"Permanent Spike Camp" Setup?

[Vanish]

If you've read my recent post, you can see that we spiked camped a few miles in from where we car camped the opening weekend. Its no big deal for me to backpack in that far and spend the weekend, however my father has never been backpacking at all. He's also not in as good of shape as the rest of us, but he's no stranger to sleeping in a tent. I'd like to take a bigger tent up this Friday night and set it up for the group and leave it there for a couple of weeks, as we come and go. I anticipate making three trips to the site in the next two weeks starting this Friday.

Does anyone know the regulations on doing this? I thought I read in cnelk's post the maximum stay is 14 days (we'll be in Routt NF), but I couldn't verify that anywhere, only for campgrounds. Anyone have tips on doing this kind of thing? I remember reading another thread (may have been elsewhere) where someone was very upset when they found a tent set up (and left unattended) ahead of time where they wanted to be camping/hunting that weekend.

The only real trouble we had was water as the closest is a mile away, but if I knew that camp was going to be there I could prepare a much larger quantity ahead of time.

I'm sure I can figure out what I want to do, but any ideas will be helpful.

[mtnmutt]

While base camping opening week, I had a critter chew through my webbing that attached one corner of the rainfly to the tent body. It totally destroyed it, but I made repairs that held through the next set of storms. I was out for my morning hunt at the time that the critter did the damage. It was on day 7 that the rascal did it. Plus it chewed through a guyline which was easy to replace. In hindsight, I wish I had setup a trail cam at my base camp. I think the local squirrel was tired of my long stay.

Take extra repair items for the tent and wash your hands before you set it up. If you have salt on your hands, it may encourage critters to chew it. You could try Bill's chili powder idea around your tent site too.

Most NF allow 14 days, but I would not worry too much about the 14 day rule. I would be concerned with critters and people messing with your tent.

If water is one mile away, you aren't likely to have human neighbors.

[kevin_t]

Water being a long way away will keep most folks away and maybe it should keep you away as well. It gets to Be hard work carrying a lot of water everyday. I would not worry to much about 14 days but if concerned just take the gear down and stash it. I know of outfitter camps that have been stashed for years. I offered to clean it up but the outfitter still holds a permit so I would have to contact the outfitter that doesn't really outfit anymore. It's a shame but it is what it is

[Indian Summer]

Regs in the boonies are the same as in campgrounds.

If I know for sure I am in fact in the boonies to the point where nobody else is likely to hunt I don't worry about it. But I do camp in an inconspicuous spot with some cover as opposed to with a view. Just be sure to keep a really clean camp & be polite to anyone you cross paths with.

But it's a big assumption that nobody else will be around. I wouldn't do it in a place where I hadn't hunted before to see what to expect. You never know what others may think or how they'll react so if you want to play it safe I'd say take the tent down and tuck it away until you show up and use it. Out of sight out of mind.

Another idea is to use the 14 days and then the next time you go in maybe relocate the camp. You'd be completely legal then.

I can tell you this: If you want to get down to the nitty gritty, your 14 days doesn't begin until Forest Service personnel actually goes there. They'll put a tag on the tent with a date saying enjoy your stay and please remember the 14 day rule.