Visible Camp

[MT Muley]

Ok guys,
So I am planning on doing my first back pack hunt this weekend close to home for my special draw mule deer tag. I have read that most people hunting high country mule deer will not ever have a fire in camp to try and limit the deers knowledge of them being in the area. I am curious as to what you guys do to dry out hunting clothing, as it looks like it easily rain/snow up there this weekend. Is it best to make a fire if you need to dry clothes?

Thanks
Mitch

 

[Bitterroot Bulls]

You will need heat or sun to dry out anything. I prefer not to have a fire, but I will make one when I need it. Wet clothes can be dangerous in the high country.

 

[jjenness]

If you are only going in for the weekend, I would suggest taking an extra set of clothes with you. The extra weight will be worth it when the sun goes down and you are cold. I would also take a Jetboil with you so that you are able to have something warm to eat and drink. With the way the weather is today, you are bound to have some wet clothes. Like Bitterroot said, make a fire if you need it. Don't forget to your Wetfire, fire starter, or cottonballs soaked in petroleum jelly. Good luck.

 

[henkesean]

Agreed. If for any reason your clothes get wet while in the high country on an overnight hunt and theres no sun out. Youll need to build a fire to dry the wet clothes or you may end up getting froze out and completely having to leave your hunting area.

 

[JNDEER]

I have not had the issue, but I have read that guys going into the high country knowing they will get wet will actually change their camp spot to an area where they can build a fire and keep it out of vision from the area they are hunting. It may mean for a longer morning hike, but food for thought.

 

[llp]

You should not be wearing clothing that gets so wet it compromises the insulation value. Sure, everything will get a bit damp, but keep your base layer dry and it isn't a problem. You can dry most polypro or other base layers by putting them into your sleeping bag at night. The natural wicking motion will dry the garmet, which you can wear again comfortably the next day. I know it is counter-intuitive, but it works.
Now if you fall in the river, or are dumb enough to wear all cotton in a rain storm, there isn't much alternative to a big fire. But the fire will compromise your hunting...
llp

 

[Jerry]

I have been on Mt Goat hunts where we have taken a goat within 400 yds of our base camp. All of the deer and elk camps I've been on have had fires nightly. Most of these have been highly successful. Of course these were camps with horses and we generally hunted a mile or more away from camp. On spike camps we tend to be more careful with everything, including fire. But I would rather build a fire and chance losing a hunting opportunity than not build one and be wet and miserable, or something more serious!

 

[tim]

using your sleeping bag to dry clothes while you sleep, works really well. if using a bivy sack, take the sleeping bag out of the bivy sack during the day, so the sleeping bag can dry out. also where the right clothes and you will be warm and wet.