Setting Up Camp

[BKHunter]

Hey All,

I have posted a few times on here and am hoping to go on my first hunt this fall or the following fall depending on how much planning I can get done and gear I can accumulate. I am still trying to figure this all out and had a question on how you all set up camp when you pack in.

- Once you have determined the area how far back in you want to hunt, do you set up camp and just leave it there while you are out all day? Not to sound naive, I just have a hard time leaving gear behind unattended? Am I being an over cautious person?

- Any tips on ideal camp site locations once you have arrived at your desired hunting grounds?

Thanks for any tips and advice!

BK

 

[JimP]

If I am back packing into a area I'll set up my camp as soon as I get into it. If you wait you may be trying to get it done in the dark. I won't camp right on a trail but go off a little ways to set it up. This not only gets me away from others that might be using the trail but gets me away from it also.

My idea of a ideal camp site may be different than others. What I usually look for is ready access to dry wood for my campfire and some trees to get back into for my honey hole. Water is also important since I doubt that you want to pack in 10 or so gallons of water. Even if water is a couple hundred yards away works for me but not much more than that.

I usually don't worry about my gear when I leave it in the morning. Most hunters that pack in and get away from traffic will not bother it in a set up camp. Perhaps it is the thought that the hunter may come back at any time and will usually be packing a firearm or weapon. Now if you are camped right on a road or just off of it all bets are off with the caliber of some people other there now days.

 

[sodaksooner]

never worried about it. Not saying i'll never have an issue, but imo most people that work that hard at it aren't going to mess with other's stuff.

Not saying there aren't thieving rednecks out west, but you won't be in new york.

 

[go_deep]

Yep, set it up and leave it, even if it's by the road. Someone wants to take the chance of stealing my stuff and me coming back and catching them, have at it.

 

[BKHunter]

Thanks for the piece of mind all!! How far off the trail head to people usually need to pack in before they escape the crowds? I heard after 2 miles you are usually good. As this is my first time I don't want to go to deep in just in case I make a bad newbie mistake and need to get out, or if I'm lucky enough to harvest an animal I'm sure the pack out will be a real learning experience. Do you recommend finding a decent clearing int he timber and setting up there?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I over 50 years of big game hunting in6 western states, I have never had a problem. Camps in the wilderness, backcountry, next to roads and NF campgrounds. Probably lucky, but this has been my experience.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Yep, set it up and leave it, even if it's by the road. Someone wants to take the chance of stealing my stuff and me coming back and catching them, have at it.

In a backcountry, packin area, the most important thing for me is water. I always want to be near a stream if possible.....hate to pack in water!

 

[wa-hunter]

In a backcountry, packin area, the most important thing for me is water. I always want to be near a stream if possible.....hate to pack in water!

this^^^^^^ whenever possible so nice to have water. i have also never had a problem with leaving camp behind by a road or back country. also be ware of dead trees close to camp... scariest night of my life was camped in a burn around tons of dead trees when we got a heck of a wind storm with trees crashing all around... we survived though

 

[RICMIC]

Thanks for the piece of mind all!! How far off the trail head to people usually need to pack in before they escape the crowds? I heard after 2 miles you are usually good. As this is my first time I don't want to go to deep in just in case I make a bad newbie mistake and need to get out, or if I'm lucky enough to harvest an animal I'm sure the pack out will be a real learning experience. Do you recommend finding a decent clearing int he timber and setting up there?

There is no set distance that you go to avoid other people. I suggest that you do some good map research, and find an area with water, and a fair distance off of the trail you hiked in on. A couple hundred yards across a ravine could be enough, or it may be a couple miles. Don't set up on top of a hill under the tallest tree (lightning!!), or in the middle of a big clearing. Remember, that you are hunting, and don't want to change the animals patterns. On my last backpack hunt, we hiked in 2 miles on the trail, and a 1/2 mile bushwack. We were unable to get away from camp except for one day due to a three day storm, yet were able to spot over 30 deer and shot both of our bucks while we were only feet away from our tent. Fires are nice, and sometimes necessary, but I prefer to keep a cold camp to minimize my presence until I have a blood meal to cook.

 

[Slugz]

I personally if going in lite like going high and hunting high to low or at least be close to a good glassing spot.....as others have said.....not to disrupt animal pattern and water close by.

To give you an example of what we do.....I set camp on the edge of National Forest up high in my GMU. Big wall tent that I can truck in on roads that requires chains on all fours 70% of the year. I cut wood in July. Set camp and a trail cam or two 2 weeks prior to the archery opener and leave it. Come back 3 days prior to the opener and start to get after it with 3 or 4 days of glassing from up high.

Usually after muzzleloader starts we will set a spike camp which consists of a 2 man tent and 2 sleeping bags about 5 miles away from main camp so we have options to hunt dawn to dusk and cover a few valleys. That helps alot with pressure some years.

Watch the lightening up high, weak/dead aspens that break off in wind storms and set camp in a direction to help protect from the prevailing wind.

 

[Bughalli]

We could probably get more specific if you mentioned the State, game you are after, weapon, terrain/altitude and month. I've never had issues with my camp being unattended (other than AZ border area). Most people figure you have a weapon and are wearing camo, so only the foolish would do something. I camp in little nooks of medium size (alive) timber where I'm sheltered from weather and view. Go with a low impact and visibility philosophy. In some areas you might need to take extra precautions from bears or rodents getting into your food. Bring a map, compass and GPS. Sometimes it's harder than you think to find camp.

 

[BKHunter]

We could probably get more specific if you mentioned the State, game you are after, weapon, terrain/altitude and month. I've never had issues with my camp being unattended (other than AZ border area). Most people figure you have a weapon and are wearing camo, so only the foolish would do something. I camp in little nooks of medium size (alive) timber where I'm sheltered from weather and view. Go with a low impact and visibility philosophy. In some areas you might need to take extra precautions from bears or rodents getting into your food. Bring a map, compass and GPS. Sometimes it's harder than you think to find camp.

Bughalli,

This is my first time out so I am trying to do an OTC elk tag in Colorado. Weapon I have not decided yet but leaning towards bow as to avoid heavier crowds. I know my chance of success is a lot lower, but I am mainly going to learn and cut my teeth. harvesting an animal would be the icing on the cake.

BK

 

[MtnBuck]

I've never had anything stolen either, but I do take a few precautions like making camp far enough back into the woods that it can't be seen from a trail.

As far as the crowds the area will determine how far back in you need to go. During archery season there are some places that have many hikers & backpackers. Other areas are overran with dirt bikers and ATVs. Try hiking down a relatively easy (flat) trail for at least a few miles and then cut across country another half mile or so.

 

[Slugz]

Bughalli,

This is my first time out so I am trying to do an OTC elk tag in Colorado. Weapon I have not decided yet but leaning towards bow as to avoid heavier crowds. I know my chance of success is a lot lower, but I am mainly going to learn and cut my teeth. harvesting an animal would be the icing on the cake.

BK

Great attitude and plan BK. Feel free to PM me on anything Colorado..

 

[Joseph]

So far I've never had a problem with either camp being disturbed or with leaving the truck at the trailhead. I think that very few thieves will actually hike into wilderness areas, and most people I've come across in the backcountry were just there to enjoy the solitude. I do at times worry about the truck but not until I'm about 500m or so away and I start to wonder if it will be as I left it. As far as where to set up camp if there is an established(unofficial but well used with fire ring, water, and firewood) I will use it if it's where I want to be. Other times I'll just set up camp where all my needs are covered ie. water, wood, level spot, and sheltered from prevailing winds.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I've never had a problem either. Set up your camp off the trail and definitely camp close to a water source. Water if one of the most heaviest things to pack.

 

[IDELKFVR]

Never have had any problem with anyone messing with my stuff. I try to stay off the beaten path. I do worry about the truck sometimes if someone is watching when you come and go. For the most part everyone is trust worthy. Only takes one time for someone to mess that up though.