Motel vs. camping

[Tbob]

So when you guys hunt out of state, how many of you camp out vs. get a motel room?

[Dhoey07]

For Idaho elk, we camp.  I don't see where it would be time effective to stay at a motel.  Even if it's a hour away, that's two hours there and back that you are either losing hunting time or sleep. 

[Karl Blanchard]

If you have the disposable income than eating out and staying in a motel is great. Usually adds some drive time and added fuel costs also. I’m doing 4 states a year on average so I’d go broke staying in a motel. I’m also no there to camp so if I’m not backpacking and I’m only truck camping then I run a very minimal camp. Jet boil and a lawn chair type camp. If it’s a late season hunt though and weather is cold a wall tent setup is nice or propane in a big dome tent though condensation can get annoying

[Karl Blanchard]

I’d also add that for what a week in a hotel would cost you could buy camping gear that will offer you countless days afield. I sleep under my tailgate half the time though so maybe not the best person to ask about this   we had a pretty plush “minimalist” camp in WY a while back. @Bullblaster may have pics since he didn’t lose his phone on Sunday 

[Stein]

Most of the time I camp but for a certain late hunt I hotel.  When I had a Suburban it was perfect because I had the back all set up for sleeping and I could move camp every night and sleep wherever was most convenient for hunting.  My truck now has a 6.5 bed which is cramped so I usually tent.

If it's wicked cold, coming back to a hotel and hot tub are very nice.  In that instance, I only have a 20 minute drive to about 6 hunting spots so it's really convenient as well.

[baker5150]

We camp out.  Either tent, Travel Trailer, or on our backs
Saves time money, and we are much more mobile this way.

We have gotten a room in the past, mid trip, to shower and dry out when needed.  It's always coincided with being in town for some other reason.  It's also always taken way more time out of our day than expected.  It an be hard to find a room during season too, especially for one night. 

[TheStovePipeKid]

Whenever I go by myself I always camp in free areas. Last year I started camping in my vehicles to save time and to be more mobile. I took my Dad out in Decemeber and he asked that we get a motel because he can't do the cold anymore. I'd have to give up hunting if I were staying in motels. At this point I have the cost down to gas and licensing, everything else is paid for.

[CAMPMEAT]

When I was younger, I'd sleep in the bed of my truck under my canopy. Too old now, so moteling it is. I'd always pick a motel where I could start hunting within minutes. For wolf hunting, I'd stay in Avery in my camper and or Wallace at the Starlight.....

[BULLBLASTER]

I’d also add that for what a week in a hotel would cost you could buy camping gear that will offer you countless days afield. I sleep under my tailgate half the time though so maybe not the best person to ask about this   we had a pretty plush “minimalist” camp in WY a while back. @Bullblaster may have pics since he didn’t lose his phone on Sunday 

I got a couple. Not many or great ones tho. That trip we didn’t even go it o town to eat once. It was nice. 

The wind karate chopping the tent was a bit surprising tho! 

[mburrows]

Camp is the preference for me whether it be trailer, wall tent or packing in. Hoteled it a couple of times and its nice but I catch myself not hunting as hard if Im in a hotel and have to drive a ways to get back to where Im hunting.  Late November though if I dont have a tent with stove or a travel trailer I would be in a hotel for sure because Im weak like that.

[Karl Blanchard]

I’d also add that for what a week in a hotel would cost you could buy camping gear that will offer you countless days afield. I sleep under my tailgate half the time though so maybe not the best person to ask about this   we had a pretty plush “minimalist” camp in WY a while back. @Bullblaster may have pics since he didn’t lose his phone on Sunday 

I got a couple. Not many or great ones tho. That trip we didn’t even go it o town to eat once. It was nice. 

The wind karate chopping the tent was a bit surprising tho! 

2 cots, sleeping bags, tent, stove, and a cooler. Don’t need much more than that.

[trophyhunt]

I’d also add that for what a week in a hotel would cost you could buy camping gear that will offer you countless days afield. I sleep under my tailgate half the time though so maybe not the best person to ask about this   we had a pretty plush “minimalist” camp in WY a while back. @Bullblaster may have pics since he didn’t lose his phone on Sunday 

I got a couple. Not many or great ones tho. That trip we didn’t even go it o town to eat once. It was nice. 

The wind karate chopping the tent was a bit surprising tho! 

2 cots, sleeping bags, tent, stove, and a cooler. Don’t need much more than that, other than a complete collection of john Denver's greatest hits!!  He's my favorite singer, often dress up like him.

I fixed it for you karl.   

[kselkhunter]

Kind of all of the above.  When out of state, I'm usually with friends.  Although sometimes solo.  Depends on if it's an archery season back country hunt or a later rifle season in worse weather.   I've done motel once when the excess rain caused a flood to make crossing the creek up to our backcountry camp location too dangerous to cross so we altered plans, and staid at a hotel 10 miles away and changed where we hunted.  But that was more of a safety thing.   


If I'm solo, and it's a shorter hunt I sleep in the bed of my truck under the canopy.  If I'm solo and it's a longer hunt, I'm usually backpacked in somewhere in tent or tipi/stove setup.  Usually with the guys, we'll be in my 8man tipi in the backcountry somewhere.  There is the occasional time like last month's turkey opener in Oregon where I got lazy and had my brother in law tow his 30 ft travel trailer out and we camped in style.   

[Karl Blanchard]

I’d also add that for what a week in a hotel would cost you could buy camping gear that will offer you countless days afield. I sleep under my tailgate half the time though so maybe not the best person to ask about this   we had a pretty plush “minimalist” camp in WY a while back. @Bullblaster may have pics since he didn’t lose his phone on Sunday 

I got a couple. Not many or great ones tho. That trip we didn’t even go it o town to eat once. It was nice. 

The wind karate chopping the tent was a bit surprising tho! 

2 cots, sleeping bags, tent, stove, and a cooler. Don’t need much more than that, other than a complete collection of john Denver's greatest hits!!  He's my favorite singer, often dress up like him.

I fixed it for you karl.   

yes sir! I play them so no matter how bad the weather conditions get, the misery is drowned out by the misery of the music

[BULLBLASTER]

I’d also add that for what a week in a hotel would cost you could buy camping gear that will offer you countless days afield. I sleep under my tailgate half the time though so maybe not the best person to ask about this   we had a pretty plush “minimalist” camp in WY a while back. @Bullblaster may have pics since he didn’t lose his phone on Sunday 

I got a couple. Not many or great ones tho. That trip we didn’t even go it o town to eat once. It was nice. 

The wind karate chopping the tent was a bit surprising tho! 

2 cots, sleeping bags, tent, stove, and a cooler. Don’t need much more than that.

Uhh... we had a oven too. How else would we have cooked the pizzas and burritos!!??

Don’t you remember anything!?