Rookie question here, but with the thermals pushing down in the early AM, are you better off camping low and hunting up in the morning? Or on the flipside, are you better starting the morning up high glassing and waiting until the thermals switch before hunting down? Heading out on my first backpack hunt this fall and would be great to hear some experiences or advice.
Camp up high or down low?
- Thread starter Sioux33
- Start date
swampokie
Veteran member
Thermals generally rise in the morning and settle in the eve. Sometimes it is better to glass from afar and figure out your best time of day for an approach. Thermals are a very vital part of it but not all that you should consider.
Hilltop
Veteran member
Without regard to thermals, animals, wind or weather- Always camp low. The walk back in the dark when your tired is always a bit easier downhill. At the end of a long hunt day, the last thing I want to do is climb the mountain to go to bed.
CrimsonArrow
Very Active Member
I've hunted areas where it would have been beneficial to camp relatively high, but drinking water would be an issue. It depends on the terrain where you hunt. Once you learn the animals' movement patterns, then pick a campsite.
Never in Doubt
Active Member
- Jul 9, 2012
- 304
- 0
It changes based on the situation. Last year I camped high because that's where I was at last light and where I wanted to be at first light. There were also springs nearby. But I didn't cook any food or coffee so smell was at a "minimum".
I don't like to have to climb a mountain first thing in the morning, so why not camp at the top?
I don't like to have to climb a mountain first thing in the morning, so why not camp at the top?
I am glassing from my camp here. I spotted 3 bucks pushing 180 this trip, you can tell based on elevation where I prefer to camp.
Musket Man
Veteran member
I like to camp near where i want to be glassing at first light. I do like to be down a bit from the top no matter what in case there is a thunder storm, rain, snow, or alot of wind. I look for a good fairly sheltered place for camp thats pretty easy to get where I want to glass from, or a good central location from several places I want to glass from. I wouldnt worry about thermals when selecting a place to camp.
I've always prefer to camp high. Glass the tops of the mountains down. You can read the wind and make a fairly easy move to the other side or a canyon that the thermals are what your looking for. Most big bucks in the high country are from the top to a 1/4 down.
25contender
Veteran member
- Mar 20, 2013
- 1,638
- 90
I really like a high camp but tend to move around some. I don't like to get to close to the animals I hunt but want to be able to get to them fairly easy.
Joseph
Active Member
On our packtrips we always look for the water. Preferably a high alpine lake with cutthroat for afternoon fishing with the bonus of fresh fish for supper. If not a creek or spring will do. Sure saves a lot of walking if you're near water.
Montana
Veteran member
I'm following the trend here... high. It's easier to put a stalk together once an animal is spotted. You can cover more ground and do it faster. I'm a big glasser, so unless there is animal spotted their is no need to drop down unless something is spotted. And thats a good problem to have.
CrossCreeks
Veteran member
I like to camp where I can glass early without having to do a lot of walking. The few times I have camped lower, I have always wished that I had camped higer. It lot does depend on where I am expecting to find game !
rsess32
Member
camp up high. you're going to be camping high. no sense in killing yourself walking down a mountain just to hike back up it in the eraly morning. sure the animals camp down low. if you do the same, you run the risk of spooking them out when you start going eearly in the morning. camp high, wake up and start glassing from afar.
Jrod
Active Member
Jrod
Active Member
I prefer to camp lower and hunt up, regardless of thermals. When you start to walk uphill you will walk slower than if you hiking down or across. You are forced to go slower thus, in my opinion, seeing more and noticing more. Walking down to camp after a full day of hiking is much more pleasurable than walking up, just my 2 scents
bowhiker
New Member
I was always told once your up stay up. If you find animals lower then move lower, but above the animals. Always careful of where you camp in relation to the animals though.
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Sawfish
Very Active Member
ddress00
Member
Camp high is my pick. Hours an hours of glassing "down" is easier on my neck. Plus I have typically seen more movement low (depending on season)