Wake up this forum

[270man]

This forum has lain dormant for more than a year. It's time to stir up some conversation, controversy or whatever.

Here is something I would like to pose for all hunters. Do you set up a large, permanent camp for your hunts -- or do you tend to camp light and move a lot? My hunting experiences in Arizona usually feature nice weather (sometimes too warm) and this lends itself to lighter camp setups that are easier to break down and move to another location. This is not always the case however. When the temperatures drop and the precip (rain or snow) begins to fall, I like a comfortable camp with some amenities. For me, that means my small travel trailer and various awnings set up outside for additional protection from the elements.

The problem is that the game may be somewhere else far away, and moving camp is a major exercise. When the weather permits, I might just sleep in my truck with camper shell or even set up a cot just outside the truck. Moving camp, then, is not such a big deal but I still have to put things away when going out to hunt all day.

Camping gear may or may not be vastly different between these two types of hunting camp (mine is). I have to choose between comfort and mobility.

Assuming that you do have to make this choice, how do you hunters handle this? I would like to hear your tips, tricks and gear suggestions (and personal experiences).

270man

[M.T. Pockets]

I love to camp when I hunt. This is my camp for most fishing & hunting trips, it's fine until it's cold enough to snow. Some friends & I survived 5 days of driving rain in Alaska a few years ago in the same model of tent. Every tent camp is a compromise.

Two guys can have it up & ready to go in an hour, taking it down takes just a little longer.

It's no wall tent, but it's served me well. This photo was taken on an antelope hunt in Wyoming this last Sept. We were able to drive right to this camp, if you have to boat in, canoe in or go in on horseback, I'd pack a bit lighter. If I'm driving in I'm going to bring comforts like chairs, air mattress and cold beer & fresh food. I can rough it, but I'd prefer not to if it's not necessary for the hunt.

Give me an old coleman stove (gas) a warm sleeping back and lots of ice and I'm a happy camper.

[M.T. Pockets]

Here's a picture of camp.

[Dan Morris]

I generally set up for 4-6 days when I'm not hunting close to home. Wall tent with cooking fly. Take stuff in in trailer and just enjoy the time and place.
Dan

[Tater]

We usually set up a permanent camp and hike from there. I too can rough it if necessary but I'd much rather have a comfy camp to come back to after a day of humping up and down mountains. If it's just me and Brad we'll take one tent. If there's 3 or 4 of us we'll have two tents (we all sleep on cots). Like I said, I like a comfy camp: chairs, good food and a nice, big, warm sleeping bag

[wrenchman]

I have done it many ways i like to do it with the tent and it is how i started when it get down very low in temp i like to use the trailer.
I have got lasy as i have got older i can rememer tenting it in 20 degreas with a air mattress and sleeping bag.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I don't 'camp' so much, per se......I do stay at a campground, and they have the amenities (flush toilets, hot showers) that make the end of the day. Some day I would like to do a black powder deer hunt/canoe trip down one of the rivers in the U.P.

.....and I'm all for waking up this forum as well.

[Tater]

My buddy and me were talking about hiking in a short way next year; maybe a mile or so from the road and setting up a base camp of sorts. It'll make for a longer hike out to the trucks but it may be worth it to up the odds a little

[rainydays]

We've put in alot of camps during hunting seasons. Boating up the North Fork of the Clearwater river in Idaho till you hit the slack water, than off loading and making camp will always be my favorite. Some good elk hunting in that area.