Quick question

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

When you guys go on out of state hunt do you camp or hotel? I know alot do both but looking at the benefits of each.  Cost seems high for hotel but more convenient.  Just trying to outway the cost/hassle

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[WapitiTalk1]

I camp 95+% of the time but have done the motel thing once or twice for shorter hunts.  I feel you can set up a camp that is very self contained, stay tuned into the hunt more by being in the woods, and, I also feel you waste less drive time by being up in the sticks vs. down in town.  There is one more option aside from straight camping, or, straight motel staying.  Many of the mountain states allow you to rent lookouts (even historic cabins) at a very minimal cost... I've done this a few times.  You're up in the sticks, and, have four walls, bunks, wood stove, and oftentimes an outhouse .  The trick is to determine when the states open up their booking window for the season (its pretty early in the year) and get right on it to lock in your dates as the lookouts/cabins book up pretty solid early on.     

[Stein]

Entire family almost always is in hotels.

Just me is always truck camping.

[Bill W]

Most of mine were either in a tent or a camper shell near the hunting area.  One time we "camped" in a motel and ate at local eateries.  Problem with that was it was an hour away from the hunting area.  Good thing was soft beds, hot showers and no dishes to wash.

My preference is for camping near the hunting area and getting to listen to coyotes nightly.

[Jburke]

We've almost always camped out, with the exception of a short trip or two when we were younger. I've slept in trucks, various tents,enclosed cargo trailer with cots and propane heater, and various campers.  We use a travel trailer now and it works for us.
Like has been said already, the benefit of hotels is the level of comfort, but the travel time to a hunting area can offset that benefit for some.  That's the nice thing about a camper if you have access to one, it's kind of the best of both worlds.

[GUscottie]

I have done "both". I prefer camping since you get to be closer to hunting. Downside is you have to clean up and all that jazz. But it's all preference. I prefer being in the mtns, away from town and where i can start hunting as soon as I'm outta the tent. Bed isn't as nice, and sleeping isn't as good, but I'm not out there to get a great night's sleep... I just don't like spending a bunch of money on a motel when I can use a camper/tent for a lot less. The cost/benefits for me lean towards camping vs motel.

[RadSav]

For me it depends on the extent of animal care.  Pretty hard to make proper arrangements for elk hunting out of a hotel unless you have already arranged a butcher and taxidermist in that location.  Javelina and upland bird hunting almost always out of a hotel as they are easily taken care of in the field and properly cooled in a quality cooler.

[huntnnw]

most all of my outta state hunts are too far to drive back and forth to a motel. If Im gone for extended period of time ill get a room  every 4th or 5th day to shower and wash clothes

[Branden]

I always camp. It's less money, and more time to sleep instead of driving back and forth.

[follow maggie]

I always camp. Even with the extra gas, it's cheaper than a motel, and can be the difference in going, or not. Plus, staying in a motel in town, you have to get up a lot earlier, and when I camp, a hot dinner is coming out of the oven 20 minutes after going eating back to camp.

[sumpnz]

It's not out of state, but where we elk hunt we stay at a cabin at a KOA.  Split 3 ways it's cheaper than the camping spot if solo.  Legal spots to just camp are hard to find out there outside of organized campgrounds.  And it's nice to have a place to dry off.

[Tbob]

I do a little of both depending on the trip and time of year.. If I'm solo, I almost always just camp out somewhere.. My brother likes to go on late season elk hunts with me and if he goes we usually split the cost of a crappy motel close by. It sure is nice getting warm and dry after being wet and cold all day.. Our Motel is only about 25 min to our hunt area..
   I'm actually headed out for a solo mule deer hunt in 10 days. Temps supposed to dip into the low 20's.. Gonna be a chilly tent!

[Bean Counter]

When we go to Wyoming we stay in a motel. Camping is cheaper, but to my calculations, the benefits end there.

Benefits of motel:

• Don't have to pack sleeping bags, stoves, tents, etc so have more room for a coolers for all those does we're going to kill 
• Free hot breakfast 
• Free ice machine to fill the cooler 
• Hot shower and warm bed after a long day of hunting. Sure beats just a
• Having a--wait for it--"safe space" to store gear that doesn't have to be packed up every morning before going afield. Color me paranoid but I can't just get up out of my tent, grab my rifle, and go hunt. I like knowing my gear is somewhat secured. For our motel proximity to our free private land access we get hunting earlier in the day by staying in a motel. #YMMV.