For years, our moose hunt camp was at one of the founding member's cottage. Hot showers, full kitchen, TV, even a pool table at one point. But a few years back he sold the place, so we started renting a small island with a cabin and shed on it. The cabin is tiny, so we let the really old guys (as opposed to the slightly old guys like me
) sleep in there. Basically it only sleeps 2, 3 if someone wants to use the small couch, but it's tight.
So some of us set up tents. For last year I picked up a Cabelas Instinct 4-season guide tent and some Disc-O-Bed stacking/bunkbed cots to save on floor space. I think my kid and I were more comfortable in the tent than the guys in the cabin or shed! Had a Mr Heater propane heater, but it never got cold enough to need it. Can't use a camper, since the island is water access only, so we just hauled in all our gear in boats, though we did rent a big pontoon boat from the marina to bring the bulk of the stuff in with one trip.
Prior to the moose hunt, a buddy and I went into our hunting area (Crown Land) to do some scouting, archery hunting (deer/bear) and test out the new camp gear. The heavens opened up every night and poured, but we were nice and dry in the tent and slept very comfortably on the cots. Used my ATV and a small trailer to haul in the 10km or so into the bush on logging trails to the core of our hunting area, so we didn't pack in. The tent and cots would be way to heavy to try and pack in anyway. We had an absolute blast....so this year, I'm planning to go and camp there again for the whole moose archery week, which is a few weeks before the gun hunt. Will have my new saddle setup with me this year too.
Here is a pic of the tent/cots:
Really comfortable and spacious for two hunters with all the gear because of the bunk bed system.
Here is a pic of how we hauled in:
And the view across the beaver pond on the far side of the campsite:
Cost? Not including the gear and a bit 'o gas for the ATV, there was no cost for the camping since it was Crown Land way back in the bush up north.
Can't wait...really looking forward to a back country camping hunt trip this year, even if it's not a "pack in" trip.