Let's See the Evolution of Your Hunting "Camps"

[hm1996]

Was looking for a certain picture this morning and got me to thinking back to how the meaning of the term "hunting camp" has changed over a lifetime. A few gaps in mine due to lack of pictures, but can't help but wonder if we're not getting a bit softer in our old age? Now let's see your definition of hunting camp.
Other than sleeping under the stars, this picture was my first very own hunting camp, circa 1960, a Higgins pop up in S TX brush country......

This was next camp between Big Bend NP & Black Gap Game Refuge in west TX, 1965

Next came the topper on '65 Chevy, consisting of a double bunk, ice chest, Coleman stove & lantern, unfortunately no pictures of the truck until the '69 Shasta was added to accommodate wife and son.

The grandkids came along w/the turn of the century which called for the 26' HiLo travel trailer (again, no pics).

Guess you could say I'm getting soft in my old age. When the HiLo became too difficult to cope with, had to give up the nomadic lifestyle, but the campfire still burns at night at current "hunting camp" and will always burn in my heart.

Now, how about sharing your "campsites", past & present?

 

[Hunter55]

I'll try to post a few, alot of great memories.

Pacific Creek South of Yellowstone area 71 if memory serves

Two elk down now the work starts.

Spike camp off Pacific Creek south of Yellowstone

elk camp Snowy Range Wyoming

elk camp again at Snowy Range Wyoming

Idaho wolf hunt

Beaver River Yukon on our way to Soldotna, AK. salmon fishing

Setting up base camp on Sheridan Pass Wyoming. Chained up on all 4's. Man we had a dry bed and a propane stove, hog heaven!.

 

[AWS]

That is pretty cool. I have pictures but no way to scan them to my computer.

 

[DAA]

Mine haven't evolved a whole lot. But some.

This is a mule deer bowhunt in the early '80s. Sleeping bags on the ground. Move them under the truck if it rained.

This is what big game, varmint, predator, just goofing off camps have pretty much looked like for the last 25 years.

Still skip the tent whenever I think the weather will allow. But don't sleep on the ground anymore. Cot is where it's at.

- DAA

 

[DAA]

That is pretty cool. I have pictures but no way to scan them to my computer.

Take a picture of the picture with your phone?

- DAA

 

[hm1996]

You do live in God's country, Dave. Great pics, as we have come to expect. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Hunter55]

That is pretty cool. I have pictures but no way to scan them to my computer.

have you tried using your phone and taking a pic? probably work

 

[Hunter55]

Mine haven't evolved a whole lot. But some.

This is a mule deer bowhunt in the early '80s. Sleeping bags on the ground. Move them under the truck if it rained.

This is what big game, varmint, predator, just goofing off camps have pretty much looked like for the last 25 years.

Still skip the tent whenever I think the weather will allow. But don't sleep on the ground anymore. Cot is where it's at.

- DAA

man I still love tent camping and an open fire. I also enjoy my air mattress on a cot!

 

[AWS]

Thanks for the tip of taking pics with phone.

Deer camp northern MN my ex and I spent a week here in sub zero temps early 1970s we were tougher 50 years ago.

Our trapping camps doubled as deer camps usually killing a deer while running a line

At one time I live in the wall tent for three years in northern WI.

Beaver camp in N MN we would spend weeks at these camps trapping the local Creeks and rivers in canoes or hiking in to remote areas.

MT pheasant camp

There have been a lot of camps over the years but was never much for taking pics. Canoeing to get in the back country where the hoards would drive the deer to on opening morning. Canoe in the night before and sleep under the canoe.

 

[hm1996]

At one time I live in the wall tent for three years in northern WI.

And I thought it was cold waking up every morning (for a week) in uninusulated pickup topper w/a bit of frost on the ceiling and an inch of ice on the stock tank we were parked beside. My gunsmith friend took his dog with him that trip. The first morning he said he was pretty comfortable "until that d*** dog started shivering." (The dog was curled up on the foot of his sleeping bag). Ya gotta understand, we're from S. TX.

 

[c_bass16]

mine has just basically been
1) Drive a couple miles out into the pasture
2) Set up camp
3) walk around till you find what youre after.

A few years later, I tested out just dragging a 7x12 enclosed utility trailer out there. Was much easier to set up and take down everything...but it was SUPER COLD that year and was tough to keep warm.

Started by this old wagon to get out of the wind

Got a bigger tent but needed a little better wind brake.
Set up down the hill about 75 feet to get out of the wind but it got COLD down there.

Moved camp into a cut a little higher from the bottom, but still low enough to avoid sky lining.

 

[DesertRam]

Mine haven't really changed all that much based on time, though the gear had gotten a little better. Camps change more based on destination and attendees.

When it's just me, or when I'm with my kids or Scouts, and we can drive to the location, it usually looks something like this.

Or this.

We also do backpacking to hunt and fish, so things are lighter and simpler.

When we are staying in one place longer, or the missus comes along, we step it up some.

 

[hm1996]

Oh, I plum forgot, did try tent camping with the wife & son one year way back when but gave that up as a bad idea.

 

[Polock]

You guy's all drive to your camping spot. Why don't you take an electric heater and small generator with you to keep warm?

 

[Murl B]

My idea of Camping is the BEST WESTERN. Murl B.

 

[crapshoot]

I went from a motel room to a 27ft travel trailer. On occasion I'll just sleep in the back of my truck while antelope hunting but I usually tag out the opening day so it's only 1 night.

 

[steve garrett]

Mine haven't evolved a whole lot. But some.

This is a mule deer bowhunt in the early '80s. Sleeping bags on the ground. Move them under the truck if it rained.

This is what big game, varmint, predator, just goofing off camps have pretty much looked like for the last 25 years.

Still skip the tent whenever I think the weather will allow. But don't sleep on the ground anymore. Cot is where it's at.

- DAA

I would want a fire large enough to burn those huge logs. maybe roast a rock chuck to see if its greasy or not

 

[DAA]

The logs ended up getting burned. And yes, rock chuck is kind of greasy . Better than sage grouse though.

- DAA

 

[Utahcaller]

For warmer hunts or short hunts I like my Canvas Cutter and a cot. But for cold hunts or extended hunting I’ll take our sheep camp anytime.

Good Hunting Chad

 

[popper43]

Almost finished. About 1/4 mi from pop-up blind.