Tent set up for third season elk in CO

[BilboBaggins]

Let me preface this by saying I’m a complete noob when it comes to hunting out west and at elevation. I’m considering hunting third season elk in Colorado this year and I’m confused on shelter set ups.

Are hot tents pretty much the norm? If i do bring a hot tent, set up camp, and day hunt, do you bring an emergency shelter when out day hunting?

Or should I just bring an ultralight trekking pole tent and carry it with me at all times to be more mobile/set up camp wherever I happen to be?

 

[AZDC]

Let me preface this by saying I’m a complete noob when it comes to hunting out west and at elevation. I’m considering hunting third season elk in Colorado this year and I’m confused on shelter set ups.

Are hot tents pretty much the norm? If i do bring a hot tent, set up camp, and day hunt, do you bring an emergency shelter when out day hunting?

Or should I just bring an ultralight trekking pole tent and carry it with me at all times to be more mobile/set up camp wherever I happen to be?

I think most run a tent with the ability to run a stove and then typically take a tarp in the day pack like a SO DST in case of emergencies or if bad weather comes on. Either way you’d want to always keep your poles on your to help set up the tarp and honestly just a good idea to run them.

 

[BilboBaggins]

I think most run a tent with the ability to run a stove and then typically take a tarp in the day pack like a SO DST in case of emergencies or if bad weather comes on. Either way you’d want to always keep your poles on your to help set up the tarp and honestly just a good idea to run them.

Yeah I saw a lot of people recommending that. So would you bring your sleeping bag/pad with you every day? And maybe an emergency bivy?

 

[Dennis]

3rd season elk season depending on elevation and location can mean expect snow and cold weather. Most typical tent is outfitter type of tent with wood stove. Smaller tents should be four season tents and are doable just not as comfortable. Yes your pack should contain an emergency bivy and or shelter to survive. The clothing you wear is important for your survival (no cotton etc). In your pack would be a quality puffy coat, pants, mittens and beanie at minimum. Good boots for that season with snow and cold are a good idea. I like pac boots that time of year. Good luck have fun and stay dry.

 

[justinspicher]

Third season weather can be a roll of the dice, especially at elevations above 9k. I’d personally do a base camp and then go day hunt. Carrying camp everywhere all day sounds miserable.

 

[trophyhill]

Third season weather can be a roll of the dice, especially at elevations above 9k. I’d personally do a base camp and then go day hunt. Carrying camp everywhere all day sounds miserable.

Agreed. I had a couple good days 3rd season deer hunt a couple years ago, then a blizzard hit and I was glad I had the stove in the teepee

 

[tracker12]

I have hunted 3ed season in Colorado where the snow was so deep I could not even get to the spot I wanted to hunt. Few years ago I hunted 3rd season and it was 6 degrees the first 3 days. It will be a long week if you dont have a comfortable tent setup with heat. What should be in your pack is another thread all together. Some good ones out there with a little searching.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Truck camp and get a feel for an area. It’s a fools errand to pack in late season with no experience doing that or with an area. You could run into some serious issues instead of just having a good and probably more comfortable hunt

 

[Indian Summer]

3rd season. At elevation.

Base camp! Show up 3 days early and find cut and haul enough wood to camp to heat your tent for the week. I’d recommend a wall tent. And you’ll still need your sleeping pad and bag every day. I think you are underestimating the weather in elk country which is serious business. Hope for the best but certainly plan for the worst which can be bad even earlier in the year.

 

[mad_angler]

Let me preface this by saying I’m a complete noob ...

Base camp at your truck. You will be far more mobile and can check out more territory. And camp will be way more comfortable.

Find a decent spot to park and set up camp. Each morning, hike from camp or drive 1-5 miles to another trailhead. Hunt all day and then come back to camp after dark.

But definitely carry enough to survive a night if needed. Note that I just said "survive" not be super warm and comfortable. For me, this is: puffy coat, puffy pants, hat, tarp, emergency bivy, extra food, bullion, firestarter or stove, and something to heat water in. The ability to get and drink hot liquids is one of the best ways to avoid/treat hypothermia.

 

[fracguy]

Plan on getting snowed in, I have a very capable truck, I carry 100' of chain, a big tow strap and 2 come alongs and a set of 4 tire chains, snow shovel and 2 gas cans that are dedicated to my truck only, atv cans are separate. As far as a tent, this is my setup. I can set it up and take it down alone fairly easy. Took an hour to set up and about hour and half to tear down and pack away. I heat with diesel but also have a wood grate for my stove as a back up. I carry enough food for 1.5 times longer than I am planning on being there. Basic survival skills is a must know in my opinion. Mountains are no joke and are very unforgiving, will kill you quick fast and in a hurry. My dad has pics from mid 90s when he hunted crested butte Co in 3rd season, his jeep was a bump in the snow and his buddy's truck can was a bump. Took them almost 3 days to get out from where they were to a plowed road. Have fun up there but stay safe, warm and dry. Hypothermia can sneak in in 50* weather

 

[Back Country Hunter 2]

Get a wall tent

 

[BilboBaggins]

D

Plan on getting snowed in, I have a very capable truck, I carry 100' of chain, a big tow strap and 2 come alongs and a set of 4 tire chains, snow shovel and 2 gas cans that are dedicated to my truck only, atv cans are separate. As far as a tent, this is my setup. I can set it up and take it down alone fairly easy. Took an hour to set up and about hour and half to tear down and pack away. I heat with diesel but also have a wood grate for my stove as a back up. I carry enough food for 1.5 times longer than I am planning on being there. Basic survival skills is a must know in my opinion. Mountains are no joke and are very unforgiving, will kill you quick fast and in a hurry. My dad has pics from mid 90s when he hunted crested butte Co in 3rd season, his jeep was a bump in the snow and his buddy's truck can was a bump. Took them almost 3 days to get out from where they were to a plowed road. Have fun up there but stay safe, warm and dry. Hypothermia can sneak in in 50* weather

Dang awesome setup! I know this might seem crazy but would you consider taking me with you on a hunt to show me the ropes/set up/survival skills. Even if I didn’t hunt myself I would enjoy learning.

 

[Trogon]

Unless you are a fit beast, you will get worn down quick if you try to carry your camp everyday (even a super lite kit). A hot tent of some kind will be MUCH more comfortable and keep you out in the woods longer. But many a fella has done third rifle in a backpack tent. My advice; get a good sleeping bag and pad. Then use what you've got and build up a system that works for you through experience over the years instead of trying to buy all the top end kit right away.

 

[LongWayAround]

Last year would have been a great year to backpack for third season. By the end of the week it was 50° at 10,000', but it started right around 0° with blowing snow...

My partner and I just slept on cots in the back of my truck even though we had a tipi/stove and backpacking tents with us. It's just too nice to move the truck and not have to break camp.

As a first timer, I would definitely plan to base camp and only attempt a spike out situation if you see something that you otherwise don't have time to get to. Example: You've seen a herd feed on a ridge for a couple of days. It's farther than you can get to before morning and farther than you want to walk out in the dark. If the weather is good, you could spike camp within striking distance.

My first couple of rifle seasons I froze my ass off in a cheap kelty tent. I didn't have a good sleeping bag and I didn't know any of the tricks for keeping warm all night. It wasn't comfortable and I woke up to frozen water, but I killed elk. I would suggest working with what you have and figuring out what you actually want.

 

[LongWayAround]

Stove life is pretty nice...

 

[dittoroad]

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