Originally Posted by
alleyyooper
Washing a deer's cavity out in a stream I feel is just asking for trouble. I can't think of any place in the lower 48 with a streams water clean enough you can use it as potable water.
Al
There are many streams that are safe enough to use for this but the main point is to drop the core temp quickly and then move to final processing. It wont take long for that to happen in a cold mountain stream typically 15-30 min so even if your source is less than desirable you still have a low risk involved with limited exposure
Running water is something we all look for while scouting for the next hunt. I take it a step further and look for clean, potable sources. This is more essential while hunting the west than the Midwest but a good practice to get into none the less should you find yourself stranded somewhere over night.