Roughing It

[frassettor]

Just wondering if any has ever just took your favorite bow and headed out in big country with a weeks worth of supplies and roughed it. Would love to hear some thoughts! i always wanted to do it.

[ChuckC]

Richard....  for me..roughing it includes my pillow and blankie...

I too would like to hear about some of these exploits.  Anyone camping with just a tarp as a lean-to ?  any guidance ?
ChuckC

[shootssmallbulls]

whats your definition of roughing it?

[chrisg]

I did that first week of this year, high summer in the mountains and bushveld of the Waterberge. My friend and I called it a 'survival hunt' for want of a name to explain our hare-brained idea, it was more like an exploration. Well, torrential rain, a vehicle breakdown, my mate getting flattened by a bushpig, very little sleep and fabulous days hiking, hunting and climbing mountains and nights out made it one of the best things I've done for myself in years. Never knew if I was hungry or tired, we were too busy having fun.
The 'survival' was not in the form or fashion we might have imagined and that in itself made it just perfect! We dried out, fixed the truck, lost weight and my mate is fine. If you have thought of it, why are you still here? Get out and do it man! You will learn plenty and have a hoot.
chrisg

p.s. Robert Ruark's classic 'Old Man and the Boy' has tales about camping, hunting and fishing trips with the his grandfather that will make you get started! And you don't have to go to Alaska or Africa to do it, keep it simple and cheap.

[Danny Roberts]

A friend's brother left the house and did it for 2 years.

[chrisg]

oh yes my kit list, one man tarp, light blanket, zip-off longs, t shirt, plain shirt, old wool sweater, rainjacket, hat, boots, slops. Small hunting pack with standard gear, couple cans of beans, ramin noodles, pap,coffee, biltong, apples, raisins, nuts, small gas cooker, candles, flashlight.

We had the luxury of a base camp and our vehicles but only for mega problems, we didn't have any.

Most important is don't go with a huge 'to do list' you will have a crappy time. Just get out there.
chrisg

[Kip]

When I was younger I did a lot of canoe camping solo and with friends.I went with bows and sometimes guns and some of the best time of my life fun campinf beautiful woods and really felt alive miss it now but areas I went are not open to public now.Kip

[Ken Taylor]

Among other reasons to be out there, that has been my preferred method of hunting moose for many years now. I started when I was in my teens.

 I used to tell my family and friends that it was the best way to get to know yourself, it still is.

 It was common practice among the Cree here before but since it is not necessary for survival now, less do it.

 In case someone is wondering about how I would get a moose out of the bush, make sure it's a cold day when you kill it and have a plan that involves friends to share the meat with.

[tradtusker]

used to do it a lot. mostly in the national parks here in the UK, often take my bow and stump shoot around camp. Love going to new places and trying to new methods of fire lighting and shelter building. After a while you really get to know what you use and dont really need and you can start taking less gear.
its good to go with like minded friends or by yourself.

you learn a lot about yourself after spending a few days in the middle of know where expesialy when things get tough.
 You have a lot of time to think about things and you realize how much you take for granted. Every simple amenity you take for granted at home requires work, preparation and time when your out in the bush.

i did a bit of hiking over in Australia with a small pack and just slept under the stars ( with a mozzy net) people thought i was crazy.

i love beein out in the middle of know where no people, no lights just you and the wild.

This year when we are back in South Africa we have planned a 3 day survival hunt with our bows shooting and trapping for food in the mountains and valleys of a local farmers land he says he does not know of anyone thats been through there in many years. No roads no phone or radio signal...perfect.

[Leon.R]

Pap, coffee and biltong...
Why all the other stuff?

[rtherber]

Solo backpacking in CO until I found a place to hunt elk where I could base camp-no need to rough it-if the hunt is one that means better quality hunt by roughing it,I'm game(no pun intended),if hunting is as good in a comfortable camp-I'll be there.
 

[rtherber]

Base camp-  

[rtherber]

And this upcoming year I'm debating on taking my recently renovated Airstream Bambi out and camp in it. The Forest Service enforces the 14 day rule so its a pain to break camp and move several times. Thus-I may "rough it" in my easy setup-takedown Bambi camp.

[woodchucker]

I have done it before,for a few days at a time.

In the NY's Adirondack Mountains they have a good hiking trail system with lean-tos built along the trails.

(they are marked on the trail maps)

That takes care of the shelter part.....A heavy wool blanket,fire starter,and some food.....It's the next best thing to Heaven!!!!!

May The Great Spirit Guide Your Arrows

[T.J.]

I've always wanted to do this and will in the next year or so. I'd love to hear some stories on this from the mitten brothers!

[centaur]

I packed in to the Teton Wilderness years ago in search of a bull moose which evidently had heard I was coming, because I saw only cows for over a week. Outfitter hauled my carcass about 15 miles in, said 'see ya in a week', and left. I slept under a tarp and ate freeze dried and a few grouse that were dumb enough to let me stick them. Although I didn't get my moose, it was a great time.
Done several backpack hunts for 3 or 4 days for deer and elk, but now I enjoy having a nice cot to sleep on. I still would do some backpacking in nice weather, but being cold and wet for a few days doesn't interest me any more.

[Angus]

TJ, when you're young,it's great, relatively cheap, easy to do, and a ton of fun!  When you're hitting the big 60, like me, it's vital that you're able to recover from the day's exercise with a decent night's sleep.  I can't get that anymore by sleeping on the ground, so I went to a hammock system that's really great.  I'd absolutely encourage you to do this as soon as you can get the gear together!  We had a blast.

[IB]

I find myself doing it ever day now.

The OLDER I get The ROUGHER it is  

[chrisg]

pap biltong and coffee is all you need for sure. The name was a just an explanation not a set of rules. I am happy to be comfortable and could move in two minutes or less if I wanted to, how it should be. Remember I did this for a living for some years, today is more laid back, thank the Lord. It was fun and simple and the cheapest therapy ever! We laughed  and laughed and sat quiet and looked deep into the campfire and listened to the nightjars and owls. Die bosveld, jy ken dit mos. Not looking for badges anymore.
chrisg

[John C Keith]

Originally posted by Angus:
I can't get that anymore by sleeping on the ground,  so I went to a hammock system that's really great.  

Sounds comfy.  Can you pass on more detail about your setup?  (Name, weight, ease of setup, how it does in inclimate weather, etc)

Thanks!    :D