Dummy camps in the Colockum

[CGDucksandDeer]

I feel like the USFS limit of 14 days for dispersed camping is an appropriate threshold. Leaving a dummy camp up for longer than that, or losing your cool over sharing public land, is not.

If someone wants to go in the weekend before, scout a bit, and leave their camp up, I've got no problem with that. Some of us wetsiders don't like burning vacation days that could be used for hunting by coming over days before season, so it feels like a reasonable approach.

I've been that guy trying to find a new spot, staking it out and making it work while showing respect to guys who've clearly been hunting the area for years. Just takes some civil communication about hunting plans, and maybe a few gifted beers.

I've also been that party that's been using an annual elk camp for 30+ years. We get in early, stake it out, and if someone sets up next door, that's just how it goes on public land and we treat em respectfully (though I personally can't stand generators, barking dogs or target shooting during season!!).

[ryan13]

the colockums a joke. we had set up camp 3 or so years ago for modern and had a truck and trailer pull up to us and ask us to move because they had camped in the same spot for years blah blah blah. needless to say we didn't move and woke up the next morning completely circled in by 8+ fith wheels. people suck.

[slowhand]

I have always just thought of it as first come first serve. 
It belongs to all of us. 
If You want it that bad get there first. If someone wants You to move, that's just to bad friend.
First come first serve.
I have never done the dummy camp thing Myself but My grandpa and uncles did it up in the colockum for Years.
Once they went to the true spike rule they hunted for a couple years and gave it up unless they pull a golden ticket (any Bull tag).

[ctwiggs1]

I used to laugh when I would see those tents and instantly think "dummy camp". 

Then I would happen to see someone there on my way out actually camping.

Sometimes people can only afford a $40 tent.

[Sandberm]

Just in case any of you guys fishing just above Ringold on the Columbia for salmon are curious, I didnt fall overboard. I'm ok, dont call the sheriff.

I left a Dummy Boat anchored in my favorite fishing hole for the next few weeks. You see, my friends and family have been fishing this spot every fall for 30+ years and we would appreciate it if you stayed away from "our" spot and didnt crowd us.

First come first serve right? 

[Rainier10]

I used to laugh when I would see those tents and instantly think "dummy camp". 

Then I would happen to see someone there on my way out actually camping.

Sometimes people can only afford a $40 tent.

I have seen guys at Swakane in nylon dome tents at the end of November when it is 4 degrees at night.

[slowhand]

Just in case any of you guys fishing just above Ringold on the Columbia for salmon are curious, I didnt fall overboard. I'm ok, dont call the sheriff.

I left a Dummy Boat anchored in my favorite fishing hole for the next few weeks. You see, my friends and family have been fishing this spot every fall for 30+ years and we would appreciate it if you stayed away from "our" spot and didnt crowd us.

First come first serve right? 

fishing is a different story. 90% of the fish are found in 10% of the water. If You like to catch fish You better get comfortable with combat fishing. There's a reason the people are fishing shoulder to shoulder. same thing with boats in the water. If You have ever fished lake Washington on the rare occasion when the sockeye are legal to catch. Boats on top of boats. All the public land belongs to all of the public. that includes You and me.

[The Marquis]

I used to laugh when I would see those tents and instantly think "dummy camp". 

Then I would happen to see someone there on my way out actually camping.

Sometimes people can only afford a $40 tent.

I have seen guys at Swakane in nylon dome tents at the end of November when it is 4 degrees at night.

Don't judge. (I know you're not, but you're describing my camping set up)

[Rainier10]

I used to laugh when I would see those tents and instantly think "dummy camp". 

Then I would happen to see someone there on my way out actually camping.

Sometimes people can only afford a $40 tent.

I have seen guys at Swakane in nylon dome tents at the end of November when it is 4 degrees at night.

Don't judge. (I know you're not, but you're describing my camping set up)

You're right, I wasn't judging.  People do it.  What some might think is a dummy camp holding a spot for a larger setup sometimes is just what it is, a small dome tent that a guy is camping out of.  One should never assume.  As they say it makes an ass/u/me.

[Woodchuck]

Hey, I camp where I want to, and don't call me dummy! 

[full choke]

Just in case any of you guys fishing just above Ringold on the Columbia for salmon are curious, I didnt fall overboard. I'm ok, dont call the sheriff.

I left a Dummy Boat anchored in my favorite fishing hole for the next few weeks. You see, my friends and family have been fishing this spot every fall for 30+ years and we would appreciate it if you stayed away from "our" spot and didnt crowd us.

First come first serve right? 

fishing is a different story. 90% of the fish are found in 10% of the water. If You like to catch fish You better get comfortable with combat fishing. There's a reason the people are fishing shoulder to shoulder. same thing with boats in the water. If You have ever fished lake Washington on the rare occasion when the sockeye are legal to catch. Boats on top of boats. All the public land belongs to all of the public. that includes You and me.

See, that is the problem.
Fishing ISN'T a different story. Someone setting up a dummy camp on public land to save their spot for sometime in the future is the EXACT same thing as was posted above about the fishing hole. No different. You cannot block other members of the public from using public land cause you can't/won't bother to actually be in the camp until later. Period.
Don't care if your granddad's granddad camped at that very location when he hunted elk. YOU have no right to attempt to control that piece of property until you get there. If you are there and camping- great. If not- don't be a POS *censored* and leave your **** there until you can find the time to actually occupy it. Carry on...

[Karl Blanchard]

I used to laugh when I would see those tents and instantly think "dummy camp". 

Then I would happen to see someone there on my way out actually camping.

Sometimes people can only afford a $40 tent.

replace $40 dome tent with way over priced backpacking tent and that's me.  Even if I am day hunting I've got a lawn chair, a roll top table, and a tent.  I dont go hunting to camp so what do I need all the fluff for.

With that said I used to go pal around with the Hiatt camp up in the Wenas years ago during modern rifle elk.  I believe they are up to 4 generations now in that camp and probably 40+ years using that site.  The camp tradition is a huge part of the hunting heritage and I would NEVER try and take that away from any family or group.  Just because its public and first come first served, doesnt necessarily make it that way in my book

[mfswallace]

I used to laugh when I would see those tents and instantly think "dummy camp". 

Then I would happen to see someone there on my way out actually camping.

Sometimes people can only afford a $40 tent.

replace $40 dome tent with way over priced backpacking tent and that's me.  Even if I am day hunting I've got a lawn chair, a roll top table, and a tent.  I dont go hunting to camp so what do I need all the fluff for.

With that said I used to go pal around with the Hiatt camp up in the Wenas years ago during modern rifle elk.  I believe they are up to 4 generations now in that camp and probably 40+ years using that site.  The camp tradition is a huge part of the hunting heritage and I would NEVER try and take that away from any family or group.  Just because its public and first come first served, doesnt necessarily make it that way in my book

howdy neighbor

Burke / Fife camp been about 65yrs! We go back to David Longmire 1871 originally

[Karl Blanchard]

I used to laugh when I would see those tents and instantly think "dummy camp". 

Then I would happen to see someone there on my way out actually camping.

Sometimes people can only afford a $40 tent.

replace $40 dome tent with way over priced backpacking tent and that's me.  Even if I am day hunting I've got a lawn chair, a roll top table, and a tent.  I dont go hunting to camp so what do I need all the fluff for.

With that said I used to go pal around with the Hiatt camp up in the Wenas years ago during modern rifle elk.  I believe they are up to 4 generations now in that camp and probably 40+ years using that site.  The camp tradition is a huge part of the hunting heritage and I would NEVER try and take that away from any family or group.  Just because its public and first come first served, doesnt necessarily make it that way in my book

Burke / Fife camp been about 65yrs  howdy neighbor

haha!  Haven't been in years.  My out of state adventures get in the way now.  I never had a rifle tag but learned to skin and split wood in that camp as a young teen.  I skinned every elk for about a 7 year span that came through that camp and took great pride when uncle Jim or Grandpa Steve would say "that Karl is an elk skinning sumbitch!" I'd strut around like a rooster

[time2hunt]

Make sure to leave some cheap beer in your dummy tent that way when the tweekers steal it they won’t get dehydrated.  I wouldn’t leave a lawn chair up there these days.


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