiking can also make you urinate more, increasing the risk of dehydration.
- Exercise – the more exercise you do, the more you sweat; the more you sweat, the more water you lose.
- Caffeine – coffee is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production. If you’re not replacing the fluid you lose, it can result in dehydration.
- Hot weather – the higher the thermometer climbs, the more your body is going to sweat in order to keep cool. This means more water is being lost.
- Cold weather – but even when the thermometer isn’t climbing, you still need water. By bundling up and being active, you’ll sweat and lose water.
Warning Signs of Dehydration
The first warning sign of dehydration might not actually look like a warning sign. If you’re feeling thirsty, you’re already in a state of dehydration. This is an easy fix, as you just need to drink some water. But to combat this before it gets worse, the best approach is to drink on a regular basis, whether you feel thirsty or not.
If you’re having some sugar or food cravings, that can also be a sign of mild to moderate dehydration. Before you grab a snack, drink a large glass of water.
If you dismiss the first few warning signs, you’ll begin to experience more severe signs and symptoms, including headaches, concentration issues, irritability, severe anxiety, confusion, feeling hot, reduced performance, blurred vision, and faintness even while lying down. If you have any of the more serious dehydration symptoms, you’ll need to seek medical attention.
Tips for Staying Hydrated on Hunting Trips
We don’t want any hunters getting dehydrated on their hunting trips. Here are some tips to ensure you stay hydrated.
Start Hydrating Before Your Trip
Hydration should not wait until the day of the hunt. If you start chugging water the morning of your hunting trip, you’re not doing it right.
Start getting more water in your body before your trip. A week before is when you should begin the daily water chugging. This is because pre-hydration will help your body prepare before there is a need. If you’re in a spot where you go without water for an hour or two on your hunt (we don’t recommend this, but it happens), your body will be prepared by being a little extra hydrated.
Keep it Consistent
As we said, there may be a time during your hunt you don’t drink water for a while. It can happen, but try to avoid that as best you can. By regularly having small sips of water throughout the day, there will be a low chance you’ll get dehydrated.
To help you stay consistent, grab a sip of water every time you glass or pull something out of your pack. And when hiking or glassing, make sure your water bottle is within easy reach.
Spice it Up
There are some folks out there who don’t like the taste of water. If you’re one of those people or you just think water is boring, you’re going to need to spice it up to trick yourself into drinking more fluids.
Flavored drink mixes are a great way to do this. Turn your water into fruit punch, iced tea, strawberry watermelon lemonade – whatever flavor you prefer, put it in your water and drink it. Even just squirting a little lime or lemon juice into your water bottle can make it more desirable.
Supplement After Activity
When you’re exerting a lot of energy, water isn’t the only thing you lose. You’ll also be losing potassium, magnesium, and other important minerals while you sweat. So, after a long day of hunting, don’t just refuel with water. Grab some fluid with electrolytes to replenish those nutrients and keep you hydrated.
We hope these tips help you stay hydrated for all your future hunting trips.
Let’s Get Hunting
Not staying properly hydrated can lead to severe consequences, which you don’t want to deal with while out in the middle of nowhere or on a once-on-a-lifetime hunt. We hope these tips help you stay hydrated for all your future hunting trips.
Ready to start thinking about your next hunting trip? Let us take you on a guided hunt in Southwest Colorado. At Soap Mesa Outfitters, we offer quality guided hunts on our 3500-acre private ranch that overlooks Blue Mesa Reservoir. Not to mention, we also have a National Forest Permit, which provides an additional 8000+ acres with utter seclusion due to its limited access. Let us show you what you’ve been missing.
