Wyoming Rifle Camping/Cold Weather Advice

[mcseal2]

I prefer to camp also now. I used to hunt from town, but I like sleep. Time spent going to and from town before and after dark cost me to much sleep. The earlier in the season and the longer the daylight the more sleep it cost. When we were in the small towns on that schedule nothing was open but maybe small convenience stores. No restaurant meals during the hours I spent in town. If the town was big enough businesses were open while we were in town the hunting near it probably wasn’t great on public.

We made our supper in a crock pot plugged into a timer I had for my diesel truck at the hotel. I’d cook burger or roast in it overnight and then drain the grease and add other ingredients to cook all day. We had a propane burner we used on the tailgate at night to boil water for noodles or instant potatoes if we needed them.

We decided the only big advantage to town was a hot shower each day. I bought a solar shower we use on longer camping trips in warmer weather and we started camping every hunt. Truck camping meals now are pre-cooked and frozen. We set each nights meal out to thaw that morning. We get water boiling as soon as we get back to camp and warm the meals in one pot while making noodles or whatever on the other side. It saves time for sleep!

There are lots of other reasons to camp in beautiful country rather than sleep in town, but those are some of the logistical ones.

 

[Rich M]

I'd say camping vs hotel is a factor of hunt location, available accommodations, and weather.

I did an antelope hunt out of a campground - hot showers, toilets, laundry room, cell service. We had planned to camp on BLM and found the BLM chocked full of hunters 2 days before season opened, plus with rain headed our way, the BLM roads were already tore up from the early birds getting their camping spots... Wasn't a tough decision and turned out to be the right one.

During a deer hunt, we abandoned camp and headed to town due to subzero weather. Weren't getting much sleep due to the cold and the distance to the hunt area was about the same from the hotel or the camp. Did 6 nights in tent and 2 or 3 nights in hotel.

If the weather is gonna be nice, tenting it is great.

Add some rain or freezing temps and 4 walls (or a well heated tent) starts to seem like a better option. At the least you gotta be able to dry out wet clothes...

 

[Hllovett]

Also planning my first diy antelope hunt in Wyoming this fall. Found a decent ranch with trespass fee to hunt. Wish me luck!

 

[bowhunter307]

OP what unit are you hunting? Let me know and I can give you some advice. Camp vs. motel is going to depend on where in the state you are.

Wind will be your biggest factor. In October it can be 60 degrees or it could be 10 degrees. Wind will be the breaking point for sleeping in a tent, no matter the temps. If hunting in some terrain you can camp strategically. If in the plains, park the truck next to the tent to block the wind.

You'll likely shoot something less than a mile from the road unless you have some crazy urge to walk into the middle of nowhere. Which won't be necessary.

Bring a cooler with some ice in it. Quarter or bone out immediately. Don't be one of those idiots who throws a gutted out speedgoat in the bed of your truck and then drive all day on dusty hot roads and complain that antelope is "bad meat".

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

 

[brad407210]

When factoring in weather conditions in late October remember that every 3,000' of elevation you go up drops the temp about 10 degrees, when you hear about October snow drifts a lot of the hunts are at higher elk/deer elevations. Down at antelope elevations the weather shouldn't be unbearable unless a storm hits. I've camped in backpacking tents without stoves well below freezing and you can stay comfortable as long as you stay dry which shouldn't be a big deal on a truck hunt. If you want to avoid buying new gear a pop up hub style ground blind with a small propane heater assuming you know someone that has one you can borrow makes a nice place to cook dinner and warm up before crawling into an unheated tent to sleep. If you're new to driving out there a good general rule is when there's a chance of rain or snow at night get back to a gravel road to spend the night, a lot of problems for new (and experienced) hunters from a vehicle standpoint involve driving back into a rutted 2 track when it's dry then trying to leave after it rains or snows. Play it safe from that standpoint and if in doubt bring a mountain bike to cover more ground, these actually work well in places where a road has a wash out you can't drive across, but carry a bike past it and then you can ride a couple miles on an old road and explore more country.

 

[EJFS]

I think the biggest challenge when camping in cold weather in a backpacking tent is keeping things dry. If the temps are below freezing for an extended time, condensation can build up over a few days in your layers and sleeping bag. If it warms up mid day take some time to dry things out. It will go a long way to keeping you comfortable for the whole week.

 

[Rich M]

When factoring in weather conditions in late October remember that every 3,000' of elevation you go up drops the temp about 10 degrees, when you hear about October snow drifts a lot of the hunts are at higher elk/deer elevations. Down at antelope elevations the weather shouldn't be unbearable unless a storm hits. I've camped in backpacking tents without stoves well below freezing and you can stay comfortable as long as you stay dry which shouldn't be a big deal on a truck hunt. If you want to avoid buying new gear a pop up hub style ground blind with a small propane heater assuming you know someone that has one you can borrow makes a nice place to cook dinner and warm up before crawling into an unheated tent to sleep. If you're new to driving out there a good general rule is when there's a chance of rain or snow at night get back to a gravel road to spend the night, a lot of problems for new (and experienced) hunters from a vehicle standpoint involve driving back into a rutted 2 track when it's dry then trying to leave after it rains or snows. Play it safe from that standpoint and if in doubt bring a mountain bike to cover more ground, these actually work well in places where a road has a wash out you can't drive across, but carry a bike past it and then you can ride a couple miles on an old road and explore more country.

Excellent post.

I wanted to add that if you are back in with the clay roads being slippery slick and it is gonna freeze that night, set up camp and wait for the night to freeze them, then drive out early am on the frozen roads. Just easier on your nerves and the rig.

 

[bowhunter307]

Excellent post.

I wanted to add that if you get stuck back in with the clay roads being slippery slick and it is gonna freeze that night, set up camp and wait for the night to freeze them, then drive out early am on the frozen roads. Just easier on your nerves and the rig.

Agreed. And if you get stuck in the clay and then it freezes, you're in big trouble.

Sent from my GM1917 using Tapatalk

 

[Jimss]

I'm as snug as a bug in the back of my truck with topper. It's nice not having to drive back and forth to a shady, smokey hotel room each day. It's also nice camping out where you happen to end up at the end of a long day. Just be prepared for what ever conditions exist. If conditions are super bad it's always possible to get a hotel room and clean up.

 

[Werty]

I hunt solo a lot, I live in SW Montana. I run and gun out if my truck all the time. I used to set up tents. I'm over it, hearing the wind flap your tent will drive you absolutely crazy. Being mobile is the key. If you have any questions pm me. I haven't killed a lot of game, but I can hold my own. Good luck

 

[5MilesBack]

I won't hunt past September without a shelter with a stove. That's a line I won't cross ever again........I hate being cold.

 

[gadrahthaar]

Lots of good tips here already. You are on the right track with regards to keeping warm but the comments about wind are accurate - I've stuck with a tent the last three years in SW WY and have always found a valley to mitigate that, but a truck bed topper is probably smart. Don't forget a shotgun or 22, lots of rabbits and hares, and maybe some birds depending where you go.

Some things that I didn't thing about my first year:
-If its below freezing at night and warm in the sun during the day, two coolers will make it easier to keep food/meat cold and drinking water liquid.
-Lots of water. I keep 15+ gallons in the truck for the dogs, you don't need that much but plan ahead.
-I like cooking on a grill grate or cast iron over the camp fire, but a jetboil for quick hot tea* is a great amenity (i prefer coffee but have been disappointed with camping options so find myself turning to tea for caffeine and even decaf at night for something warm).

 

[gadrahthaar]

Even a cheap 3 season tent when lined out will hold up to snow and wind, but its definitely not ideal. It was 3F that night and we were fine - but dog heat is a good cheat.

 

[mcseal2]

Especially when truck camping a rechargeable USB desk fan can help a lot with tent condensation. I bought one to help me get some air and sleep when camping in 100 degree heat on the river fishing. When truck camping for hunts I leave it on in the tent during the day while I’m gone if I need to dry condensation. The air movement helps.

I find other uses too if I have it along. It works awesome to blow on a fire to get damp wood burning well. It can blow duat off optic lenses. During the night it can charge in the truck.

 

[Rich M]

Especially when truck camping a rechargeable USB desk fan can help a lot with tent condensation. I bought one to help me get some air and sleep when camping in 100 degree heat on the river fishing. When truck camping for hunts I leave it on in the tent during the day while I’m gone if I need to dry condensation. The air movement helps.

I find other uses too if I have it along. It works awesome to blow on a fire to get damp wood burning well. It can blow duat off optic lenses. During the night it can charge in the truck.

Great suggestion. We use battery powered fans when camping a lot but I'm in FL.

Another thing that helps with a camp fire is one of those battery powered air pumps for air mattresses. They put out a lot of air and can get damp wood burning well.

 

[Mosster47]

The best thing I've ever done is put a shell in my truck and a pad that goes over the bed of my truck.

Add that with a inflated pad and a 5 degree bag and you'll be fine in any weather.

As long as you're on Federal land you can park and sleep anywhere. A lot of state's don't allow camping on trust and WMA land.

 

[Jsunkler]

My group and I went back n forth on whether to camp or get two hotel rooms for this falls antelope hunt. I found what I think is the best option, Air BnB. My group is renting a 4 bedroom home off the website for $160 a night for a week ($280 per man). The house in smack in the middle of our unit, we can cook all of our own meals, everyone has a bed, multiple bathrooms in the house so guys can get showers whenever, all of our gear will be secure when we are away hunting (I dont trust hotel staff / people like to look into the beds of trucks with caps in hotels), we are away from town so no late night mischief, and we are together as a group + have communal space vs hanging out in the hotel room in the evening.

I went this route because its the first western trip for a few in my group and for the amount it would cost us to outfit the group with good sleeping bags, pads, and cots its easier/cheaper to just get the house.

 

[JDM57]

My group has chose the motel/house option both times we have gone. Sure nice to set up the kitchen table to process meat at night, cook our meals and get a hot shower. Sure worked well for us.

 

[NW307]

If you've got where you are hunting and that there is enough access figured out I'd say your main concerns would be roads and wind. If rain/snow is forecasted I would beat feet out of there unless you're camped next to pavement. Wind will always be a factor unless you really luck out with weather. All but the best 4 season tents will get beat down by a good blow. A solid windbreak or your vehicle are definitely smart moves.

 

[TxxAgg]

Fellow Texan here. We went for the first time in October. It's a blast.

Regarding the STRONG wind, read up on how much it can push a bullet at 200+ yds.