Would you bring a tarp ?

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Jun 21, 2021
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Hey guys planning a September elk hunting trip for next year in Montana. My question is would a guy bring a light weight tarp to set up over his tent just in case bad weather moves in ? We’ll be hunting out of our packs. Also if a tarp is needed what one would you suggest .


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Zach Herold

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Hey guys planning a September elk hunting trip for next year in Montana. My question is would a guy bring a light weight tarp to set up over his tent just in case bad weather moves in ? We’ll be hunting out of our packs. Also if a tarp is needed what one would you suggest .


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What tent do you have? Does it have a rain fly?

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Clintopher

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I’ll be curious to see the opinions on this. I have zero experience but it seems to me the weight penalties would be totally worth it to have a 10x10 tarp.
 

Maverick1

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I would use the tarp and leave the tent at home for a September elk hunt.

I see plenty of people use a tarp with a tent, tent only, and a tarp only.
 

Dalen88

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i live in southern b.c mostly likey similar to montana and i used a tarp/ bivy combo for the first half of sept last year, only used the bivy one night and the rest slept just in my bag under the tarp, loved it. Got some rain and some wind and it seemed great, will be using again this year untill later sept or oct weather depending. I used the seek outside DST, great tarp and very versitile, there is a good thread on here on the many ways to pitch it.
 
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Greenhorn911
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What tent do you have? Does it have a rain fly?

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Zach I’ve got a big angus fly creek 1 it does have a rain fly with it . Sometimes as we all know it’s just not enough


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EastMT

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I called Borah tarps and he added some tie outs to one of his small tarps for no charge, weighs half a pound, reasonable price. I always carry it, in case of tent failure, bear tear up my tent while out, get hurt while out for the day etc, it’s cheap/light ins. Plus if you get socked in with bad fog/weather it’s nice to get out of the tent a bit as well.
 
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Greenhorn911
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I called Borah tarps and he added some tie outs to one of his small tarps for no charge, weighs half a pound, reasonable price. I always carry it, in case of tent failure, bear tear up my tent while out, get hurt while out for the day etc, it’s cheap/light ins. Plus if you get socked in with bad fog/weather it’s nice to get out of the tent a bit as well.

That’s kind of what I was thinking of bringing one for I’m just not familiar with the weather in Montana at that time of year. I know where I’m from we can get really bad rain storms that role through at that time of year they may last for 3-4 days sometimes .


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Zach Herold

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Zach I’ve got a big angus fly creek 1 it does have a rain fly with it . Sometimes as we all know it’s just not enough


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Man I think you'll be completely fine. I took just a rain fly in several times and one time it snowed almost 14" and I was still good.

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Greenhorn911
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Thanks for the responses guys good suggestions here making my decision much easier.


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4rcgoat

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I carry a kifaru sheep tarp with me at all times,works great for glassing in some shade,cover for heavy rains,and an emergency shelter if things go south.
 

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I carry a kifaru sheep tarp with me at all times,works great for glassing in some shade,cover for heavy rains,and an emergency shelter if things go south.

Agreed. I like having a small tarp for a place to cook/eat outside of the tent when we get those mid day thunderstorms in September.

If I thought the rain fly on my tent wasn’t enough, I’d retire it and buy a new one. BA makes good tents. It’s enough as a stand alone.


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Apr 5, 2015
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Big fan of the week outside DST. It is a great camp tarp to cover your cooking and lounging are in rain. It is also a great shelter with the right pitch. Have used mine with and without a tent.

for solo, i favor a dyneema tarp and a geound cloth combo that weigh in under a pound.
 

CJF

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I have 2 tarps and ALWAYS have one with me.

If its early season, I have the bigger one and it serves as my primary shelter, quick rain shelter, and shade if needed. (we slept under it last weekend and the low was 34 with several rain/grapple storms during the night and was just fine)

If its later season then I have the small one for emergency shelter or a quick storm shelter. I'd remove several other items before giving up my tarp.
 
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Greenhorn911
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Jun 21, 2021
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We’ll looks like I’m in the market for a tarp it just makes sense . Thanks guys for the responses .


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*zap*

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N/E Kansas

^this is a very good 10x10 silnylon flat tarp. Plenty of guy outs and line locks....a bit pricey but should last a guy for many years. 19 ounces with all the lines and line locs.
 
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My GoLite poncho is always in my pack with a set of stakes, cordage and python straps. It pulls double duty as a set of rain gear and as a makeshift shelter.
 
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