Camp On Your Back or Base Camp

[WapitiTalk1]

Do you normally hunt out of your pack (back county) or from a base camp? In either case, post up a pic of home sweet mountain home during your most recent elkhunt. RJ

[FemoralArchery]

This is our base camp for my 2 buddies drew cow tags this last year. I helped them both get their first elk. It was a fun 2 weekends.

[planebow]

We hunt from a base camp. Where we hunt I think you could only get about 3 miles from any road.

[flystrait]

We do both, we would rather be in the backcountry for a few days and then make it out to base camp for a SSS..

[cnelk]

My base camp

[RockChucker30]

First camp last year.

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[Indian Summer]

0ption 3: Backpacked base camp. This year I picked up a smaller wall tent. 10X12. I can backpack it as well as a smaller Cylinder Stove. It will take me & a partner an extra trip but I hunt for at least 2 full weeks so it's worth it. I'll have a back country base camp with heat shower bag and all. It'll take me that extra trip to get it all out too but since it could very well make the difference in staying warm and dry, getting my sleep, & killing a bull it's well worth it.

This year it's a bit too far for that plan so I'm hiring a packer just to get it all in & out along with dead bulls. It's a luxury vacation this year compared to the backpack camp last year. I could get the camp in & out easily enough but not with 8 quarters and two heads.

I have a lightweight setup with a Marmot tent etc but I have to have a good reason to use it. I'll work hard to get a solid camp in if I have to. Plan A is always a canvas wall tent, even on a backpack hunt.

This wall tent is a base camp at the trailhead... you can tell by the pole frame & the Camp Chef stainless oven.

[BrentLaBere]

Nothing special here....not too far off the main road in this pic . First hunt last year did a mix of both.

[Indian Summer]

I'd suggest always having a small cheapie tent and an decent extra sleeping bag in the truck anytime you are backcountry camping. When you pack an elk out you might not make it back into camp that same day.

[kevin_t]

I'd suggest always having a small cheapie tent and an decent extra sleeping bag in the truck anytime you are backcountry camping. When you pack an elk out you might not make it back into camp that same day.

That is solid advise, although the tent need not be cheap. I prefer backpacking in, sometimes I set up a pretty good backpack camp, sometimes just minimalistic, however I often at least have an extra tent at the truck, and sometimes a full nice base camp.

[dotman]

2012 Camp

[dotman]

[dotman]

2011 Camp

[>>>---WW---->]

I'm lucky enough to live close to my hunting area so I'm basically a day hunter. However, I always cary enough gear to spend not the most comfortable night in the timber if I have to.

A hot shower and a good nights rest in my own bed is always a plus after a hard days hunt.

[Indian Summer]

I'm lucky enough to live close to my hunting area so I'm basically a day hunter.

You guys hear that? Day hunter. When we talk about how far a guy should go to get into elk I always remind them: Guys who live in elk states are often no different than an eastern deer hunter. They have jobs, families, and limited vacation. So on Friday night, or Saturday morning they drive to their spot, park & hit it. Lots of times the are the ones killing elk too. Lots to be said for that. To a point part of the reason a hunter would pack in is simple: because he wants to. Which is good enough.

[Buglemaster]

We do both nearly every year. Just lock up the trailer & throw on the pre loaded pack.Here's base camp.If you ever see it, stop in.

[Buglemaster]

Here's the spike camp. Heck, stop in here also, just dont scratch on the side of the tent after dark....

[mtnmutt]

I have no idea how you all find that much level ground for a large base camp if you are in CO or similar state. I have steep terrain on either side of the FS road. I would have to camp closer to the US highway paved road to have level ground like that.

In the backcountry, it is hard to find an open level area in dense forest for my very small BA Fly Creek UL2 tent. Especially, when you want to avoid meadows or being near a meadow.

[>>>---WW---->]

The guy in the spike camp picture is Bunglemasters pack horse! Hi Shawn.

[Buglemaster]

He gets a little "crankie" when ya cinch up the pack straps..

[Ridgernr]

Here is one from 2010 when I took my son in law on a rifle elk hunt. We just parked at the trailhead nothing to set up or take down.

[JimKirk]

off the atv

[WapitiTalk1]

Here's my dwelling for the last part of SEPT last year.. Darn cozy if I might say. The socks you see draped on my boots, very effectively, kept predators away from the campsite at night ....

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[aron]

First camp last year.

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Hey Rockchucker, is that the Seek Outside BCS? If so, how do you like it?

[WindedBowhunter]

I haven't had the luxury of hunting from a base camp...yet! My next trip to MT, I will hunt from a base cape and bivy from there if needed.

[Lefty]

I camp right beside the road

[Lefty]

The new sigjn the milage was changes to exactly 1/2 of what it use to be

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[easeup]

here is a neither....it is base camp and pack in but not on my back after you see all of the stuff.
2011 was great a camp and slow hunt. 6 miles in; 7 horses, 3 guys. 10 days

[sreekers]

As long as I am physically capable, the camp will be off of my back. When my body can no longer do it, I will consider horses....

[elkmtngear]

I've done it both ways, and I've come to the conclusion I want to be closer to the elk...which where we hunt, means away from Road Access. I'm hoping I can hunt another 10 or 15 years this way.

[nshunter]

Base camp.....Alberta, Canada

Heaven for 2 weeks in Rocky Mtn foothills

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[RockChucker30]

First camp last year.

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Hey Rockchucker, is that the Seek Outside BCS? If so, how do you like it?

Yep, it's a BCS. I've had it over a year now, and like it pretty darn well. I'd rather have a 4 man tipi if I were always going with two guys, but for a solo/two man setup it's hard to beat because you can take the expander panel or not take it.

I will say that I'll probably be using the LBO instead this year.....

[WindedBowhunter]

As long as I am physically capable, the camp will be off of my back. When my body can no longer do it, I will consider horses....

sreekers, Well, said and I with your brother!

[Birks]

I'm a bit spoiled, i have Private land permission. as long as i don't disturb any crop or cattle. there is thousands of acres of land of private and public land where i hunt. I happened to Draw a cow elk tag this year. We usually camp in comfort because my Dad is petrified of bears. If it were up to just me i'd be in deep off the grid, but we've taken 4 bulls in the last 3 years, so why change it up?

[WapitiTalk1]

Looks a bit rough Birks

[mr_steve]

Inside of our base camp.

[mr_steve]

[Buglemaster]

Very nice Steve! Our trailer is "somewhat" less organized ....ok, it looks like a hurricane just blew thru with a ton of hunting stuff. We call it the White Hilton.

[Navesgane]

Purely back country backpacking. The gf stays with the dog.

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[Birks]

Looks a bit rough Birks

ya i don't know how i manage sometimes lol.

[Herb]

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Our base camp, a Kifaru 16 man Tipi with a MSR Outfitter Wing for the front porch.

[WindedBowhunter]

Purely back country backpacking. The gf stays with the dog.

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Nice!

[Madison COunty]

I really like looking at the different pictures of camp setups to get ideas. Does anyone have any new ones from this years hunt to add?

[Olydog09]

Pack in Hammock camp

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BASE CAMP

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[Madison COunty]

Purely back country backpacking. The gf stays with the dog.

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What kind of tent is that in your picture?

[Z Barebow]

I prefer to bring camp in on my back.

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But the lack of fresh elk sign and heavy snow had me retreat to sleeping in my crew cab pickup.

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I used to use a tarp system before I bough the BA Fly Creek.

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[Bowhunter]

I bet you were glad you was in the Big Agnes the night of the snow. The tarp setup might have been a bit wet and snowy.

[Z Barebow]

Bowhunter- You aren't just whistling Dixie! That pic of my BA is only after a couple of inches. 3 days later, I had around 12". I was smacking snow off of the tent during the night. If I would have had my tarp set up, I would have been smothered!

[Navesgane]

Purely back country backpacking. The gf stays with the dog.

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What kind of tent is that in your picture?

It's a northface tadpole