Spiking/Truck Camping/Coyoting - in unit

[HighPlainsHunter]

We upgraded my daughters bunk bed to a regular bed this year and as I removed the futon style mattresses I got to thinking about how they might work pretty good for camping. They are now rolled up in the camping gear and will get used later this year. I have a 2" foam pad from cabelas I use when I camp in my junker denali but it still leaves a lot to be desired. I'm thinking this twin futon mattress is going to be just what my back needed.

 

[Prerylyon]

When I camp/spike for my doe speed goat hunt I'll be in my 2-man Kelty tent. I'll have a zero degree bag-even though it will be later in October-on a knock off therma-rest on the ground in the tent. So far, that setup up, bare bones as it is, keeps me adequately comfy. I have a name brand thermarest, but actually find the generic one I got to be a bit more comfortable. Ground tarp under the tent. For cooking, when setup along side the truck, will be a coleman propane 2 banger. Clothing will be synthetics and wool layers, depending on what the weather is doing.

Food and gear will be brought in rubbermaid-style totes, cooler and carried in my pack as needed; depending on the day.

I do plan to leave my truck on the edge of the public road to not disturb game deeper in the unit.

Last yr during my elk hunt, I was surprised to see how deep in the unit I was in some guys had their rigs setup. It was legal, but way in there. One area had a fair bit of ATV traffic. However, novice that I was/am, I tried to head away from the legal ATV trail a couple miles on foot. Sure enough, I heard machines on the trail. Shortly thereafter, some nice deer moved past below my glassing location. I lacked a deer tag, but the experience left me with a lesson.

Back near the road, the hunters on the ATVs asked if I saw any deer; said they had been hunting for over 5 days and seen nothing. I told them I had seen some, they looked at me like I was crazy. I'm not against ATVs, but like any tool, awareness of their noise and how animals react to them should be considered-just like camp location.

Regards,

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337Z using Tapatalk

 

[mallardsx2]

# 1 statement from people who hunt from a 4 wheeler or SxS.

"Oh it doesn't bother them, they are used to it"

If you haven't head someone say that then you haven't been out there much. lol

 

[jtm307]

Did an archery elk hunt last weekend with my RV trailer. We had kids and dogs, so the RV is essential to keep everyone happy. Next weekend I'm going elk/grouse hunting out of a tent solo. If I don't find a bull worthy of ending my season, I'll be headed to the same unit for a week in November with the RV. Camping comfortably makes a huge difference in my motivation level on the hunt. All other hunts this year will be day hunts.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I tent camped for years and then a cabover camper. I finally got a quad and decided there was a better way. I bought a 20' snowmobile trailer from a neighbor and converted it into a hunting/camping trailer. I added fold up bunks, insulation and a heater. I carry all my camping stuff in it and my utv (which I use to get to the area I want to hunt and then walk. It gives me a place to store all my hunting/camping stuff when I'm not using it.



I'm 77 now and have spent hundreds of night in a tent sleeping on a pad or air mattress....sorry, I like a little more comfort now!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

The downside is when you get caught in a snowstorm at night and your popup cover is blown away and everything is covered in snow..LOL!

 

[mcseal2]

This year it will be the Seek 8 man tipi and stove in a swamp in Alaska hunting moose. We leave for the airport Sunday. Temps are supposed to be mid 50's for highs and low 40's at night but wet. We used the tipi last year in Wyoming and had a 15" snow one night and 0 degrees a couple nights later. This will be a whole different type of test for it. The flight service rents camp gear with the hunt so we will use his kit other than our tent. Camptime chairs and cots, Coleman 2 burner stove, etc.

Last year before and after snow:

 

[goinhuntn]

We use a jumping jack trailer & 10 x 20 shelter with sides goes in front of that for all our cooking gear. The jumping jack is just like sleeping in a wall tent only it goes up & comes down much quicker.

i can't get the picture rotated sorry guys.

 

[LaHunter]

This year it will be the Seek 8 man tipi and stove in a swamp in Alaska hunting moose. We leave for the airport Sunday. Temps are supposed to be mid 50's for highs and low 40's at night but wet. We used the tipi last year in Wyoming and had a 15" snow one night and 0 degrees a couple nights later. This will be a whole different type of test for it. The flight service rents camp gear with the hunt so we will use his kit other than our tent. Camptime chairs and cots, Coleman 2 burner stove, etc.

Last year before and after snow:

Good luck and be safe. I know you guys will have a great time. Looking forward to the write up when you get back.

 

[mcseal2]

Thanks, I can't wait to be out there!

 

[RICMIC]

When out solo, I am perfectly happy in the back of my PU. I built the topper, and just store most of the hunting equip. in the back seat, and the coolers and tubs on one side of the box. An old mattress pad makes for a cushy sleep and it takes all of two minutes to pull up somewhere, crawl in back, and become comfortably supinated. It is not mosquito-proof though...a lesson learned the hard way. A wayside rest or Walmart lot en-route suits me fine, and once on site (if I'm truck camping), I'll string a tarp from the topper, set up a comfortable chair, and it's "game on." Mostly I still tent camp after backpacking in a ways, and totally change things when traveling with others.

 

[jackweathers223]

There are parts or rv awning accessories you can add to that trailer to cover the sides when it rains. Really a dependable accessory.

 

[taskswap]

Since we're reviving an old thread...

This year I'll be elk hunting with a group of 3 other guys. We're jointly packing in an 8-man tipi and stove (only going 2 miles in so we don't mind making 2 trips). These guys are younger and more energetic than me which means two things. First, we'll probably have way more gear than we need. Second, they'll probably forget a few important things so I'll make sure to have my own gear as well just in case. I may spike out from there in which case it's standard backpacking gear I'd bring anyway (River Country backpacking tent, sleeping pad/bag, etc.)

In a separate trip, a friend and I are doing a joint father/daughter trip for grouse. We'll do an overnight with our Jumping Jack and just hike in from wherever we park.

My wife and I are going deer hunting together for a 4-day weekend. Last year we stayed in Steamboat at an actual hotel and had a great time. There's hunting, and there's "hunting with an evening soak in a hot spring" and I say both are legit.

Finally, I'm looking to pick up a backup tag, maybe 4th season, really just to force myself to get out of the house. I'll probably sleep in the back of the truck for that. I built a set of storage boxes for my bed and I have a 3" folding mattress to top it with. It's a little weird getting in and out but it's plenty comfortable. The advantage of not having a trailer is I can get into tighter spots. The jumping jack is fine for off-road (if the truck can get there, so can the trailer) but in snow it's a lot of drag on the truck if you're getting through deep stuff. It's easier to poke around places if I don't have it with me.

Going to be a busy season!

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I will be doing all of it pretty much.

Truck camping our out of my side by side with very minimal gear while scouting. During the hunt we have a small wall tent we call base camp then we go out from there. Either back to base camp each night or if we find a deer we need to camp on we will load up the packs for a overnight stay to kill the buck then pack out the next day.