Some hunters and other outdoorsmen camp in tents

[DonaldBabbett]

while in the field, so, here are my camping caveats:


1. avoid KOA camp grounds like the AIDS virus! - state and federal ones are much cleaner and in better shape without punk-a_s kids employed there

2. always have a good warm sleeping bag when pitching a tent in the California beach camp grounds even in the summertime - the coast gets chilly and damp early in the morning

3. forget the air mattresses and air beds - they are prone to leaks and make you feel colder in bed - I prefer a folding cot with short legs that will fit inside a tent (you may use a military style poly pad if you can find one)

4. place a canvas tarp underneath your tent

5. spray lemon ammonia around your tent to keep snakes away

6. always select a camp ground with showers - some of the state camp ground showers charge no money

7. do you have a dog or two? ... make sure the camp ground allows them and be prepared to clean up their dog sh_t - they make for good camp security - I like to keep mine in my larger tent with me

8. a gun also makes for good camp security

9. don't forget the Deep Woods Off bug spray

10. carry plenty of bottled water to camp

11. beware of bears ... store food in proper places

12. follow all camp ground rules

13. have the proper equipment to tend camp fires

14. have a first-aid kit on hand

15. have good camp lighting provisions - flashlights with extra batteries and lanterns

16. have a broom and a dust pan to make breaking camp easier

17. always TEST your camping equipment thoroughly before heading for the boonies - make a checklist at home - going camping on the spur of the moment is never prudent - plan well ahead


Share your ideas to make camping fun and not a horrible memory like Camp Grenada!


PS - and by the way watch out for...

[ChrisC]

3. forget the air mattresses and air beds - they are prone to leaks and make you feel colder in bed - I prefer a folding cot with short legs that will fit inside a tent

6. always select a camp ground with showers - some of the state camp ground showers charge no money

16. have a broom and a dust pan to make breaking camp easier

I do a lot of tent camping, and I mean a lot. At least one weekend a month and I can tell you that sleeping on a cot will get cold if you do not have a pad or air mattress underneath your sleeping bag.

Shower? Your camping, who needs a shower.

A rake comes in real handy when camping in the woods which is where I camp most of the time. Rakes are great for raking up pine needles which are great for starting a fire.

[zio707]

Yeah, first thing is to rake the area of small rocks and other stuff before you lay down the tarp.

[ElvenSoul]

http://youtu.be/8cefl_th1HQ

http://youtu.be/NPCKIDZzSoI

[wpod]

Tarp-tent if it is/will rain. I prefer open-air.
No sleeping bag. Two quilts.
Entire sleeping kit is compact and light.

[riddler408]

I sleep on a foam pad with a sleeping bag. the ground will help keep you warm.

Showers??? Your not camping if there are showers lol...

But then again I avoid campsites like the plague. I backpack or atv into either my mining claim or places I prospect for gold. I hate being around people when I go out. If there are showers, that means I am at the lake drinking beer and driving the boat...

[DonaldBabbett]

Yeah, first thing is to rake the area of small rocks and other stuff before you lay down the tarp.

Never thought of the rake as a camping tool, but thanks. I always have a hammer for tent stakes. You might also do well to have a small shovel or spade handy as well as a hatchet or axe.

[DonaldBabbett]

I sleep on a foam pad with a sleeping bag. the ground will help keep you warm.

Showers??? Your not camping if there are showers lol...

But then again I avoid campsites like the plague. I backpack or atv into either my mining claim or places I prospect for gold. I hate being around people when I go out. If there are showers, that means I am at the lake drinking beer and driving the boat...

You should not drink and operate a boat at the same time. It is not safe and may be against the law.

[DonaldBabbett]

Tarp-tent if it is/will rain. I prefer open-air.
No sleeping bag. Two quilts.
Entire sleeping kit is compact and light.

Have a small light tarp and some light rope to make a lean-to at least to keep the morning dew off you if you sleep in open air.

I was a soldier once and younger.

[elx144]

Don't forget a can of beans to cook in the camp fire. Because of the beans, don't forget some tp.

[LynnJr]

5. spray lemon ammonia around your tent to keep snakes away

6. always select a camp ground with showers - some of the state camp ground showers charge no money

7. do you have a dog or two? ... make sure the camp ground allows them and be prepared to clean up their dog sh_t - they make for good camp security - I like to keep mine in my larger tent with me

16. have a broom and a dust pan to make breaking camp easier

Zip the tent door and you won't have to bring the lemon ammonia.

Avoid any/all campsites with showers and you will get a better nights sleep. The showers seem to attract the 10 PM nut cases.

No way I am sleeping with a dog in my tent. I like dogs tied up outside of the tent. Most modern people tend to let there dogs run early in the morning ruining everyone else's camping experience. Nothing worse than someone else's dog in your campsite and listening to someone yelling for there untrained animal.

Never heard of anyone camping with a dust pan

The key to camping is a laminated checklist of what to bring. I have a buddy that is really into hiking and camping and he has the best check list I have ever seen. You don't need to bring everything every time but his check list is great for reminding you of what may be needed.

[MJB]

Air mattress is cold? Get a better bag

[NorCalFocus]

Hunting is not camping for me. When I hunt I don't even take a tent. I sleep on my cot under the stars. I do have a tarp incase it rains or to wrap up in for warmth.

Going to take me 7yo son out for his first over night hunt here soon. TOld him we're not taking the tent. He's scared now lol.

[MJB]

I do a bivy tent with pad and mummy bag......we have lots of ants down here and their's always mosquitos. This year I'm tiring a hammock for a spike camp on my out of state backpack hunts and short hunts locally.

If I was going to not use a tent I'd go with a bivy sack to protect/warmth my bag and a tarp over head for morning dew

If I camp in a camp ground I'll bring everything for comfort if I don't have to lug it any distance.

[NytWolf]

Air mattress is cold? Get a better bag

Or a better mattress. Mine has the felt-like stuff on top. Hasn't bothered me with cold one bit.