Remote base camps.

[Topshot]

For those people that back pack into remote areas I was wondering if you set up a semi permanent base camp or do you pack everything in and out each time you hunt?

We are privileged to be able to deer hunt 12 months of the year so I tend to set up a base camp in a remote valley somewhere and pack in and out for about 8 months of the year. The rest of the year the Stags have no antlers and it is too hot anyway.

These base camps are set up about 5km away from the vehicle with a steep climb down into the hunting area. I pick a spot with plenty of clean water and heaps of deer.

My base camp tent will be left set up for about 8 months and all gear is stored inside the tent or up hollow logs. Each time I hike into the camp I take fresh food and a few extras.
It is amazing how much gear you can collect in the base camp over this period of time. Chairs, stretchers, cooking gear, tarps etc. A real home away from home.

From the base camp I will do overnight trips further into the wilderness and for this I take a one man fly tent which I set up on a ridge with a good view of the valley, a lot of game is see this way.

After 8 months I pull down the tent and stow all the gear in a secure location for the next year. Some times it is still there next year and other times summer fires burn it all up and you have to start all over again.

[Long Time Long Ranger]

All the time. I had one in the west elk wilderness of colorado, thoroughfare country of wyoming and my caribou hole in alaska. Amazing how fast stuff builds up when you plan for a week and tag out early. I stash all the extra stuff for another year. Works great. When can I come down and hunt stags? I will swap you an elk or something.

[Topshot]

Originally Posted by Long Time Long Ranger

All the time. I had one in the west elk wilderness of colorado, thoroughfare country of wyoming and my caribou hole in alaska. Amazing how fast stuff builds up when you plan for a week and tag out early. I stash all the extra stuff for another year. Works great. When can I come down and hunt stags? I will swap you an elk or something.

Thanks for the kind offer. If you ever want to come down this way I am sure that we can organize some hunting for you.

I have a mate in Missouri that I hunt with in the U.S. and here in Aus, unfortunately my good mate is battling cancer at the moment so If I do get a chance to get over there again I will be going straight to his place to check up with him and spend some time.

[SamTucker]

I love pack hunting. It allows me to do my favorite things, and its a great excuse to walk around for long distances alone in rugged areas...with a rifle.

As for permanancy...most of my locations don't allow it, but I do have stashes. Fore security as well as legal reasons they are no-trace, that is, certain key items; fry pans, extra tarp, some rope, water tote, etc....are hidden away. I have had bear tear into them even in 5 gallon buckets. They've held up off and on for over a decade now. Oh....the hammock

this is my first post. Great forum.

take care

[Nvhunter]

It is difficult to find areas far from a road in the US anymore. Backpacker magazine published - the furthest distance in a roadless area is 20 or 22 miles at this time.

That stated. Most roadless areas that I have hunted are generally 10 miiles long and 8 miles wide. Plenty of rough mountain terrain with elevation gains of 2000 - 3000 feet from that last road. Packing in is a necessity.

Generally, I will prestash some equipment for the high camp during several pre-hunt scouting trips. Then pack it all out after the hunt. Upon harvesting a deer it takes about 2 days to clear the high camp and bring the harvest down the mountain.

I generally have two camps. One at the end of the road, near the jeep. The high camp is for 2 to 3 day durations near the top of the ridgeline and is generally 2k - 3k higher than base camp.

Can't wait to go again this year.