To bivy or not to bivy

[Deli]

I'm likely to draw a Sept. CO muzzleloader tag for elk. I've went on this hunt before using a Durston X-mid2 solid which I love, but struggled finding flat enough places to pitch. Because of this, we decided once we found a spot, we would have a base camp and just hunt that area for a few days which left us less mobile and ultimately unsuccessful. I'd like to be able to be more mobile and hunt with camp on my back, so I'm considering other shelter options. I already have a DST tarp and could buy a bivy like the Exo guys recommend. Pro's would be keeping sleep system all in one making setup and breakdown super easy and can also use on winter hunts for extra warmth and Cons being I'm not used to sleeping this way and worried about quality of sleep during the hunt. Otherwise considering just getting a smaller footprint one person tent but setup and breakdown is not as easy or flexible. Either way I'll bring the X-mid2 as a backup in truck.

 

[va_to_co]

Personal preference, I suppose. I don't have experience with a bivy, because I've always felt like I'd be cramped and very condensation-prone. But I guess it works well for some!

 

[Poser]

This is of course highly dependent upon personal preference, but I do find the bivy sack + tarp tent combo to be the most versatile for hunting in areas where finding a flat spot no larger than a mule deer bed is about all you are going to get. For my preferences, setting up a flat tarp like the DST is too time consuming as it can require some engineering. I tend to favor more minimalists tarp tents and then the bivy sack leaves you the option to just bivy out when its more conductive to the situation and conditions allow for it. Those high country mule deer beds that are 3 square feet of a flat pushed up against a pine or fur tree sure don't make for the most comfortable night's worth of sleep as you'll often have to maintain a little bit of body tension to stay put, but you often are just not going to be able to set up a conventional tent in those spots.

I do it every year. some years, its been quite a few nights -one regular glassing spots I have bivied out at probably 10 nights over the years requires sleeping right on the edge of a cliff where I built a little rock retention wall to keep me from rolling off it. Its definitely not for everyone. You might also consider a hammock.

 

[Deli]

This is of course highly dependent upon personal preference, but I do find the bivy sack + tarp tent combo to be the most versatile for hunting in areas where finding a flat spot no larger than a mule deer bed is about all you are going to get. For my preferences, setting up a flat tarp like the DST is too time consuming as it can require some engineering. I tend to favor more minimalists tarp tents and then the bivy sack leaves you the option to just bivy out when its more conductive to the situation and conditions allow for it. Those high country mule deer beds that are 3 square feet of a flat pushed up against a pine or fur tree sure don't make for the most comfortable night's worth of sleep as you'll often have to maintain a little bit of body tension to stay put, but you often are just not going to be able to set up a conventional tent in those spots.

I do it every year. some years, its been quite a few nights -one regular glassing spots I have bivied out at probably 10 nights over the years requires sleeping right on the edge of a cliff where I built a little rock retention wall to keep me from rolling off it. Its definitely not for everyone. You might also consider a hammock.

Do you have an example of a minimalist tarp tent? I considered just bringing my rainfly of the xmid instead of the flat tarp. It'll still be a pain to pitch, but at least it didn't need to be perfect if I'm in the bivy and just need coverage.

 

[GunsAreFun]

We’ve used my sleep system tarp (Warbonnet Ground Tarp) probably at least half the days the last five years in CO or NM in September to ride out storms.

It pitches faster than a tent and can hold four people during a storm (sleep 2-3). It’s also not a problem to pitch in a storm or put away wet because you don’t have to worry about the tub getting wet.

There is definitely a sense of security or comfort from a tent (though it’s mostly a false sense). But the practicality of a tarp outweighs that by far to me.

 

[Poser]

Do you have an example of a minimalist tarp tent? I considered just bringing my rainfly of the xmid instead of the flat tarp. It'll still be a pain to pitch, but at least it didn't need to be perfect if I'm in the bivy and just need coverage.

You could consider a single pole design such as this: https://zpacks.com/products/hexamid-solo-tent
These styles can work well when forced into a tight spot. You could also take a shelter such as the SO Eolus, a two pole design and often make them work in non optimal surfaces. And this is not to say that the DST may not be a good option, because it definitely offers maximum versatility for setting up a shade tent for glassing or keeping sun off a carcass and working in a variety of circumstances. You'll just need to be well rehearsed in setting it up in a variety of configurations.

 

[PathFinder]

If the hunt will not take place above treeline, and no significant weather, then the tarp/bivy combo. If either of those scenarios are likely, then more of a lightweight one person tent is worth taking.

 

[arlenmyles]

This year I am going to run a borah bivy long wide side chest zip on my gossamer gear groundmat that I fold up and stow in a cordura cover. It doubles as a sit pad. The shelter Im going to bring is the new seek outside brightwater trekking pole tent. Should be super light, easy to set up, runs on one trekking pole and will have plenty of ventilation for condensation. The brightwater can aslo be set up and run as a sun shade/light rain protection for glassing.

 

[Deli]

I think I'm going to get the bivy either way just to have as an option and test out. I can also use it to keep all my stuff organized and add some warmth when we use a tipi/wall tent for winter hunts. Worst case scenario is I can always sell it if I hate it. For lightweight shelter, I'm debating between a lunar solo and tarptent notch (both are currently on sale) or trying a semi/free standing shelter like a xdome 1P or tarptent rainbow. I have a bit of analysis by paralysis so any insight or reviews on these would be much appreciated.

 

[BBob]

tarptent notch

FWIW I use a Notch Li fly only for early archery hunts. I also use an MLD superlight bivy with the full mesh face with it but plenty of people I know just use a tarp, no bivy during September. I’m very bug averse which is mainly the reason for my use of a bivy, I just sleep better with one.

 

[Rich M]

What about a hammock system?

 

[Deli]

FWIW I use a Notch Li fly only for early archery hunts. I also use an MLD superlight bivy with the full mesh face with it but plenty of people I know just use a tarp, no bivy during September. I’m very bug averse which is mainly the reason for my use of a bivy, I just sleep better with one.

How easy is it to pitch in tight spots? Could it fit 2 guys under it as a glassing tarp if a storm pops up? Are the sewn in poles a problem while packing everything into your pack? This option looks like it would give me a little more room for gear compared to the lunar solo as well as a bit more headroom.

 

[Deli]

What about a hammock system?

I just don't think I would sleep well in this system. I toss and turn a lot and know I wouldn't be able to fall into a deep sleep in a hammock.

 

[DugLyfe]

I like the lightweight 1 person tent idea. Incase of weather that pops up. I was hammock camping in NH and rain came through had to run for the ranger outpost that had a porch. Ran into 4 other people on the porch without rain flies. haha

 

[BBob]

How easy is it to pitch in tight spots? Could it fit 2 guys under it as a glassing tarp if a storm pops up? Are the sewn in poles a problem while packing everything into your pack? This option looks like it would give me a little more room for gear compared to the lunar solo as well as a bit more headroom.

Easyish in tight spots. I've put it right up against a tree on one side lashing the top guyline around the tree and just tucked that sides door down vertically. It has more room than I've ever needed solo. It could possibly work as a glassing tarp for two but I've never done it. IMO a glassing tarp is overrated. In all of my years that use has seldom cropped up, your mileage may vary though. Are you asking about the short supports on the ends of the fly? If so no, they're so short the whole thing fits in the pack easily and it's super compact.

I've posted this info and a picture or two before on this forum. You could search for it.

 

[Schmoops]

Has anyone used Yama Mountain Gear shelters before?