Hunting camp

[steelslaver]

Set up on Wed the 20th 0f October. One brother showed that afternoon, and one buddy on Thursday. I stayed in a 26' bumper pull trailer I recently purchased. instead of my 2 tent setup. Buddy Mel brought a 22' Nice spot surrounded by about 30' rock ledges. Several whitetail does came around camp to check us out and continued to do so the whole time. Another friend Scott and his son showed on Friday as did old time hunting buddy Fred and his new young side kick. Saturday another brother showed up. Lots of firewood around, so big camp fire and deep meaningful discussions of life. Well, something was deep. LOL. Had a 14x16 tent with wood stove for quests. Although we could see hundreds of elk along the edge of the national forest, we never found any dumb enough to venture onto public land despite pressure from ranchers outfitter and clients. We did have a great time mostly traveling around in 4 wheelers as the average age of the group not counting Scott's son was 70+ and long walks afield are no longer "great fun". Plus, the idea of a dead elk a mile from any road in the rough terrain not all that appealing. We sure did enjoy ourselves though. There are shoulder seasons that last till almost March and one the elk start raiding haystacks some local rancher will call with word of elk steaks on the hoof. Area is open to either sex whitetail and buck mule deer and saw sever fail bucks but not the "Monster buck" I always save my A tag for. Nobody thought shooting the whitetail does that came and grazed near camp from time to time much of a sport so they were left to just visit..

 

[billwill]

Sure hope you packed your long johns on what sounds like a GREAT trip.

 

[steelslaver]

Cell phone pictures sorry for quality
about 4-500 head of elk hanging out about 1/2 mile from national forest boundary

A picture of visiting doe. taken from my chair by the fire

Fish and game guy we spoke to said that there were about 2500 head strung out along the forest in about a 12 mile line on 3 ranches just outside the forest. Very few hunters had gotten any yet. Elk know when season is and where they will get shot at. The odd one, mostly bulls, go on walk about from the herd though.

This year very mild weather so lots of hunters, plus the elk were all grazing on clear, south facing slopes enjoying the sun shine.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I always enjoy the pics of your camp set up. You definitely do it right . . .

 

[Rudi]

Brings back great memories.

 

[Mule Packer]

Nothing like elk camp! By the way, how do you like your new bumper pull? I've always used my 12'x14' wall tent with stove, but am looking very seriously at a 21' bumper pull. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but like you, will save the wall tent for the guests.

Our archery season this year was a little too warm. Didn't see much, but had a great time.

 

[steelslaver]

Actually I love my tent setup. Have a 14x16 and a 12x14 I setup one in front of other. But, it is either a big pickup load or a big utility trailer load. Takes a bunch of time to get setup and later taken down and loaded up. 2 man job. The trailer is a back up and hook up, fill water tank, load food and clothes and go. I have a batter powered impact gun to run the scissor type leveling jacks, so That does not take long. I am set up so I can empty holding tank into septic tank. Much more convenient. No tent setup, no cook stove setup, no propane lines to run to lanterns and stove, no kitchen boxes to set up. Set up stove and pipe and attach hot water tank, no cots to set up. My tent probably takes 2 guys 6-8 hours to load up and completely setup and then another 8 to tear down pack up, load, unload and put away. But with tents, I have 396 sq ft of space and a 8 ft covered "porch" with rain fly. With trailer about 218sq ft and an awning. Warm without stoking fire. Liking the camp trailer now that I am older.

 

[MRB1]

My favorite day of the year is the evening before the start of hunting season. Big campfire, a few drinks, and longtime friends/hunting buddies solving all the problems of the world, insulting each other, and crucifying all politicians - and all in bed by 9:00 PM.

 

[Nevada Ed]

I know that you are not suposed to feed the animals.............
but we always toss out some carrats and apples for the mollys, flat heads,
flop ears, Does......... what ever you call them, since they usually come
around the camp, over the years, as they know that we will not bother them.

At one of our fishing lakes, if we camp out, they will walk through camp at 8am,
even with the started fire in the pit, smoking away, that will get the coffe going.

Some small yearlings walk up to the dogs and stomp the ground, in play
and challenges....... all good clean fun for all.

Hope you find a Elk, this season.

 

[twodog max]

Great camps I bet a lot of fun was had.

Our gun deer season starts the 13th. We will gather at the primitive cabin on a buddies old family farm. We will kill some deer, have a few adult beverages, some good food and great companionship. I am sure looking forward to it.

 

[joe44va]

The last hunting camp I participated in the only things we killed were three handles of bourbon and one of Irish.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I wish I was Idaho back in the '50's in our hunting camp in a tent like yours. Many fond memories for sure. Many thanks.