In my hunting crew, we have a varied set of individuals who come from different backgrounds with wildly different experiences. We have friends who spend all year hunting, and others who do more fishing than hunting, but they also go out on annual big game trips.
Despite their differences, they have core commonalities: they are avid outdoorsmen with a deep connection to working hard to fill the freezer, and boy howdy — do they love to argue.
They don’t argue in anger; they argue because there are always different perspectives, and I like to think that my crew values the perspectives of others. We learn something from those opinions. Then again, sometimes I know we argue just to poke and prod and tease each other. Maybe we aren’t that magnanimous, after all.
In honor of my crew’s love of the debate, I started a fire at camp, threw some tunes on, and hopped up on my tailgate to hear some opinions, have some laughs, and do a little teasing. For the purposes of this article, and to protect the (mostly) innocent, I’ll call these guys by some loving nicknames: Artist, Guide, Builder, Captain, Explorer. These five guys are my favorite people to spend time with in the woods. Let’s see what they have to say.
Unspoken Rules Everyone Breaks
Hunting has some unwritten rules that we never admit to breaking, but let’s be honest, we all do. What are the unspoken rules that you, or our crew, find ourselves guilty of breaking?
Artist
The thing we are all guilty of doing at hunt camp is talking up a big game and then having to deliver the next morning. Some are able to rally in the morning, while for others, it can take a few days to get the hang of it.
Our crew is pretty good at backing up our big talk around the campfire, but it’s always funny to see how we universally say one thing around the fire, and then do another thing the next morning.
Guide
This is tough because I’m usually trying not to break the unwritten rules — I spend so much time in the field — and have found that I experience more success when I do things right. The one that comes to mind, though, and I’m always reminding myself, is not to skyline when you are hunting. Don’t make yourself this big flag on the visual skyline.
You might think, Oh, if I hike up the top of the ridge, I can see both sides. But that also means everything on both sides can see you, too.
Builder
Sleeping in. We used to be so hardcore about shooting time in the morning, but this year, we were so whooped from dragging out, we ended up sleeping in most mornings.
Captain
Being scent-conscious. We find ourselves washing gear in unscented detergent, wearing scent-masking deodorant, and then, oh my God, that camping stove comes out, and we’re all sitting on the side of a hill, eating chicken teriyaki ramen. The camping stove has no rules when it comes to scent protocol.
Explorer
Dumping our garbage in the state park garbage can. Those should be open so the dispersed campers in the area (on public lands, by the way) can drop garbage there.
Gear You Actually Use
We all have our core loadout, or packout, in the truck. What is the gear for a great hunt camp, or a great day in the field that you can’t live without? What is starting to find its way onto your list, but maybe you don’t want to admit? What gear did you start using as you (ahem) got a little older — I mean, more experienced?
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Artist
When I was a kid, I was fascinated with the little nesting dolls — a thing could live within another thing yet be smaller and smaller, all of which retain the same qualities. Then, as a teenager, I always thought how great it would be to have a real bag of holding, not just in my Dungeons and Dragons game.
Now, when I pack out, I try to combine those ideas and get perfectly nested items for my pack. By the third day in the backcountry, even with the same gear, my pack is always better than the last couple of days.
Guide
Binos, baby. If you are hunting the west, there is no way to hunt without optics. If I’m out there looking for critters for three hours, I’m probably spending two of those hours behind glass. But more recently, I’ve leaned into battery-powered heated clothing.
If I’m on a still hunt where you are sitting for hours, those heated vests, socks, and hand warmers are a lifesaver. If you are uncomfortably cold, you’ll start moving, and that’s the last thing you want to do in a blind.
Builder
Waterproof boots. I had to suffer through the subpar boots as a young man until I could afford quality boots. It was always work boots, blue jeans, and a flannel shirt when I started. It wasn’t until later that I could buy waterproof gear. It’s made a world of difference.
Captain
Look, you need clean underwear and socks every day. Well-fitted and technical, breathable materials, if you can. I mean, what else is there to say?
Explorer
Quiet clothing, that’s everything. I don’t care if it’s not waterproof, and I’m going to get soaked to the bone; it’s gotta be quiet.
Hot soup thermos was a big one this year, especially if you get cold with that not-waterproof gear. I’m not usually as warm or dry as I’d like to be, because of my old, quiet gear. The soup can really make or break the day.
Camp Luxuries
OK, guys, we’re not spring chickens anymore. Camp luxuries have become increasingly prevalent at our hunt camps. How much do you hold yourself to the core roughing-it ideal? Or do you embrace camp luxuries like cots, pop-up showers, an easy-to-light propane fire pit, and OMG, satellite internet?
Artist
Pack it all; just make sure it’s a secure load. It’s all about how you travel with your camp. We’ve had the topper on past trucks, but right now, we are into the open truck bed. I secretly love the idea of the puzzle pack every time we do it. Each time, better than the last. Accounting for every spare cubic inch.
Seek the perfect aerodynamic draft, heavy in the front, and then well-covered with a blue tarp, vinyl truck bed cover, and spider net. This makes sure we can bring all the camp luxuries and still get rained on or snowed on during our travels.
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Guide
Take advantage of as many luxuries as you can in the woods. I often sleep in my truck because it’s easy and I don’t have to set anything up. But man, a cot and a wood stove in the tent — you’ll sleep better every night. The more rested you are, the better you’ll be the next day. Sure, learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable, but also take advantage of the luxuries when you can.
Builder
The luxury is a furnace, a bed, a bathroom, a hot shower. Yes, we indulge. We don’t need to rough it. If you want to, go right ahead. I’ll have the RV all toasty warm for you, just in case.
On the other hand, I’m not a fan of satellite internet. I love not having cellphone reception at hunt camp. It’s a great disconnect. It gives everyone a chance to hang out around the fire, without their noses buried in their phones.
Captain
I’ll take all that good stuff. Anything to make camp more comfortable. I’ve roughed it enough. Every time I take a shower in my RV, I sing the “I’m taking a shower in my tent” song. It never gets old.
Explorer
I’ll do both if it’s going to put me in a good area, it doesn’t matter. But if given the choice, come on, you take the luxuries. You’re beat up after a day of hunting.
Cooking at Camp: Group vs. Individual Cooks
Is the best approach with a group hunt camp to combine efforts and cook communal meals? If so, do you designate nights to each hunter? Or just bring together what everyone brought and serve family-style? Or are you tired of waiting for other people’s cooking, especially if they are cooking late into the evening, and you’re hungry?
Artist
Nothing can compare to a communal meal — having everyone eat together around the fire. That’s where it all begins, and ends, at camp. Practically speaking, group meals can work really well with a little pre-planning and foresight, for everyone’s benefit.
Often, we find that it’s a couple of people who take charge of the communal meals, and the rest of the time, it’s fend for yourself. We team up when we are all looking for those magic moments, celebrating a successful hunt, coming together to cook it up proper. This is the time to bring out all that great stuff you have in the freezer — these are the guys who will appreciate it the most.
Guide
It’s designated cook, and everyone else cleans up. Same person every night, and everyone else does the fire, cleans the dishes, does all the other camp chores. I mean, I’m usually the camp cook, and I don’t want anyone messing with my system.
I do all the planning and shopping for it, too. If I left it up to my buddies, they would pre-make chili, and then expect to eat their chili for 4 days.
Builder
It’s a team effort. We tried something different this year, where we all went grocery shopping together, and then took turns cooking. Then, to split up the work, the rest of the crew should clean up. It’s not only a shared meal but also a shared experience.
Explorer
Ideally, you want to eat together. The best situation is when the Artist is in camp, and you can defer to him.
Captain
When I go to hunting camp, I find out how many people are there, and if I’m planning a meal, I buy enough to feed everybody. I love the group cook. We have pretty good experiences with food at camp, unless the Explorer cooks. We only let him cook breakfast, and he can barely do that.
Fair enough, Captain — I love it when a plan comes together.
There you have it, folks; that’s my crew. They hunt hard and love to commiserate over a shared meal at camp. They’re not shy about taking advantage of the luxuries, but have limits on how connected they like to be to the real world out at hunt camp. They always have a good time. Get out there, find your crew, find your hunt, and make memories.
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