Whether you are planning an expedition, hunting elk in the Rocky Mountains or white-tail deer in the wildlands of Virginia setting up camp is one important step that can not be overlooked. The relationship between having an ideal hunting camp and the success of a hunt can’t be underestimated. Setting up an ill-equipped and poorly organized hunting camp can exaggerate even minor inconveniences of being away from the comfort of your home.
Below are a few tips to help you set up a great hunting camp.
1. Choosing a site
*Safety should be your first consideration when choosing a site to set up your camp. The further away you are from civilization the higher the risk of something happening to you. Keep this in mind when choosing your site and take into consideration the animals that may live in the forest around you.
*Your site location should not be too close to game trails. This prevents the risk of having a wild animal wander into your site and also lessens the possibility of scaring away the exact thing you may be hunting.
*Avoid setting up under things that can fall at any moment. This includes dead tree branches or rocks.
*Consider terrain. You might set up camp under clear skies only to wake up in a flooded depression. Choose a location that is fairly level to avoid being in such a situation.
2. Proximity
Setting up a campsite for the fun of it is very different from setting up a hunting camp. When setting up a camp just for fun you will want to be near great scenery for great photos, this is just not a priority when setting up a hunting camp.
*You will need to be close to fresh water for drinking which is important for survival.
*Find an area that increases your chances of a successful hunt. You do not want to set up camp that is too close or too visible to where you plan on doing the actual hunt as this could spook the game out of the area.
*That being said, you also want to set up in an area that is close enough so that you can be in your hunting position without wasting too much time. Remember, if you do take something down, you will have to haul it back to camp.
3. Storage space
It is close to impossible to carry all your belongings every day when you go hunting. It is therefore vital that you have enough storage space for your extra gear as well as your food.
*First, you will need to separate the cooking area and the sleeping area. You should not take food into the sleeping area. This will reduce the risk of animals getting close to you when you are sleeping if they happen to wander into camp.
*Ensure all food and meat is hang in bags at least three meters from the ground and a few meters from the sleeping tents. Hang any game you gave scored off the ground and away from the camp area.
4. Keep the camp area clean
*The first thing you should consider is setting up a toilet. It should be away from the living area and away from the water source. If you plan to stay in the camp for long, dig a deep trench that can accommodate all human waste. When you leave the site make sure you bury all human waste.
*Do not leave your garbage lying around. Make sure you burn all your waste or carry it back home for proper disposal.
*Clean up your campsite and the area around it before you go. Leave it cleaner than when you got there. Keeping the forest around you clean ensures happy hunters, campers, and animals for years to come.
Now with these tips, you are ready to go on a whitetail hunt.
