Hunt Camp: The water problem

The hunt camp we built years ago we carried in jugged drinking water. And used rain run off, creek water, and melted snow for dishes and whatever. Later we dug a well, which wasn't potable, and pumped it PRN up into a 500 gal. plastic tank on a exterior metal tower, gravity fed, into the camp including a hot water tank for showers. The system used to freeze up in cold weather. Not perfect but it gets the job done for approx. 10 men per week. Would have preferred to drill a well and do it up right the first time but we got out voted on that. It is a hunt camp, so one does expect the water luxuries of home. So one gets by with the water available.
 
Had same problem with a tote.painted it black no light no algae growth.

Hey! I just learned something here ^^. I have seen some white or clear plastic water tanks with a black felt covering, now I know why!
Where can I buy some of that black felt tank covering so that I can still see what the tank contents are looking like?
 
Hey guys thanks for all the ideas. My father and I bought 40 acres of bedrock and jackpine that I hope to start building a deer camp on next year. We don't have access to power or water and definitely can't do a sand point! I don't have any soil and am going to build a solar composting outhouse. Water will be an issue and I like the suggestions here!
 
Hey guys thanks for all the ideas. My father and I bought 40 acres of bedrock and jackpine that I hope to start building a deer camp on next year. We don't have access to power or water and definitely can't do a sand point! I don't have any soil and am going to build a solar composting outhouse. Water will be an issue and I like the suggestions here!

Gets some eaves trough up ASAP (well once you have a roof of sorts) and put some rain barrels under it. At worst you'll have water for dishes and general cleaning up etc. We stagger them and overflow one into the other so once the first if full it fills the second. Two 45 gallon drums of water can go a ways.
 
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Rainwater collects into big container on the ground. A 12v pump pushes said water into a 55 gallon drum in the rafters over the wood stove when we arrive. A 3/4" copper pipe comes off the bottom of the barrel, goes down to the woodstove, is run back and forth across the back of the stove in a multiple S pattern, then goes back up and re-enters the 55 gallon from near the top.

The 'hot' line for the shower/sink runs from the top of the barrel to the fixtures, the "cold" comes off the bottom (or can be switched over to the storage tank if the water gets too hot), and runs to the shower/sink, and has a take-off line that ripens into a purifier for drinking/cooking/bathroom sink.
 
I think we're talking resorts not camps... Not that I wouldn't enjoy such accoms! I'm feeling very sheepish about what you'll experience out here Brad if you swing out this way. A fire is a luxury.

Angus, I bet you are one hell of an outfitter, but a freakin' terrible salesman.... Lol

The accommodations happened over years..... And the camp, like many in Ontario, evolved from a greasy little cube with a woodstove to a multi family meeting place.....

I will take ten days on the wet coast pursuing a rare trophy over two weeks in the forces on exercise any day.... Let's see, CFB Borden, 42 degrees with the humidex, sand in everything you own, living out of a 2 person lean to while digging trenches..... CFB Meaford, same temperature, same accommodations and rain one hour, scorching sun the next and 3,000 mosquitoes per square yard.....

Have hunted out of everything from an improvised lean to, to a wall tent, pup tent to an 8000 square foot home.... And each and every one was a rewarding experience in its own right...... You do what you have to do to get the game.....
 
As mentioned in NZ most rural people use what they call catchment basins ie. rain barrels. They are all made with black plastic, freezing is not an issue there.

Had same problem with a tote.painted it black no light no algae growth.
 
I think we're talking resorts not camps... Not that I wouldn't enjoy such accoms! I'm feeling very sheepish about what you'll experience out here Brad if you swing out this way. A fire is a luxury.

Yar. If its got heat, running hot water, and electricity that's no longer camping lol

When i was in scouts, we had a cabin on Seymour mountain. No electricity, no running water, heat from the wood stove. And even that felt swanky! Lol to get water you had to go down to the lake with jugs. If it was frozen over you would have to take the pick axe and shovel. Many a kid went for a dip by accident when the ice had just started, you couldn't see where the land ended and water began under the snow...

Y'all make me jealous though. I'd love to have my own piece of paradise. Being a poor student certainly has its downsides...

Anyone using renewable energy and a battery system? (Wind solar or run-of-the-river) or is the upfront cost just too high for something thats only used part time?
 
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Wow, some nice camp setups. While a permanent building would be nice, I think I prefer my tarp/tent hunting setup. I don't like to be tied to a piece of land to hunt on. I have to say that I do feel sorry for our ON brothers, I am sure one day the West will be built up like ON/QC but I am glad it isn't today.
 
Wow, some nice camp setups. While a permanent building would be nice, I think I prefer my tarp/tent hunting setup. I don't like to be tied to a piece of land to hunt on. I have to say that I do feel sorry for our ON brothers, I am sure one day the West will be built up like ON/QC but I am glad it isn't today.

It's not as bad as portrayed..... I can drive a few hours north and have access to tons of beautiful crown land and ample hunting and fishing opportunity.... And I hunt it exactly as you describe.....
 
OP, we've got a water treatment system for sale that will let you drink that pond water with no problem. We bought it for a place where we though we may live for a number of years, but only stayed for 3 months. We don't need it here at our new place. We paid something like $7000., it your's for $3500. PM me if interested, I'll send ya more info on the unit.
 
Angus, I bet you are one hell of an outfitter, but a freakin' terrible salesman.... Lol

He isn't joking about a fire being a luxury, if anything he is sugar coating it too much. Its so wet that the average local can't even pronounce fire correctly, and even fewer have seen one, or even claim to know someone who has seen one. Camp water is easy though; set a cooking pot on a level surface for a moment and the rain will fill it. Timing is tricky though, you have slap a lid on it when its filled to the desired level. Over-fill it and you are screwed, its generally impossible to pour out the excess faster than the rain fills it back up. The inexperienced hunter will sometimes have to resort to taking it back to town just to dump it out. That exposes him to heartless ridicule, which is particularly cruel since the hecklers know full well that it could happen to anyone.
 
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