Base camping on a saddle

[mmcdonough]

Hey guys,

Looking for some opinions on a base camp spot. I've been working with my little brother on camp locations for an OTC archery hunt in the Idaho panhandle this fall. He's doing all of the leg work since I don't live there anymore but being big brother I find myself questioning some of his decisions.

We've got a bead on some base camp locations, one of the best looking spots he's recommended is way up on a timbered saddle, it sits right on the mouth of two different trail heads that can cover both sides of the draw we want to be in. It almost looks to good to be true. There's even a road with access right to the spot so we'll be able to just drive right up there.

The only thing I'm questioning is whether or not it's a good idea to be camping up high on a saddle like that? I don't know a ton about thermals but it seems like our scent would be broadcast to everything below us come morning and evening. The only saving grace is that it's on the southeastern end of the draw. We should be clear for everything north of us, but the last thing I want is to blow everything out before we even get a chance to hike down. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[idahohikker]

Camp at least a half mile from where you're hunting and/or expecting elk to show up.

 

[Tayler Wayne]

Yeah, if you’re going to hunt well beyond your camp, then that sounds ok. But if you want to hunt near that area, there won’t be much there after you set up. Elk aren’t always 10 miles back in; they can be in pockets a lot closer to roads or trails than you’d think. I always like to put at least a few miles between base camp and where I’m hoping to get into elk.


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[Calbuck]

Keep in mind those saddles are wind funnels too. You mentioned it was timbered, so may not be a problem with big wind gusts.

 

[Mike 338]

Thermals aren't your problem. Water might be if you don't bring enough with you. Pack'in meat is all uphill too. That said, sounds like little brother has his poop in a group.

 

[rayporter]

a road? he aint got a water problem.

 

[Mike 338]

a road? he aint got a water problem.

True, although he may be 5 hours from water. Stock sometimes go through more than you'd think.

 

[rayporter]

watering stock is somthin I am familiar with. but I don't see where he mentions stock.

he says 'hike' down not ride down.

even if I am wrong, with access people are more likely a problem than water or thermals.

 

[elkliver]

With two trailheads and right along the road I think the large number of people will be a bigger issues than worrying about elk

 

[diyhntr]

Trails and roads= people

 

[mmcdonough]

True, although he may be 5 hours from water. Stock sometimes go through more than you'd think.

We'll be bringing plenty of water with for sure. There is a creak at the bottom of the road if need be too.

 

[mmcdonough]

With two trailheads and right along the road I think the large number of people will be a bigger issues than worrying about elk

That's my other concern as well. He said he could get up there before September though and save the spot. It's a pretty remote unit, less than 200 archers hunted it last year.

 

[mmcdonough]

watering stock is somthin I am familiar with. but I don't see where he mentions stock.

he says 'hike' down not ride down.

even if I am wrong, with access people are more likely a problem than water or thermals.

No water source up top where we'd be, but there's a creek down lower on the road we come up on. One of the trails is hike only but the other one is OHV. I'm guessing we'll see people but that's the nature of public land hunts I suppose. It's still a massive area so hopefully people wouldn't become a problem.

 

[bluesulphur]

With two trailheads and right along the road I think the large number of people will be a bigger issues than worrying about elk

This would also be my main concern.

 

[mfllood3800]

I have had elk almost in my camp at night. One may have even stuck it's head in my tent looking for my "oatmeal". With all I read, people would be my biggest concern. It sounds too good to not be populated. Camp high, where I could hear elk, in 2 different draws, at once, a road to get right there, water down below if the 10,000 gallons I packed in on my vehicle ran out, thick timber area...…… If there are elk in that area, one would easily assume there will be hunters as well. Look at google again, and figure out, where the elk would be, if the spot you are eying, had 10 other base camps there. Where would that force the elk. That would be your plan b. Then find places that are at least 3-5 miles from a trail, that's your plan c. You probably get the idea.

 

[Blinn]

I have had the same worries in the past. I don’t know how many times I have laid awake at night (early morning) listening to elk practically move through camp. I have even come back to camp on different occasions late in the morning, or early afternoon to grab lunch and leave the elk be to bed in the heat of the day only to hear a bull scream within a couple hundred yards of camp. Anyways, I don’t get to worked about about where I camp anymore. Just use common sense. I try to get away from people. Find someplace protected from the wind. A good view is always nice! Cell signal is a nice little bonus too.

 

[westbranch]

Based on your descriptions, I might have some waypoints set for the same possible camping/hunting spots. I am still a new to elk hunting but last year I just picked a camping spot that was open and flat along the road. So convenience and access to surrounding drainages/draws. I was a bit worried about wind, but not really another spot to camp within a mile. Ended up bumping into elk within 200 yards of camp and shot a bull just over 1/4 mile away. A lot of hunters driving by, but only one parked to hunt nearby.

Also, a lot of the hiking trails in that area allow dirtbikes.

 

[tttoadman]

I would be looking for a bench about 1/3 up from the bottom and spike out there. Hunt up against the thermals in the morning, and back down in the evening. Use the shit show of people at the top to your advantage and let the elk move to you.

 

[SoDaky]

Close to the road may change this situation as would the 'size' of the saddle but I would never camp in one if,as most saddles,it's a travel route for elk.No need,move off somewhere.Sure they may fall in love with your camp,noise,smell etc but not likely.

 

[mmcdonough]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. It's been awhile since I've chased elk so it's all very much appreciated. The road we'd be taking to get up there is on the backside of the draw we want to be hunting. Here's a couple topo captures of the area (creek names withheld for reasons). I marked the road, camp site and trails in blue. One of the trails allows dirt bikes and one is strictly hiking. Not sure how many people actually follow that rule though.

There's a couple spots to camp outside along the road up but the best spot still looks like the trail head. There's a bench or two in the draw below where we'll be hunting too but we're using a canvas tent and I don't have much to hike and setup a spike camp with. I might bring a bivy tent just to try it but we mainly want to stay in the main camp. There's good glassing spots on either side of us too. We can peek into the whole valley from up there.