Camping at Basecamp vs Backcountry

[amedsker]

I’ve been hunting in the backcountry for a few years now and I’ve been trying to decide how I want to upgrade/change my tent setup. What are everyone’s thoughts on having a nice backcountry tent setup vs a basecamp wall tent with all the comforts and room that come with that? If I’m going no more than 6 ish miles into the backcountry, does it make more sense to be more comfortable and sleep better in a basecamp wall tent and hike everyday? Or be less comfortable and not sleep as well in the backcountry?

 

[mad_angler]

This is a common question with lots of opinions... the answer is really "it depends"...

Base camp: If you are learning an area, I strongly believe that a road-based base camp is a better option. Every morning, you can hike in a new direction. or you can drive your truck 1-10 miles and check out new areas. You will definitely cover more ground and you will have a more comfortable camp

Spike camp: If you have a large area that you know holds elk, you might want a spike camp. This is a fairly comfortable camp that you hike in, set up, and use as a base of operation. I have a few areas that I go spike in for a night or two.

Backpack camp: This is where you wear your camp on your back all day, everyday. In the evening, you stop when it gets dark and set up camp. In the morning, you tear it down and go hunting. This gives ultimate freedom. Some will say that it also gives you ultimate mobility. But i would argue that you are slightly less mobile because it is not easy to carry another 10-20 lbs on your back...


My suggestion is to start with a road-based base camp. But have the gear for a spike camp. If you find a good spot, go spike in for a few nights.

 

[WCT3]

I agree that it really depends but I will add 6 miles is a long way in from a basecamp. Anything more than 3-4 miles depending on terrain and I like to spike out for at least a night. With a lightweight camp set up it's really not that much heavier than day hunt gear and saves a lot of time hiking in and out every day.

 

[mtnbound]

I’ve been hunting in the backcountry for a few years now and I’ve been trying to decide how I want to upgrade/change my tent setup. What are everyone’s thoughts on having a nice backcountry tent setup vs a basecamp wall tent with all the comforts and room that come with that? If I’m going no more than 6 ish miles into the backcountry, does it make more sense to be more comfortable and sleep better in a basecamp wall tent and hike everyday? Or be less comfortable and not sleep as well in the backcountry?

It does depend, but my hunting plan typically starts with a base camp, and I may use my motorcycle or ATV, or walk from there to hunting areas I have planned. I always have a tarp and bivy with me for a quick overnight stay if something comes up.
If, while hunting from base camp, I decide to do a spike or backpack hunt for a few days, I throw in my backpack tent, sleep system, and enough food for however long I plan to go for in my pack, and after so many days, I return to base camp.
Then there are times when my hunt plan is to just backpack hunt for a few days in an area, and if necessary, I relocate to another planned area and do the same for a few more days.
I like to be mobile and adjust my hunt plan based on what the animals are doing and where they are.

 

[Brendan]

Honest answer is I always have all three options ready to go. But I think spending money on a tricked out (Big and Heavy) base camp is the last priority.

Get your Spike Camp and Backpack Camp dialed. You can always throw up a cheap tent, tarp, small table and chair next to the truck and have all your backup gear stored there or even sleep in the truck. As time and money allows then expand on the base camp. But, don't let it get to a point where your base camp gets so big that it keeps your from moving if/when you need to. The goal isn't (at least not for me) to set up and have fun in camp, it's a successful hunting trip.

Maybe the one asterisk to that for me is if it's late season, cold, snowy, and dark early. Then I want something more substantial that I can get back to at the end of the day - stay warm and dry out. At least a Kodiak Canvas with a Stove Jack and a Nu-Way, maybe a wall tent. I had one year where the weather went much colder and snowier than I was expected and I had to pop smoke and stay in a motel. Have since updated the cold-weather base camp because of that.

 

[5MilesBack]

I like versatility and comfort, so I always have my wall tent base camp.......but I also have my spike/backpack setup ready to go as well. It just depends on where I'm hunting. Some places I don't need to go deep and some places I just WANT to go deep (exploring).

 

[Skerhunter]

If you can get in/out and still get a some decent sleep (6+ hours) base camp is better. Usually get better sleep but the big difference for me is better food. Also if your trips are longer than 3-4 days spiking out/backpacking burns ppl out pretty quick.

 

[insanelupus]

With pressure, prevalence of road systems (closed and open) and the fickle nature of elk combined with low desity populations of elk (compared to elsewhere) in my area, I value the ability to be mobile daily.

If I KNEW elk were 5 miles back, huntable, and consistently remained in that area, sure, I'd go in and camp for several days.

Same with a basecamp with the same conditions I could hub off of on daily hunts.

As it is, I tend to stick and move. Some buils might not quite be ready, so I come back in a few days. Some mornings, I find somewhere to glass at the truck and spot bulls/herds as they bed. Other days, I probe multiple miles back and may come back the next day with camp. And some I might be 10-40 miles away one day to the next.

All depends on the conditions (weather, hunter pressure, grass) and the elk for me.

Sleep in the truck like an elk hunting bum, ready to pack in if the juice is worth the squeeze and cover miles as needed until the tag is filled or time runs out.