Camp Location

[pnwsteelheader]

A little context: Hunting Mountain/Alpine Blacktail and Black Bear in Western Washington

Coming from a backpacking background, I enjoyed nothing more than camping right near a water source or ridgeline. As I’ve transitioned further into hunting, I’ve gotta ask. Am I correct in assuming I should not camp on a ridgeline overlooking a basin I’ll be hunting? I feel like not camping right next to a water source is an obvious one, but in regards to scenting out the whole area I’ll be hunting, would it be best to camp a couple hundred feet below the ridge on the opposite side of where I’m glassing the following morning?

Apologies if this is a no-brainer. Hunting solo, so any outside input is always appreciated.

 

[Bubblehide]

I would not camp in any spot in which my scent may drift into an area I want to hunt, or where I might be visable. I also want to be far enough away where incidental noise made won't be geard by game.

 

[pnwsteelheader]

Makes sense. Seems like thermals go down hill each night? I guess this may vary from spot to spot, season by season, but generally speaking, down at night, up in the morning?

 

[Bubblehide]

Makes sense. Seems like thermals go down hill each night? I guess this may vary from spot to spot, season by season, but generally speaking, down at night, up in the morning?

Generally speaking, yes. Obviously wind conditions can change that.

 

[tttoadman]

The high altitude blactail area I frequent also comes with the large wilderness burn areas. I try to setup camp in the timber atleast 1/2 mile in from the burn area.

I agree on the backside of the ridge, but it can suck to find a flat spot to camp on. I dont worry so much about getting close to the top of a ridge. I just make sure I am not also getting too close to a crossover chute.

 

[pnwsteelheader]

I’ve got a pretty good habit of marking bivy setup locations whenever I find them. Figure a 2-500’ climb to a glassing position first thing in the morning isn’t too bad of a thing.

 

[3Esski]

I don't like camping in the drainage I plan to hunt, so backside and down from ridge would be where I would be. I don't see the issue being close to water but I do have a few spots that I have to fill up before I hike back to camp for the evening because my spot dictates that.