Food for Drop Camp

[matt345]

A group of us are doing a drop camp this year and I am looking for ideas as it relates to food. I have Backcountry Hunted but this is my first Drop Camp, usually I am backpacking so this will be the first time for many of us to have the ability to ride into camp and to have some one carrying our gear. I am curious what people like to bring for food that is convenient and what they feel are the essentials for a drop camp. The Outfitter is just in charge of the tent, we are responsible for the rest! Our group is likely 6 guys and 4 kids.

[bobcat]

When I did a drop camp, for food we pretty much stuck with the same food you would use when backpacking. We had a weight limit per person, so I thought it was more important to bring extras such as extra boots, extra clothes, two sleeping bags, a cot, etc. I also wanted the simplicity of backpacking type foods (Mountain House, instant oatmeal, trail mix, etc). I was there to hunt, not cook and do dishes.

[matt345]

Thanks Bobcat,

I assumed that would be the case. Our situation is different because two of the guys are older and won't hunt far from camp and will cook for the group, etc! But the same fact remains that we can only bring so much stuff in with the weight restriction. As well as the lack of ability to keep stuff cold. We will likely do your typical backpacker foods, and maybe a steak dinner or two. If we are successful, maybe a TENDERLOIN meal. 

Did you use a particular cot that was extremely packable??

[JLS]

Roll A Cots are very packable.  I've packed surplus GI cots and they work well too, although they are a little bulkier and heavier than some options.

For food, you can pack frozen food by freezing it very hard before you leave.  Pack it tight in a cardboard box and fill all of the gaps with crumpled newspaper.  You can also get the little soft coolers and pack meat in there with dry ice.

Your biggest limitation will be cooking equipment.  When I used to horsepack I would take a Coleman white gas stove and a couple of frying pans and a pots.  We did simple stuff that we could cook on the gas stove, such as spaghetti, sweet and sour pork, stew, etc.  We also fried some cheeseburgers and did stuff like french dips.  Breakfasts were usually pretty hearty and involved a lot of eggs and freeze dried hash browns. 

I would suggest you talk to the outfitter and find out what your weight restrictions and size restrictions are.  My buddy and I would go in for one week.  Two horses were pretty much dedicated to our camp (wall tent, cots, stove, chairs), a third carried all of our clothes and gear, the fourth our food, and the rest would carry horse feed.

You could do easy stuff like Hamburger Helper, and other types of pasta meals that are easy to cook.  A Colemen propane stove should be pretty easy to take along.

[dreamingbig]

Unless you want to spend more time camping and less time hunting than I would keep the food fairly simple. I have zero time in the day to spend a hour or two cooking and then doing dishes.  My  .

By simple, I mean mountain houses or similar for dinner and lunches for each day prepared of time in individual zip lock bags.

[sirmissalot]

I'd take advantage of the packers mules and eat well. Steak and potatoes one or two nights, and pre cooked and frozen foods the rest. We have one mule dedicated to food, two 65 quart yetis keep food easily for a week. It sure helps boost moral when you have good food in camp. Chili and cornbread, spaghetti, lasagna, chicken fried steak with gravy, stew; just a few things that freeze well and fill hungry bellies. The last thing I'd do is rely on freeze dried meals on a hunt like this, even of you gotta pay a little extra for another mule.

[matt345]

Thanks guys for the feedback its helpful!

[Smossy]

Whats a drop camp?

[kentrek]

Whats a drop camp?

basically having a dude pack you and your gear into the hills with hoarses and drop you off..he then comes back and picks you up after a week or so

[Smossy]

Whats a drop camp?

basically having a dude pack you and your gear into the hills with hoarses and drop you off..he then comes back and picks you up after a week or so

Ohhh, Gotcha! Thanks Sounds interesting. Im still young though, I can haul my own crap.. Maybe

[MtnMuley]

I'd take advantage of the packers mules and eat well. Steak and potatoes one or two nights, and pre cooked and frozen foods the rest. We have one mule dedicated to food, two 65 quart yetis keep food easily for a week. It sure helps boost moral when you have good food in camp. Chili and cornbread, spaghetti, lasagna, chicken fried steak with gravy, stew; just a few things that freeze well and fill hungry bellies. The last thing I'd do is rely on freeze dried meals on a hunt like this, even of you gotta pay a little extra for another mule.

Good advice there.

[kentrek]

we do a drop style camp every year and if you can def get away from mtn house,esp if ya have some one that doesnt mind cooking while others are out hunting...nothing better than coming back into camp only to see you ol man pulling fresh ribs off the grill...i swear you can smell a good dutch oven meal at least a mile from camp 


a favorite quote from my dad is "you need a guy to kill elk and a guy to take care of camp...thats what makes elk camp"

[kentrek]

Whats a drop camp?

basically having a dude pack you and your gear into the hills with hoarses and drop you off..he then comes back and picks you up after a week or so

Ohhh, Gotcha! Thanks Sounds interesting. Im still young though, I can haul my own crap.. Maybe

its just two different styles of hunting and two different experiences...im finding the drop camp to be better since i get to hang with my older family more, which is priceless

[Smossy]

Whats a drop camp?

basically having a dude pack you and your gear into the hills with hoarses and drop you off..he then comes back and picks you up after a week or so

Ohhh, Gotcha! Thanks Sounds interesting. Im still young though, I can haul my own crap.. Maybe

its just two different styles of hunting and two different experiences...im finding the drop camp to be better since i get to hang with my older family more, which is priceless

I dont know a single soul that hunts

[kentrek]

i am very luck to have grown up in the family i have, but it sounds like you have at least made some partners on here...a good hunting partner is nearly as good as family