Bivy tent suggestions that wont break the bank

[saylean]

I am thinking about staying the night (maybe a few nights) in a bowl I have to hike about 4 miles to, during modern deer this coming year.

I am considering some bivy tents, but wanted some suggestions from my fellow hunters, if they have some they suggest.

Something that wont break the bank.

Any thoughts/suggestions ladies/gents?

Cheers~

[Huntbear]

saylean,

I have never had a true backpack type tent.  I always carried a couple of 8x10 blue tarps, and a couple of wool army blankets. 
One tarp on the ground, one over a rope above, and staked to the ground, crawl between the wool blankets.  I always slept well.   I even went so far as pricing having a bed roll sewed for me, out of waterproof canvas as a shell, and the blankets sewed inside.  I never went thru with it, but I still think about doing it to this day.  I love sleeping on the ground (even at 46) and being able to watch the stars at night.

Not sure it was lighter or not, but was sure a lot easier to put up in the dark, lol.

[saylean]

I've been kicking around that idea as well. Where I am headed, it would have plenty of protection (with trees) and I am pretty sure I could make something comfortable enough...

Thanks for the response.

[woodswalker]

I have a bedroll with waxed canvas as the outer layer and about 4 wool blankets...warm as toast and comfortable enough for a few days...tho the ground seems to get lumpier with each birthday...so need to add a Therma-Rest to the stack i think.

[ryoshi]

A blue tarp works really well, is cheap and relatively light.  There are some videos on YouTube that show how to set them up, just search for "tarp tent setup" and you'll find them.  Use a piece of tyvek for a footprint (floor) and get a decent sleeping bag and pad, the foam backpacking pads work well as well as the therm-a-rest's.  If you're packing in 4 miles, remember that if you kill a deer, you'll be packing him and all your gear out that same 4 miles.  The less weight you carry in, the less weight you'll be carrying out.  A boned out deer and antlers will add 60-80 pounds (or there abouts) to your pack.  One other thing, get all your gear together well before the season and do a test trip, it will let you know what works and what doesn't.  When you get home, sort your gear and make 2 piles, stuff you used and stuff you didn't.  A mistake many backpacking hunters make is carrying too much stuff, particularly extra clothes.  Have fun figuring it out and have a great hunt!

[saylean]

Thanks for the tips guys. I have been reading some backcountry book by Cameron Haynes....kind of gave me the bug to give a short run a try. Never really done a ton of it. I am usually a day packer.

[rasbo]

Thanks for the tips guys. I have been reading some backcountry book by Cameron Haynes....kind of gave me the bug to give a short run a try. Never really done a ton of it. I am usually a day packer.

Ive done the blue tarp,they are real load when its raining...But works,,There is a poncho that works really good also

[saylean]

I am hoping it wont rain much up there Rasbo...

but, ya, I bet its loud.

[rasbo]

Poncho Tarp Tent

[JackOfAllTrades]

I use a hammock that rolls up to be about the size of a ladies softball, (there's a thread from last fall that talks about hammocks). With that I use a water proof bivy bag and a sleeping bag for conditions expected. I seldom take a tarp with me. I hang the hammock 'in' the trees far enough from openings or trails, but close enough that I can see out of the forest/dense cover. Ever notice that there's more dew and frost outside the canopy of the woods? It's also a bit warmer in there and often out of the wind? I do have a 3# one man tent/fly that I use too. But that forces me to carry another 2 pound insulating mat. I don't carry a waterproof footprint for the tent. I use the mat under the tent as that water barrier and/or cut/collect fir/pine bows for even more insulation from the ground. (the reason I really like the hammock combined with a bivy bag is because it's less work to set my sleeping area and it's lighter to carry) I hang my boots upside down under under tree branches close to the trunk and hang my back pack from an extended branch -away from the trunk. (everything zipped up tight).  As far as bivy suggestions go.. There are several brands out there. Mine cost me about $100, the one man tent was another $60 but it is not something I'd consider alpine or glacial quality. The combination of having both a bivy bag, tent, hammock, lightweight tarp will allow you prepare for just about any hiking and remote camping condition you'd ever expect. The U.S. ARMY sleaping system with goretex bivy bag looks to be very well thought out. But there are other systems, or a system you design that will work as well or better. REI, Sportsmans Guide.. Let Google find what you need:

Terra Nova Equipment Moonlite Bivi Sack, http://www.altrec.com/exped/scout-hammock ,

-Steve

[bow-n-head]

Here in Montana in general rifle season I usually freeze my ars off at night. I sleep in a tent on a pad in a slumberjack with my wool clothes on. I don't know of a light sleeping system that gives you warmth and comfort without "breaking the bank".

[MagKarl]

I have seen some killer deals on gently used bivy type gear on Craig's List.  Backpacking is just like any other hobby, people go blow big $$ at REI and then don't use it much.  Some nice gear out there. 

[finfeatherfur]

Look at Tube Tents.  they run $5-6,  easy to set up in multiple configurations and keep the weather off.  They usually only last one or two trips but for the price you can just get another one.  Sportsman Warehouse used to carry them. 

[CastleRocker]

We just use the military surplus modular sleeping bags, and a tarp.  Sometimes we bring a lightweight tent and don't use the tarp.  Sometimes we just sleep under the stars.  These bags are heavy (about 7 or 8 lbs.) and actually a bit too warm sometimes. (That's when I "field strip it", and remove the intermediate bag). However, when you are in the high country I think it's better to be asleep and a little too warm, than wide awake and freezing.  Yeah, a tarp is loud when it's raining, but if I have spent my day hunting/hiking/packing, I sleep pretty well.  I'd like to try a hammock sometime.  A friend of mine swears by them. 

[ICEMAN]

I like bug and rodent protection... If you don't care about insects, get some tyvek, and make yourself a lightweight tarp assembly.