Camping question

[joeybari]

I think this a stupid question but I need to ask

 

I have been hunting Coues for years with my dad. But this is the first year that my dad will not be coming with because of some health problems nothing bad just he can’t make it this year.

So for years we had always hunted in spots that we had scouted and I always made shore that the camp sight was close to the area that we were hunting (glassing) or driving distance as well as close to some sort of trail because by dad is old and I never wanted to go deep in the mountains with his health and legs. This has been this way for 8 years. In the past the old man had no problem hiking.

For 8 years the strategy was not bad. We would glass find a buck and if he was in shooting distance take the shot if he was past 400 yards I would close the distance and the old man would watch. Always did well but never a monster buck but decent ones. I AM not complaining believe me when I say I wish he was coming with.

 

I would like to get my camping gear, food, water, EQ and hike deep in the mountains and stay there away from the roads and trails.

 

I am thinking about doing this is bcs I want to get a trophy buck as oppose to meat hunting and getting decent bucks nothing wrong with it I just have the opportunity to do something different and go for the big one. I did some scouting this years in my unit and I did see some 60 to 80 class bucks so I do have that option I hope (I think) to get a buck. But I feel (not for sure) there may be bigger bucks deep in the mountains.

 

My hunt this year is the late Nov hunt

 

My question is how may of you take your camping gear and camp out in the far mountains of the southern units I mean deep in there? (My cousin is coming with) Is it safe? Or does it even make a difference?

 

 

[TAM]

I did a high country mule deer last year in Nevada. We hiked in several miles and spike camped at over 10,000 foot elevation. When we got there there was 8-10 inches of snow on the ground. I had to work hard on that hunt and even found some good bucks. I didn't kill the biggest buck that we saw, but I did get a nice one that most other hunters would have never seen because they were hunting off the roads at the bottom of the mountain. Now every time I look at that bucks antlers on my wall I get to remember my burning legs, my gasping lungs, the mountain house meals, the cold nights, the incredible views, and my heavy pack. Yep, lots of memories that I will never forget.

 

[Red Rabbit]

Load up the backpack and go. You may wish to stash some water at the intended camp during a scouting trip.

[detox]

Load up the backpack and go. You may wish to stash some water at the intended camp during a scouting trip.

Great idea!

 

detox

[Guest borderboy]

I started hunting 30+ yrs ago. But as many as 15yrs ago I started staying out. I liike to get up high and just loiter at the top. Of course it is no guarantee that I will score. But it has other rewards. The view from the top, especially in the early morning, is incredible. The stars at night also. I take "easy" food. MREs are great if you can find them. Dried food is also good to take. I always have a water filter but I take water with me. I "get juicy" days and days before though. When dehydration hits it's serious. Even though I only stay out a few days at a time, I cannot over prepare. I know my area as I pretty much hunt the same areas year after year. Nav equipment is good to have if I have to move at night. Things change in the night, as well as a good light. I prefer the led type. A good "head light" is handy and will free up my hands but I have a back up and extra batteries. I guess it depends on what kind of backcountry hunt you want to do. But always check and pay attention to weather and let someone know where you will be and when you will return. I've learned many lessons the hard way. Just don't take chances that you don't have to. Be cool, be SAFE and good luck.

[krp]

Absolutely, some of us here do this every year. Logistics is the key and serious planning. It's getting kinda late but you will have time to plan if you work at it.

 

Knowing the country firsthand is important, best routes in, the three most important things are water, water, water. Where is it, how many soures do you know for sure about, purification system, carrying/storing system. Is this a unit that has alot of Illegal traffic and is this area used much, what's the odds of being found.

 

Equipment is important but I wouldn't let not having the best stop me. You need good Backpacking boots, backpack, shelter, sleep system. Everything else can be stuff that you will upgrade later.

 

Since I broke my leg in a freak accident helping on an elk hunt last month, I will have to get SPOT if I want to go solo again, my wife's orders, she may not let me anyway. You do not want to be in the backcountry with something wrong with a lower extemity, believe me, it's no fun getting out.

 

I have equipment you may borrow if you decide to do this and I can help with planning.

 

It's exteemly rewarding, something everyone should do once.

 

Kent

[joeybari]

Krp thank you for the info I am seriously thinking about it I think I going to do it this year. Like you said It should be something that every hunter should do. It has been in the back of my mind for years. As far as water I think I will take someone’s advice and hike some water up there next week as well as some other provisions that may be easy to hide and inexpensive to leave. I have just about every thing I need like you said water was my main concern. There are some water spots that I know of just in case. Food should be easy, as well as a tent. As far as illegal’s there is really is no traffic in the unit were I hunt in 35 B and I am very familiar with the unit been there may times as well as scouted my times. Thank you for the info. May I PM if there is any questions I may have

 

Thank you

Joe

 

[krp]

Joe, go for it.

 

If I know the area I will cache water during scouting trips. I usually camp within 1/2 mile of a source so it is handy for personal use. I bring in a collapsible 5 gal container you get at Walmart or SW for a few bucks and a filter pump. While scouting I fill up the container and hang it in a tree where I'm camping, I usually pick a spot that is thick and off the main paths. I will also take in a few items and put them in a waterproof kayak bag and tie it up in the tree. Extra cheap poly tarps, rope, an old sleeping bag, cheap tent, canned food is a treat sometimes, stew, beans , fruit, even spam, pans, cheap stove, lantern, propane. Stuff I wouldn't haul on an in and out trip. Things that I can use during scouting if I want to run in for a quick evening and next morning trip or emergency. If my wife didn't come on some of the trips I wouldn't bother with most that stuff, but you get the idea of what you can do. Figure a gal min for each person per day, will need to resupply every couple days for two people.

 

Here's my cashed camp I had some years ago.

 

 

My wife and daughter like to come sometimes if I make it a little comfortable.

 

 

Here's my run and gun camp, 46 lbs with all the optics, gun and 2 liters of water.

 

 

As you can tell I'm addicted, I scout areas I will probably never hunt just to get out. If I can help you in any way let me know. 35B is a great unit to get back in and hunt.

 

Kent

 

 

 

 

 

 

[joeybari]

I will let you know how is goes this week. Your set up is basically what I have minis the tent I have the cot with the small tent over it. As far as food I think oatmeal , beans, cereal and some elk jerky is the way to go.

Thank you

 

[krp]

Food, calories are king. Your body will crave certain things with all the exertion put out, take extra and a good variety.

 

I'm not an oatmeal eater and it's a big plus that you are. I get the nature valley sweet and salty cereal bars, thay double as a sweet also.

 

Get the small summer sausage, once you cut them open you need to eat them or they will go bad in 4 or 5 hours if it is warm, they will stay fine until cut even warm. Jerky is good and I either/or for lunch, it's hard to eat the same thing every day for 4 days. In cool weather I will also take cheese sticks for the sausage but not in warm. Top ramen adds alot to any lunch.

 

Crackers, Oreo cookies, hard candy, mixed nuts. Repackaged in ziplocks for individual potions.

 

Mt house meals aren't fantasic but eatable for dinner and a hot meal before bed will keep your spirits up. I add a fruit cup and hard roll. If I'm hunting out of a base camp and not moving, sometimes I will bring canned stew, beans, tamales for the main course, and peanutbutter and hard rolls for lunch. It's more weight and bulk on the trip in but will get eaten and I only have to carry it once. Depends on the trip.

 

Don't lock yourself in to only 4 or 5 foods for an extended trip. I can go on just jerky, trailmix, cereal bars and water, but it seems I'm fighting cravings and lose concetration after a little while. Short scouting trips that's about all I take.

 

Powdered drink mix and coffee bags if you want.

 

Kent

 

 

 

 

[joeybari]

Your not kidding about the coffee almost forgot to put it on my list .laughing at my self because I have tons of baby food that my son does not like and looking at the back of the label there is a lot of nutrition in it LOL. Don’t know if I could do it. Ill tell you what my wife would get a kick out of that.

[EdD270]

Sounds like the makin's of a great trip. Good advice here. I'd get a 5-gal. plastic water jug and carry it in empty, then fill is with a water filter/pump at a stock pond or creek near your camp.

As for gear, REI and some other outdoor stores rent equipment so you can try different stuff and find out what you like before buying it. This is great for expensive items like tent, sleeping bag, backpack, etc. as well as smaller items like water filter, stove, etc.

Be sure to take a camera, and post photos when you get back for us to share in.

[joeybari]

Will do on the PICs that will be a must

I have most of the stuff that i need.

But taking a trip to REI is not a bad idea I am sure there is something there I will not need but buy anyway always happens that way.