Camp traditions

[Viamoutdoors]

So I was talking with my hunting partners and we started talking about things we always bring or do before during and after our trips, so it got me thinking about what you guys do, let's hear some things you have to do, bring or have during a hunting trip or it breaks tradition....

Ours is candy, not just any candy, but gummies. I ALWAYS make sure to have a package or haribo gummy cola bottles and a package of sour patch kids, my partners opt for the gummy bear route without fail even if we don't discuss it before the hike in.

[saddlesore]

Big bag of unshelled peanuts

[WapitiTalk1]

Maybe a spot of fine sipping bourbon

[Swede]

I come three to four days before any other hunter shows up to set up camp and place tree stands where they show the most promise. I review all of the trail camera pictures and call back to the ones that will be coming. My brother who is no hunter comes at first to keep me company. I hide the cookies and candy from him, and eat them on the sly because he has diabetes and does not need the temptation. If you come to camp, just remember the goodies are hid out behind the sofa.

[husky390]

Scotch. Lots of it.

[Bullseye]

Bird Dog Apple-flavored Bourbon. We all have a shot (or two) when someone is successful!

[Elkduds]

My camp toast for success is Reed's Ginger Beer. Also I always take the Coleman gas 2 mantle lantern, even w simpler options available. Enjoy the smell, pumping it, and the heat.

[wunder6]

Homemade whiskey and brandy.

[Viamoutdoors]

Great traditions!!! Keep them coming, I feel like tradition is such a huge part of making a trip a success, whether am animal is taken or not. It's something that grounds us and gives us a guaranteed thing to look forward to!

[Swede]

Some of the jerks I hunt with try to play some practical joke on me when I an away or asleep. They will make it look like they shot an arrow into my radiator, or I get boots with cones or something in them. Don't worry though. I don't get mad as they say. I get even.

[Fridaythe13th]

Sorry it took me so long to reply: We have the CHOKE AWARD.
It started on the 1st elk trip to Colorado 1 of the members screamed out on the radio whoever misses a big bull has to drink this nasty skunked gluek's beer he brought with, he had 5 can left over and it was rolling around in the back of his truck for a while. We all agreed because what the chance of seeing a bull on our 1st ever trip elk hunting. I mean we were just hoping to see a elk, right.
On day 2 my brother had a cow run by him and made a good shot for our first ever elk we were happy to get an elk. His tag was full so he joined up with the person who make the choke rule and a couple day later while walking through this dark timber they pooped out of a gully and had Bullwinkle laying down in a wedge of tree's. He did what an person would do, duck down so the bull did not see him and motion to my brother and tell him there is a big bull laying down 50 yard way. My brother stuck his head up and sure enough there is a bull. They both look at each other and came up with, shot him right between the eyes because that all they could see was the eyeballs and up. He stood up, aimed, brought his gun down because he couldn't find him in the scope because he was so close. Found him again raise the gun and fired, the bull got up so fast he got 1 more shot off. My guess is his first shot was right between the uprights better than the Vikings in a playoff game. The 2nd hit a tree.
He held this coveted award for 9 years and then we started bow hunting. Boy it has change hands in the last 3 years and currently in the hand of my brother.
The award has change to a medal that goes around your neck, because we don't have any beer rolling around in the back of are trucks.

[Lefty]

We had deer camp in Northern Minnesota. Our mom would drive up for
Thanksgiving Day for a meal of , potato dumplings, sauerkraut with pork sausage, hopefully liver and onions or fried heart

[Deafirishman]

I must add to the story that Friday wrote. I will honestly say that the person who held on to this choke award for almost 10 years was me. It was an honor to carry that for that long. Lol. But it's all in good fun. I only jinxed myself when I told everyone that whoever chokes has to drink some pretty crappy tasting beer. It's probably the worst I've ever had...Gluek dark lager. Gross !! I was with Friday's brother when this historic day went down. I remember the day as if it happened yesterday. It's forever stuck in my memory but I learned a lot from this encounter. I remember it being a cloudy and misty day back in 2004 2nd rifle season. It all started around 1pm that afternoon. His brother and I were just hiking along a ridge until we came into the dark timber. As we turned the corner I happened to see the most massive set of horns I've ever seen right up ahead around 50 yard or so. Had to be the biggest bull cuz it's my first time elk hunting, right ? After I saw the bull, I grabbed his brother and pulled in down behind a log. I mouthed to him that there was a bull straight ahead of us. He didn't believe me at first but after he peeked over the log, he duck backed down with this big look on his face "Holy s(*t". The bull was behind some heavy brush. As I kneeled up bringing my .30.06 to my shoulder, I looked into my scope but could not pick him up so I ducked back down. Looked back over the log and he's still there. Must be too damn close I thought. Lol. Kneeled back up and found him in my scope and put the cross hairs on his head and fired. The bull stood up so fast (we both thought he was standing there but was laying down), he turned broadside and took off like a bat out of hell. I was able to get one more shot off but hit a tree as he ran by. And just like that he was gone in a split second. I sat there dejected. Couldn't believe that I missed an opportunity of a lifetime at a close range. My heart sunk but was grateful for the opportunity. It was the first bull we ever seen that season.
I proudly carried that choke award for those years knowing that some day I would be able to pass it on to one of the other guys. It took a while but I was able to pass it on. It's a tradition we will always keep doing. It's not meant to make a person feel bad but to just remind ourselves that we are human and are going to miss from time to time. It's all part of the experience. After that experience, I've learned to be more patient and selective in my shot placement. It wasn't the smartest shot placement and I will admit to that. Not very smart on my part. I am expecting over the years, I will get that award back It's all part of the journey....

[Da White Shoe]

On the way up to our annual elk hunt, we always stop at the same little place to eat Mexican. Best I've had, at that restaurant.
Once up in camp, we spend one night in base camp watching Tombstone and drinking ice-cold Widmere Hefewiesen.
In spike camp, when someone scores... or, we realize that none of us are going to, .... we break out the Jameson.
There's been a few hung over, sad-sack rides out of there on horseback.

[WapitiTalk1]

On the way up to our annual elk hunt, we always stop at the same little place to eat Mexican. Best I've had, at that restaurant.
Once up in camp, we spend one night in base camp watching Tombstone and drinking ice-cold Widmere Hefewiesen.
In spike camp, when someone scores... or, we realize that none of us are going to, .... we break out the Jameson.
There's been a few hung over, sad-sack rides out of there on horseback.

Jamesons? Always figured you to be a bourbon guy

[Da White Shoe]

On the way up to our annual elk hunt, we always stop at the same little place to eat Mexican. Best I've had, at that restaurant.
Once up in camp, we spend one night in base camp watching Tombstone and drinking ice-cold Widmere Hefewiesen.
In spike camp, when someone scores... or, we realize that none of us are going to, .... we break out the Jameson.
There's been a few hung over, sad-sack rides out of there on horseback.

Jamesons? Always figured you to be a bourbon guy

The big Irish J is my brothers favorite. Me? I'm easy.... ; )

[Indian Summer]

Bird Dog Apple-flavored Bourbon. We all have a shot (or two) when someone is successful!

Um... need more info. I like apple Crown but I'm a bourbon drinker. I prefer Jim Beam. They have and apple but I can't find it anywhere. Apple bourbon should be in the gear list section as a must have!

Not always but sometimes I keep one of those small airplane sized bottles of Jagermeister in my pack which I break out before pictures and quartering.

I always have an iPod in camp with the little external speakers. We don't get drunk in camp but a Beam and Coke or Tang or 2 helps you wind down and get to sleep quicker. But then again there's always that one night when the elkduds hit the fan and I sleep in a bit the next morning.

[Deafirishman]

The Captain is usually always calling our names at the end of the day around the campfire. Helps me sleep at night too

[Da White Shoe]

Rum'll kill ya...