Camp essentials

[Stringman]

Ok, A buddy and I are planning a trip to CO for fall elk hunting this year and we have been putting alot of thought into everything. This will be my second trip of the sort, but I still lack a lot of experience. One of the things I have been struggling with is how much food to take and what kind.

We plan to ride in on horses and setup a base camp of sorts perhaps 5-8 miles from the road. What kinds of things do you take into a camp like this. We don't have a canvas tent, but plan to use camping tents and tarps to set up with. What are you're thoughts?

Scott

[osage outlaw]

#1 on my list would be a large caliber handgun.  Aren't there some big predators out there?

[killir duck]

if using a camp stove  make sure you have plenty of fuel (don't ask me how i know that). a good ground pad (i've had good luck with a thermarest), extra wool socks, duct tape (how could anyone survive without it?), and bring a cow call and know how to use it, thier not hard to master and can bring elk in when nothing else will, this past fall i called in 7 elk (1 cow, 3 yearlings, 2 spikes and a nice 5x5) that otherwise would not have come into range without the cow call, just don't get a primos hoochie momma it's crap i think it's just a mean trick that instead of the call saying "come here" in elkish it says "git!". i've used the carlton fighting cow call with alot of success and also another of my own design made from an elk leg. good luck

   Duck

[Stringman]

Good advise. Would you consider it a major mistake to not have a camp stove??
Scott

[killir duck]

no, not if you've got a fire or something of the sort

[Youngboyer2(billyf)]

As far as camp stoves go I have used plenty, on my treks we use them as infrequently as possible, but the jet boil remains my favorite, if you don't want to buy one campfires work fine. For a sleeping mat I go light weight and light cash and use a crazy creek, it is a soft foldable camp chair that I unclip and use as a mat, extra sleeping hat& socks, a good pack cover, and if there are bears just be smart about your smell-ables.
-billy

[iowabow]

Great Threat.....I am the buddy Scott is talking about and any advise would be helpful.

[mullet]

A small camp ax or tomahawk. And a small bottle of alcohol, great for starting a fire when everything is wet.

[Stringman]

As far as food goes, do you tend to live on ramen noodles for a week or do you pack in dried meals? I'm curious what sort of meals people cook. I've been thinkin that it makes sense to dehydrate quite a bit of meat and fruit before the trip to save weight. Any camp favorites that I'm overlooking??

Scott

[Stalkingfox]

A good firesteel.. (Ferrocerrium rod.) from firesteel .com A good sleeping pad, inflatable with baffles.
(Thermarest)  Im a minimalist though. Just my ideas on what I use. with bears comming out of hibernation Everything should be resealble as far as food goes and even then should always be away from where you sleep.... hung high in a tree. 15 -20 feet or more.