collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")  (Read 3899 times)

Offline dvmagernbk

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Sep 2017
  • Posts: 23
  • Location: Edmonds, WA
Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« on: September 14, 2017, 12:10:48 PM »
New hunter here planning a 2018 back country backpack hunt. I found a similar thread in this Backcountry forum from a few years ago, but this question wasn't answered. Let's say I've scouted my area before early season archery and have found mule deer. Let's say they are bedded down on a northern facing slop or a bench or in a shaded area or whatnot and that water and food for them is nearby.

Where is the best place to pitch my camp? How far away from this area? Is it okay to be on the same slope, just secluded but higher up? Do I want to be on the other side of that slope (like the other side of the mountain or something) and come over/around and down on them? Cross wind all the time?

Any advice on where I should set up my tent?

Offline yakimanoob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2016
  • Posts: 1102
  • Location: Naches
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2017, 03:17:07 PM »
I'm in the same boat, except that I'm leaving tomorrow to try my luck without knowing the best answer to your question  :chuckle:

If I find a buck I want but don't have time to get to him, I'd try to camp in a location where I won't be blowing my scent onto him, but where I could still be at a glassing spot by dawn to try and find him again.  I hammock camp pretty light and fast, so I don't mind being relatively close to where I think they'll be hanging out.

Offline theleo

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 1212
  • Location: Kennewick
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2017, 03:29:01 PM »
A flat spot he won't see or smell you.

Offline AL WORRELLS KID

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2017
  • Posts: 1605
  • Location: On The Sides Of The North
  • The Ancient of Days Lives
  • Groups: Washington State Trappers Association
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2018, 09:03:38 PM »
Perhaps pitching your Tent close to the Main Game Trail, might create some unusual challenges.  :chuckle:
Doug
"The farther one gets into the wilderness, the greater is the attraction of its lonely freedom." Theodore Roosevelt

Offline buglebrush

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2010
  • Posts: 1613
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2018, 11:02:05 PM »
Don't camp in the same basin.  Thermals go down in the evening and early morning so keep that in mind too. 

Offline yakimanoob

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jun 2016
  • Posts: 1102
  • Location: Naches
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #5 on: June 08, 2018, 11:40:16 AM »
haha!  Those are great photos.  To follow up on my previous post:

I ended up camping by a lake in an open basin, and in retrospect I regret it.  Not like I expected to have a buck next to my tent in the morning, but I bet any animals traversing high in the basin changed their route due to the new reflective spot (my tent fly) by the lake. 

Next time, I'll tuck myself into the trees and out of sight.

Offline Stein

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+11)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 12521
  • Location: Arlington
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #6 on: June 08, 2018, 11:52:15 AM »
As mentioned, thermals go up and down, if I was anywhere near the animals I would try to be as close to the same level, just several hundred yards one side or the other.  If given the choice, I would be in a different drainage as the deer will move around during the day and you don't want them catching a whiff of you no matter where they go.

Offline savagehunter

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+18)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 746
  • Location: everett
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #7 on: June 09, 2018, 11:51:19 AM »
I shot my high country deer last year from my tent 546 yard straight up the canyon from me.

Offline teanawayslayer

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2010
  • Posts: 3838
  • Location: Eastside
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2018, 08:50:55 AM »
Thermals you deffinetly need to pay attention to. One of the spots I go I camp close. It is close to a travel corridor. I have woken up in the middle of the night to deer busting after they get wind. I do quite a bit of scouting and adjust my plans to the pattern of the deer. Most of the time I do not do hot meals because I’m right in there back yard.
Happiness is being in the woods!!!

Offline paultanninen

  • blacktailhunter2018
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Jun 2018
  • Posts: 83
  • hunting is my middle name
  • Groups: paultanninen
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2018, 09:01:51 AM »
pitch your tent somewhere that the wind won't flatten your tent on your face
You know your hunt went well when you had a shot that was unethical and you never took it, even if you never got your bull.

Elk: I live it, hunt it, and eat it

Offline WildlifeAssassin

  • Past Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • *****
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 343
  • Groups: RMEF
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2018, 09:15:34 AM »
Beware of the trees you camp next to. Our forests have been slammed by Pine Beatles and an unbelievable amount of trees are dying and falling down. Also watch out for large limbs that could fall and cause damage to you or gear.

As for the situation mentioned, camp on other side of ridge to avoid blowing them out with your scent and sound. Wake up early, get in position before light.

Offline fillthefreezer

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 1486
  • Location: tacoma
  • @adventure_sd
Re: Where should I pitch my tent? (not "where should I hunt")
« Reply #11 on: June 18, 2018, 03:46:52 AM »
Good question OP

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Let’s see your best Washington buck by high_hunter
[Yesterday at 10:31:08 PM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by actionshooter
[Yesterday at 09:43:51 PM]


Walked a cougar down by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 08:31:53 PM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]


1x scopes vs open sights by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 07:29:35 PM]


Long Beach Clamming Tides by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 05:16:00 PM]


WTS Suppressors I Can Get by dreadi
[Yesterday at 03:30:33 PM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by Longfield1
[Yesterday at 03:27:51 PM]


Straight on by kentrek
[Yesterday at 03:04:53 PM]


2024-2026 Hunting Season Proposals by trophyhunt
[Yesterday at 01:51:40 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal