Hunting Camp
- This topic has 12 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated Aug 6, 2011 at 4:36 am by
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Anybody here do any kind of backwoods hunting camp? I am really wanting to set one up this fall, probably out on the Cherokee National Forest, and I’m interested in experienced hunters’ tips on running a good camp.
I know a place or two where I would have drive-in access via dirt roads to lots of acres of riverbottom. My thinking is, I should head out on a Friday and set up a tent, bring firewood with me and then gather more, and probably put together some kind of meal plan–basic camping. But then you’ve got to factor in the deer cleaning aspects if you were to get one. I have a 100 gallon cooler that will hold a full deer, I am pretty certain. I’m thinking maybe set up some kind of pulley system and bring climbing rope to make a cleaning station? Maybe one of those collapsible tables to clean on? This is where I get vague.
In Arkansas we hang deer for at least 24 hours to let them set up before cleaning. It’d be nice to let one hang at least overnight so the fat will draw up and harden before butchering him. Of course in Georgia we have outside temperature issues, and I am not sure how wise it would be to hang a deer in bear country.
Get one of these to throw all your gear in. When you leave for camp….just hook up the trailer and go.
My hunting partner and I usually hunt in the Alberta Foothills for deer, moose and elk. Camp consists of an old canvas arctic tent, Coleman stove and lantern. We drive up logging roads till we find a spot wide enough to park two trucks and pitch up the tent. Approx 50 yards
Come on Zach, man up. If Rinella can have three drop locations of buffalo meat in Elias St. Wrangall for several days…certainly you can hang a deer from a tree overnight on the east coast… 😉 Just giving you a hard time.
The pepper makes the bears sneeze so they can’t sneak up on you in your tent. It’s important to make sure your hunting partner camps closest to the woods, and put a little pepper on him, too.
bd
If you want to cadillac camp….A wall tent & woodburning stove is a must…plus a chainsaw & an axe to split wood for the stove and cooking wood. Bring a couple lanterns and fuel for light at night. Big stock pot, big skillet, grill grate, dutch oven, propane stove, cooking and eating utensils. Add a couple lawn chairs, a table or two, and your set.
2nd Winter Float Trip-Upper Current River, MO-February 2005
That is bad ass. I have done something similar for a story which is still awaiting publication and it was a blast.
Zach
Zach, if the temps are cool enough, i would just field dress, and not worry about hanging the deer hang till you get home.
Zach: The pepper is to keep any insects away from the meat. While is quite cool at night where we hunt, the days can be warm enough to bring out flies etc. (Think Indian Summer) The pepper is just lightly dusted on the entire carcass in the same way as though you were putting it on your food. Basically just stand back and toss handfuls at the meat. When the critter is being butchered, the thin layer of dried surface tissue is removed along with the pepper. You won’t even know it was there when you cook your steaks.
In warmer weather we occassionally will also wrap a layer or so of gauze around the carcass to help keep the flies away.
Some of guys camp pretty high on the hog! Our camp is pretty low profile. Old green army tent, sits close to the ground. we often set up under a stand of fir or pines, no one can see the camp if the trucks are gone.
Back country camps are great, the set up can be as simple or difficult as you want. Meat care is very easy with a bit of prep and planning but nowhere near as challenging as you might think. If at all possible though, you really do want to leave the butchering till you are home.
JeffThe pepper makes the bears sneeze so they can’t sneak up on you in your tent. It’s important to make sure your hunting partner camps closest to the woods, and put a little pepper on him, too.
bd
Love it!
Seriously though, while black pepper isn’t the same as Pepper Spray, it isn’t advisable to spray your campsite with bear spray as a deterrent. There have been studies done in Alaska which indicated that this could actually attract bears (both blacks and griz) to camp. Not a good plan unless you are after some really close-up pics of bears trashing your gear!
The black pepper isn’t an issue thankfully.
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