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Out of state DIY hunts

Davis21

Davis21

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2018
Messages
362
Thinking about expanding my boundaries and tackle some new ground outside my home turf. Going to start small and hit neighboring states first. For those of you that have done it, how are you handling the camping situation? Tent? Truck, hotel? Looking for best way to stay mobile, comfortable, and not too expensive....any advice on camping methods, supplies, equipment from folks that’s been there and done that would be much appreciated
 
I've done tent, truck, hotel, backpack. It entirely depends on your value system.

I love camping. I obviously love hunting. I don't particularly like combining the two. Essentially the work and preparation required ends up detracting from both experiences imo. I prefer a hotel/cabin when feasible. Easier to stay organized. Easier to deal with bad weather. Shower and ability to dry out wet gear are worth it to me. I've never done the camper/trailer deal, that seems like a good best of both worlds.

Truck camping can not suck too bad especially in good weather. Camping in wet weather to me, really sucks. Backpack hunting is for the birds unless you absolutely have to in order to successfully hunt what you're after. In that case do what you gotta do and embrace the suck. But I see no need to embrace suck for a boy scout badge or insta likes, ya know?
 
cb750 said:
Check this out. It's pretty luxurious, not sure what you are starting with.
https://saddlehunter.com/community/...ile-hunting-trailer-set-up.14982/#post-218002

Also I believe Mark Kenyon from Wired to Hunt has a YouTube video of an out of state hunt he did last year where he breaks down his set up a bit. Not nearly as fancy as the above.
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Thanks for info, I’ve got the hunting gear that I need, just didn’t know if I needed anything in particular for out state. I think the sleeping situation would be the only thing I need to build on. I’ll check out marks video. I been following his podcast for several years
 
elk yinzer said:
I've done tent, truck, hotel, backpack. It entirely depends on your value system.

I love camping. I obviously love hunting. I don't particularly like combining the two. Essentially the work and preparation required ends up detracting from both experiences imo. I prefer a hotel/cabin when feasible. Easier to stay organized. Easier to deal with bad weather. Shower and ability to dry out wet gear are worth it to me. I've never done the camper/trailer deal, that seems like a good best of both worlds.

Truck camping can not suck too bad especially in good weather. Camping in wet weather to me, really sucks. Backpack hunting is for the birds unless you absolutely have to in order to successfully hunt what you're after. In that case do what you gotta do and embrace the suck. But I see no need to embrace suck for a boy scout badge or insta likes, ya know?
Click to expand...
My thoughts exactly I’m not combining the two. I want to enjoy the hunt and not be sore and miserable from a crappy night sleep. But trying to save money where able. Thanks for advice!
 
elk yinzer said:
I love camping. I obviously love hunting. I don't particularly like combining the two. Essentially the work and preparation required ends up detracting from both experiences imo. I prefer a hotel/cabin when feasible. Easier to stay organized. Easier to deal with bad weather. Shower and ability to dry out wet gear are worth it to me. I've never done the camper/trailer deal, that seems like a good best of both worlds.
Click to expand...

Agree with this a lot.

Some ways to cut down hotel costs are 1) airbnb and 2) find a mom & pop hotel.
 
elk yinzer said:
I've done tent, truck, hotel, backpack. It entirely depends on your value system.

I love camping. I obviously love hunting. I don't particularly like combining the two. Essentially the work and preparation required ends up detracting from both experiences imo. I prefer a hotel/cabin when feasible. Easier to stay organized. Easier to deal with bad weather. Shower and ability to dry out wet gear are worth it to me. I've never done the camper/trailer deal, that seems like a good best of both worlds.

Truck camping can not suck too bad especially in good weather. Camping in wet weather to me, really sucks. Backpack hunting is for the birds unless you absolutely have to in order to successfully hunt what you're after. In that case do what you gotta do and embrace the suck. But I see no need to embrace suck for a boy scout badge or insta likes, ya know?
Click to expand...
I couldn't agree more.

I much prefer a warm shower and a good night's sleep in a hotel or cabin. I always pick cheap hotels and split the cost with a buddy or 2. It doesn't end up costing that much and you save a bunch of headaches.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 
It's really not complicated at all. Just take the basics and go. I have done hotels, campers, and backpacking. Just depends on the hunt. Myself I LOVE backpack hunting because for some sick reason I like the struggle and the "type 2" fun aspect of it. But doing that requires some pretty specialized gear. The easiest way to go is a cheap hotel. All you will need is your normal hunting gear and a few changes of clothes and that's about it. A small cooler with some lunch meat and snacks will get you by for not much $$. It can be intimidating at first but it's a lot of fun to hunt new areas you've never been! Check out The Pinhoti project on youtube and watch some of the vids where Dave shows his mobile truck set up. Very simply and effective and might give you some ideas.
 
I will be doing the camping this year. With saying that we are staying at a campsite with power at the camp site and showers within 100yrds. We went the cheap but best way for us. I also have a very good tent and have been in multiple storms with now problem at all. So I can get back to you later and let you know how it goes but for now I’m stoked. I’m getting to go out of state hunt for a class of deer I’ll never find in my state. Take one of my closet hunting buddies with me. It’s gonna be a great time no matter what we kill!
 
Cript2014 said:
I will be doing the camping this year. With saying that we are staying at a campsite with power at the camp site and showers within 100yrds. We went the cheap but best way for us. I also have a very good tent and have been in multiple storms with now problem at all. So I can get back to you later and let you know how it goes but for now I’m stoked. I’m getting to go out of state hunt for a class of deer I’ll never find in my state. Take one of my closet hunting buddies with me. It’s gonna be a great time no matter what we kill!
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That's the way to do it right there! Sounds awesome
 
My opinion, camping is fine if at a place with utilities (power,water, shower, toilets), I have camped down into the high 20’s and been comfy. This is generally a 10-12 day hunt so money is a factor, otherwise a hotel obviously cuts down on a lot of supplies you need.

For my big hunt I have a 10x14 tent for myself, fold out table set up, room for a large cooler with food, microwave, roomy enough for a couple bins of hunting clothes, bow case, etc., twin blow up mattress, electric space heater.

That’s about it, usually a few of us with similar set ups, then we put a pup op canopy between us all as a hang out, eating spot.

Needing utilities to camp limits the areas you can hunt. I hunt a few areas that I have to get a hotel.

Decide on the areas you want to try to hunt then determine your lodging needs.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Cheap hotel, but not opposed to camping if can take a shower and stay warm I am good to go. Good Luck
 
elk yinzer said:
I've done tent, truck, hotel, backpack. It entirely depends on your value system.

I love camping. I obviously love hunting. I don't particularly like combining the two. Essentially the work and preparation required ends up detracting from both experiences imo. I prefer a hotel/cabin when feasible. Easier to stay organized. Easier to deal with bad weather. Shower and ability to dry out wet gear are worth it to me. I've never done the camper/trailer deal, that seems like a good best of both worlds.

Truck camping can not suck too bad especially in good weather. Camping in wet weather to me, really sucks. Backpack hunting is for the birds unless you absolutely have to in order to successfully hunt what you're after. In that case do what you gotta do and embrace the suck. But I see no need to embrace suck for a boy scout badge or insta likes, ya know?
Click to expand...

Yes sir, I also love to camp, and I love to hunt. But not at the same time.
Odor reduction is critical in order for me to enjoy a hunt. I need to shower every day, and sometimes even twice a day so I really want a room with a shower.
But motel rooms often reek of ??, so an O3 unit is standard equipment. I deodorize the room with O3 and I also use it to deodorize gear on longer trips away from home. Its difficult to find an odorless washing machine and dryer when away from home. Most machines have that god awful stench of perfumed laundry products. I refuse to wash anything is a nasty smelling washer/dryer.
Traveling with a fresh, complete set of clothes for each day of a 10-14 day hunt is too much stuff, in too many tubs, so worn clothes often get an O3 treatment later in the hunt when I'm running short on fresh layers, or gloves, hats, etc.
A 2 week hunt can become grueling. I love the effort but all day hunts are sometimes rough and doing it every day requires a hot shower, a comfy bed, and a place to hang stuff to dry out. With a room, I will sleep better and have more energy to hunt.

As far as room availability goes, it ain't always easy to find lodging that's reasonably close to where you want to hunt. Driving 50 mile round trips everyday to and from the room to the woods gets old and expensive for fuel. And its time consuming, too.
And if it snows, road conditions can make for a treacherous drive. A room needs to be fairly close to where you hunt.
Airbnb and vrbo are useful but sometimes there just isn't anything close to where you hunt.
In that case, you need to get a little creative. This site is a good place to find leads on unadvertised places to stay.
Last year I reached out to a member here and asked if he knew anyone in the area wher I planned to hunt that may have a room to rent. He graciously invited me to stay in his home. Wow, the guys on here are great, aren't they?
Turned out that I filled my NR Ohio tag before I needed lodging in his area so I didn't accept his generous offer. Ask around for help. You never know what it could bring.
 
all my hunts are out of state hunts since my lease is across the border - so I have been doing cheap motel program for last 4 years - it's just a notch above sketchy - but its 20 minutes from the property has a shower, half decent bed and a TV. Have to bring my own pillow and some nights the hookers are getting picked up pretty late and making the loudest f'in racket you can imagine. The owner has done a pretty good job running off the tramps - but not 100%. The motel down the road is full of drug dealers plus the 2 bit ho's. We have gotten to a point where they know us by name and know what room we like and to not spray the room with scents before we get there. But at $65 a night plus restaurants it adds up quick - and a "name brand" hotel is $100 or more. The town is near a NASCAR track so when the race is in town, rates go bananas. Thus the Trailer Rehab Project I have been posting about. I'll recover my money in 2 seasons worst case. Camping while hunting just isn't something I have an itching to do - until I go west and chase a mulie or elk. I camp during the summer on several fly-fishing trips - just got back from 2 of them - and I love that, but we stay at a campground with power and hot showers. Either way - you'll figure it out and adjust in subsequent years - just keep the fun element in it. Good luck!
 
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