Alone at deer camp

[Wolfer]

Today was the first day of alternative methods season here in MO. My brother and nephew had their Christmas dinner tonight and my main huntin buddy couldn't come this weekend. So as it ends up I'm here by myself and as you can tell I may be bored.
Didnt see no deer today. There are no grouse here and I had to eat tuna for supper. Did see lots of squirrels. But didn't shoot any.

I love teepee living!

[richhodg66]

I see posts from guys who make a big social deer camp of friends and spend a week in the woods. I do like to camp out, it's a fun activity in and of itself, but one of the things I like about my deer hunting is the solitude. I'm also fortunate to live close to a good tract of public land where I hunt, so staying out really isn't necessary.

One day, I'll try an overnight away camp during deer season, it does sound like fun. Good luck with that muzzle loader.

[atr]

Like richhodg66 I like solitude when I hunt. And to me hunting is more about finding the critters than it is about shooting them.

[1bluehorse]

Better get some more firewood....[smilie=l:

[c1skout]

Enjoy your solo hunt. Just be mindful to not over-exert yourself, especially hauling out meat! Is that an H&R smokepole? I've got 2 of them.

[ammohead]

Recently went camping/hunting by myself also. Not too far from where I live. It was a practice run for the new tent stove I built.
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss189/brucerfrechette/1120151811a_zpsgj7vq7qd.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/brucerfrechette/media/1120151811a_zpsgj7vq7qd.jpg.html)
I did take a walk and do some coyote calling but they only laughed at me from afar. But the stove worked good. It was an awesome relaxing weekend. With it getting dark early I really caught up on much needed sleep and being close to home I was able to pack up and make it home in time to watch football on Sun.

[HiVelocity]

Today was the first day of alternative methods season here in MO. My brother and nephew had their Christmas dinner tonight and my main huntin buddy couldn't come this weekend. So as it ends up I'm here by myself and as you can tell I may be bored.

A perfect opportunity to invite retired, or disabled, vets to join you. Maybe next year?

Merry Christmas All!

HV

[Wolfer]

I also like solitude. I've always said I treasured my own company. I love to hunt/camp but don't care much for camping just to be camping. I've spent many days/nights alone at deer camp. Once I had a week vacation that I took during muzzleloader season. All my hunting buddies had to work so I never saw another human from Sunday night until the following Saturday morn. It was grand!!

Scout
It is an H&R. To bad they don't make them anymore. I've only killed one deer with it. I've shot several deer while carrying it but they were close enough for my pistol and I used that instead. When it was still muzzleloader only I shot two with my 58 rem while packing the H&R.

Ill tell this on myself before someone else does.
This morning my brother and nephew was going to stop on the highway and walk down a couple points and hunt. I was to be in the river bottom in case they jumped something up. They would be starting at 6:00 AM. I wanted to be in place when it was light enough to shoot.

I went to bed early and slept like a baby. Woke up in the same position I lay down in. Looked at my watch with my 60 yr old eyes and saw it was 6:00 straight up. Jumped out of bed, fried up some breakfast, got dressed, jumped on the 4 wheeler for the 20 min ride to the bottom.

After I parked the 4 wheeler I walked a ways down toward my stand. I then sat down to wait for daylight. After thinking the dark was sure hanging on this morning I looked at my watch.
I had to look twice to confirm that it indeed said 1:30. When I woke up it was 12:30 straight up not 6:00

I laughed all the way back to camp.

[MT Gianni]

I am another that generally hunts alone. A draw is an exception as 4 of us put in together for elk. Being by yourself for a week without seeing other humans is a unique experience too few get, IMO.

[TXGunNut]

My last hunting trip had plenty of solitude. I filled my cooler first day of a four day hunt so I sat in or near camp and watched critters and birds. It's a good opportunity to sort out the things that bounce around in my head and my cell phone (thus internet) don't work out there so it's a refreshing experience. I'll take a book next time, lol.

[kens]

Someone once asked me about that kind of hunting, they ask if it is lonely.
I said no, it is not lonely, it is peaceful.

[Thumbcocker]

I am blessed to be able to hunt on our own land. I walk out the door and in 1/2 hour I am up my tree waiting for daylight. I have never done the group hunt thing. Waiting for it to get light is a great experience.

[thadfz]

Wolfer,

That story is great!! I laughed too. Probably not something I would have done though...way too lazy for that!!!

[Tracy]

When you said "alternative methods" I had visions of somebody hunting with a hickory switch! :p
Nice setup, btw. What size is your tipi? Am I seeing the inner wall there? I love canvas tents, and have a Reliable spike tent and a homebuilt woodstove for it. I also have one of those H&R muzzleloaders in .45; and used to have one in .58.

[Wolfer]

This is a sheep herder tent from Davis tent. An excellent company to do business with. My old stove is 15 yrs old and like me was showing its age. This one is made from an army shell can that I picked up at a flea market for $10

I prefer a wall tent to this style but this is quite easy for me to set up by myself.

[Blackwater]

Great story, Wolfer. I can tell you're the kind of guy I'd love to share a tent with. Enjoying solitude is getting to be a lost art form. And good comments all around, too. Solitude is maybe half the reason it's so enjoyable to hunt these days, plus being "out there" where there's only you, and God and His creations. Keeps the sense of awe and wonder of it all strong. Thanks for a great post.

[Wolfer]

Tracy
Its 12'x12' I just refer to it as a tepee.

Thanks Blackwater, In years past I've probably shared Elk/ deer camp with well over a hundred different men. 10 days in Elk camp and you really get to know someone. Often better than you would like.
Good hunting, camping partners are a treasure and a joy to be in the wilderness with.

[Tracy]

Nice! When I bought mine I looked at the wall tents. I prefer them too, but bought my spike tent for its ease of pitching and taking down by one person.
After reading this yesterday I headed over to Reliable's website to look at their tipis. I might get one yet.

[Grandpas50AE]

Wolfer - this is my first post here in a while, and to my amazement this was the first thread I looked at tonight. What a great flood of memories this has rekindled. I hunted with a deer club in Arkansas for over 3 decades, and a few of the hunting friends I made there are still alive, but most are long gone. There were many nights I spent alone in the small metal shed we had there with one of those wonderful cast iron wood stoves; hearing it lightly gurgle all night, feeding it a log every two hours or so, and hearing the woods outside was a special treat. Occasionally, I would be the only one there for several nights, and like one of the posters above said: It is not lonely, it is peaceful. I never had any problem finding enough things to look at in myself to be entertained in musing at what could be improved, and that is, indeed, a lost art these days. We used to dig "biscuit pits" - pits where the dutch ovens would fit, to cook sourdough biscuits and sourdough Jalapeno cornbread, along with sourdough Blackberry or Cherry cobbler; those were some of the finest days I've lived, and some of the most precious days Our Lord has graciously blessed me with. Glad you had a chance to enjoy your time alone. Merry Christmas, and thanks for sharing your story.

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

I had the opportunity to spend a few months pretty much alone in a tipi the winter of 80 - 81. That was shortly after getting out of the navy at age 24. There is a big difference between "alone" and "peaceful". Sometimes, I'd hear folks coming and slip into the brush to hide out until they gave up and left. I did get tired of cottontail rabbits, who liked to jump into my traps set for ole wiley. Those that have not experienced "solitude" really don't know what they are missing.

[TXGunNut]

It's funny how spending time alone in the woods helps you understand how to deal with other folks and the hustle & bustle of "normal" life.

[Crawdaddy]

Im like most of the others. I hunt alone most of the time.

[Wolfer]

Years ago I had a work buddy that owned 500 acres of prime hunting ground. He and I hunted it quite a bit.
Someone else at worked asked if my buddy was a hunter. I replied not in my opinion. If I went down to go hunting he would go also. If I didn't go then he wouldn't go.

A true hunter doesn't have to have someone to take him, he will go by himself.

[tankgunner59]

ammohead I'm just another old goat around the house. Recently declared disabled and tryin to keep busy. I like that stove, could I persuade you to tell me how it's constructed. I've been a welder by trade and have access to one. I'd love to build one of those for camping. I plan on going deer hunting next year and that stove and a canvas tent would be sweet. If not I'll try to work up a design, since I'll have to save the bucks first.
I saw Wolfers pic and started to drool. I would love to get out there like that.

[Washington1331]

You all have definately got me jealous. I was unable to go this year due to work being crazy and local logistics politics. All the farms around these parts lease their hunting rights to the area clubs. I've tried public lands, but I find with the dubious skill/judgment of the local hunters (way too many bad experiences with them not identifying their target) its darn risky going without someone to cover your six. I'd love to be able to hunt alone, but with the diminishing tracts of public land and abundance of individuals suffering from cranial-rectal inversion... I'd like to have someone able to call for help in the event that something goes arwy.

[Markbo]

I wont hunt public land ever since that ******* came whistling down the firebreak toward me. When he got close I whistled softly to get his attention and let him know he was being a *******. He heard it and he immediately drew down me. I jumped up screaming, but thought I was a goner for sure. Never again during deer season

[TXGunNut]

I wont hunt public land ever since that ******* came whistling down the firebreak toward me. When he got close I whistled softly to get his attention and let him know he was being a *******. He heard it and he immediately drew down me. I jumped up screaming, but thought I was a goner for sure. Never again during deer season


Many years ago three hunters approached my position in a public hunting area. When they walked under my climbing tree stand I got their attention. They said they hadn't seen me earlier but had seen lots of other hunters. I'd been there since 5A, after they were gone I realized they were lost in the E TX woods. Since I was above them they knew I wasn't game so I didn't see the wrong end of any muzzles. They were quite surprised when I alerted them to my presence, I'd been watching them for some time.

[Markbo]

Davey Crockett forest was it? ;)

[TXGunNut]

Davey Crockett forest was it? ;)


Yes, beautiful place to get lost!

[geezer56]

Im on the lease watching it rain right now. Will be here til Saturday night. I get to enjoy the woods all alone and without having to worry about the drunks coming up on New Years.

[Markbo]

Thats where.my crazy was too

[richhodg66]

I hunt public land exclusively and have rarely had a problem. I won't go out the first weekend of our regular forearms season, and the opening weekend of pheasant and quail season usually has a lot of people, but most of the other times it's pretty good. One reason I especially like muzzle loader season and now the extended antlerless season in January. I won't see another soul on that entore big tract of public land I hunt then.

I also hunt from tree stands if at all possible. I always know if somebody is around before they know I'm there, if they looked to be a problem, I'd yell and get their attention.

[GunnyJohn]

I love the picture of your camp. It brings back a lot of really good memories, from when I used to have the time to horse pack into the wilderness area for elk. Lately it seems like work is always in the way. I really enjoy hunting alone. It gives you the freedom to just take off and go without worrying about what everyone else is doing or bringing. You hunt where you want, eat what you want, and can just sit and enjoy the country with out worries or interuptions. Nothing like it.

[ammohead]

I'd love to build one of those for camping.

Tank,

The bottom and two sides are 11 ga sheet steel 12"x22" with a 12x12 back. The top is 10 ga and is cut to hang over the sides about an inch. The front is made of sheet steel broke 90 deg with a iron worker that has a 12" press brake attachment.
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss189/brucerfrechette/DSCF3146_zpsekq1pbuo.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/brucerfrechette/media/DSCF3146_zpsekq1pbuo.jpg.html)
The two side pieces go full length top to bottom and the top and bottom pieces are cut to a length to fit between the verticle pieces. This makes a square edge type opening that contacts the gasket on the door for an airtight fit. The door is a flat piece of sheet steel with thin strips welded to straddle the opening edge with door gasket glued in place.
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss189/brucerfrechette/DSCF3145_zpsfhhpfh2o.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/brucerfrechette/media/DSCF3145_zpsfhhpfh2o.jpg.html)
This pic also shows the backside of the airvents that are made from 3/8" flat stock with scallops milled for better air flow. They are drilled and tapped for 1/2"-13. I bought the weld on hinge at a ranch/hardware store.
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss189/brucerfrechette/DSCF3142_zpsnn8jsr6t.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/brucerfrechette/media/DSCF3142_zpsnn8jsr6t.jpg.html)
This is the front of the door. After cutting the holes with a 1 7/8" holesaw I welded a short piece of 1 1/2" pipe to the door over the hole. The adjustable vent is a 1/2"-13 bolt with a washer welded to the back of the head and a handle welded to the front. Screw the bolt in and out to adjust burn rate. The stove is quite airtight and if you close the vents all the way even a good size fire will go dead out in short order.
http://i574.photobucket.com/albums/ss189/brucerfrechette/DSCF3144_zpsm8dexaia.jpg (http://s574.photobucket.com/user/brucerfrechette/media/DSCF3144_zpsm8dexaia.jpg.html)
This pic shows the door overall including the crude latch that actually works quite well. The name plate says BERO which is Basque for "warm". The base is a separate piece and is made from 1 1/4"X 3/16" angle iron. Good luck. We will want pictures.