Setting Up Camp: Do’s And Don’ts On Camping During Hunting
Setting Up Camp: Do's And Don'ts On Camping During Hunting
It is normal for the hunter to set up a camping site during the hunting season. The camp site is a place where you can relax, enjoy nature, and get a full nights rest before going out hunting again in the morning. Considering this will be your base of operation during the hunting season, you have to make sure that you have everything that you need all ready in your campsite for easy access.
Making a list and checking it twice
The first step in planning for a campsite is to make a checklist on what you need to bring along with you. Necessities will include the basics: eating, sleeping, and recreation. Once you have these three firmly in you head, you can easily map out what to bring.
For sleeping quarters, you should consider the weather. Most deer hunters brag about staying in the woods and living the old-fashion way, but considering the conveniences that can be yours if you can afford it, well, why suffer? A sleeping bag is great to ward off the chill, and a tent is quite handy to keep the weather off your back.
Some hunters bring a second tent that will serve as their eating area and recreation center. If you are out hunting with a group instead of being alone, then a secondary tent will be needed. The second tent has to be large and spacious since this will serve as your meeting and dining room.
Other basic necessities will include flashlight, batteries, cooking utensils, a utility knife (very important) and extra clothing.
Setting up camp!
You need to set up camp in an even terrain, choose a soft patch of land where you are immune to possible flooding, or offending rocks underneath. You have to make sure that your campsite is a place of comfort. It's always best to set up camp where the weather won't get to you.
You need to organize your camp depending on certain activities. Sleeping should be on one end of the camp, eating and cooking on the other. You don't want these two activities together or you might end up with some foraging visitors while you sleep.
If you intend to cook by fire instead of a cooking stove, then you better set it up carefully to avoid accidental flame-ups. It is best to surround your campfire with rocks, and remove any flammable material around it. Also, make sure that your tent is a ways from your campfire since embers might end up burning down your sleeping area.
Block and tackle, a deer hunters closet
Practically a deer hunters best friend, a block and tackle is a necessary tool when camping out. A block and tackle is composed of a system of two or more pulleys attached to a rope or cable. This is used to pull up heavy loads with minimal force.
A block and tackle is especially useful to hang hunting trophies like deer, waterfowl and other prey. This is also a convenient tool for skinning and dressing the deer out in the wild; since the buck is suspended in mid-air, you can easily move the deer in any position you desire.
The contraption also provides a means of protection from scavengers who roam the forest at night; making sure that your catch will remain untouched during the night or while you're out on another hunting expedition.
Foresight is necessary when planning to camp in the great outdoors. Aside from planning for the weather, you need to make sure that you have everything you need to avoid regrets later on.
