How far would you go to hunt??

[frassettor]

Myself and a fellow Tradganger decided to "take the plundge" and sub lease a 40 that is very promising! We know the gentleman that is leasing the 160 acres now( another fellow Tradganger, and a friend of mine as well). The only downside to it is the distance from home (1 hr 45 min). Me and my buddy talked with our wives, and got the ok, so needless to say we are very excited. How far would you travel to lease land. We are surrounded by nothing but hardwoods, ceder swamps, and ridgelines. This property is out in the middle of nowhere, and has a food plot and a small pond on it . Any tips on spending the night in relative comfort. We will be sleeping in the back of the van with a air mattress. In the cold months..How would we keep warm? Im a little wary with some of the heaters out there because of the carbon menoxide they give off.

Stories, tips....Welcomed    

[daveycrockett]

Here in Texas some drive 6 to 8 hrs. to their lease and never leave the state.

[BernieH]

5 hours here, I try to go every other weekend during the season. Sometimes it doesn't work out and I go every weekend.

[IronCreekArcher]

I would drive that far for good hunting.  Try to get you hands on a small wall tent with a wood / coal stove.  I have a Montana Canvas 8x10 with a small wood stove and it is awesome.  A couple of cots and small air mattresses on top and you in business.  Good luck and keep us posted on how the hunting goes this fall...  

[Paul/KS]

Originally posted by daveycrockett:
Here in Texas some drive 6 to 8 hrs. to their lease and never leave the state.

I had a truck like that once...  :D

[frassettor]

IronCreek...Where do I get one of those tents?

[IronCreekArcher]

I don't know where to tell you to look for a used one but a new one can be purchased from Montana Canvas in Belgrade Montana.  Mine cost about $800 but that was 10 years ago now.  Call them they also may have leads on used ones.  I will do some looking and see if I can't find something for ya...

I drive 3.5 hrs to the lease. It is a good lease and good place to hunt. I love hunting there but it sure hurt the pocket book when gas was $4.00/gal.

Bisch

[frassettor]

Wow, with the responses I recieved my 1hr 45 min doesnt seem that terrible anymore

[longbowman]

I guess if I had t actually get in my car to go to my hunting I would but hope it doesn't come to that!

[BobCo 1965]

That's about the same distance I drive. The fortunate thing is that I have a place to stay overnight if I want.

[MnFn]

I can relate to your dilema. I travel about 135 miles to hunt some land I own. I usually try to spend two days at least when I go.

The first year we just spent the day. The 2nd year I bought a cab-over camper. Too small, sold it. Third year built a room in the old barn, it worked ok but was too large and too hard to heat and keep clean. The last 4-5 years I bought an old 32 ft travel trailer. I put a propane heater(vented) and a wood stove for back-up in it. I leave the trailer parked there. It is easier to keep clean, and has nice big windows for watching animals. I think I paid about $350. for it.

I have mixed experiences with tents. If you get a good lined one they will work. I spent about two weeks in one north of Fairbanks one winter, and it was fine. I spent one night that seemed like two weeks in a poor one in northern Minnesota - not fun.
Gary

[Friends call me Pac]

I hunt public land in Arkansas.  The nearest place is 4 miles away and the fartherest that I have been is about 2 hours.  

I tent camped for a lot of years but this is now my home away from home.  I had a 32' camper and it was great but just wasn't conveniant to tow around and get into some of the places I wanted to go.

I really like my truck camper.  Most convienent way to camp for me.

 

[BobT]

It is not unusual for me to drive a couple of hours to hunt so I don't think that is too bad. I don't do it too often because I can jump in the truck or on the ATV and be hunting in 5 or 10 minutes any direction I go.
I think a good wall tent is the most comfortable camp. Mine is a 14x16 and about the right size for 2-3 guys, a good stove and good cot and you are all set. I got mine from The Wall Tent Shop, it's kind of awkward the first couple of times you set it up but now I can do it by myself in about 45 minutes, with 2 guys that know what they are doing it only takes about 15 minutes start to finish.

[Steertalker]

In Texas we don't measure distance in miles but by how long it takes to get there.  One hour and 45 minutes is close.  My deer lease is only 2 hrs and 15 minutes away.  What I find amazing is that your lease is only 40 acres.  Wow.  I'm on a 1200 acre lease and consider it to be VERY small.  Different strokes for different folks    

Brett

[northener]

My cabin is 200 miles away which takes me 3 hours and 40 minutes to drive. Yes, it does have it's drawbacks but once there I would not want to be anywhere else. Just the aroma of the pines and aspen is enough to wash the trip away! not to mention the sounds and smell of a softwoods campfire!

Go for it!!  I agree with the camper  either pop-up or pick-up, Home away from home, and self contained! You can buy used for cheap and fix up yourself.

[frassettor]

Originally posted by Steertalker:
In Texas we don't measure distance in miles but by how long it takes to get there.  One hour and 45 minutes is close.  My deer lease is only 2 hrs and 15 minutes away.  What I find amazing is that your lease is only 40 acres.  Wow.  I'm on a 1200 acre lease and consider it to be VERY small.  Different strokes for different folks    

Brett

Welcome to Wisconsin
 :D

[Biggie Hoffman]

I wasin a lease in Florida that was 8hours one way. Every other weekend for a few years.

Another is 2 hours away andI regularly hunt south carolina 3 hours away.

It's all in how important is to you!

[joe skipp]

My hunting land in CT is 1 hour away and New Jersey is roughly 75 minutes from home. I also have one area closer to NYC thats 90 minutes from here. I've been fortunate to have great hunting and fishing close to home.

[Jeremy]

Since it's only 40 acres I'd shy away from a wall tent with a wood stove, but that's just me.  You don't want to push the deer off onto adjacent lots with the smoke.

I'd go with a good 4 season tent and warm sleeping bag.  The lack of good ventilation in the van could make your nights feel colder than they need to be.  Sounds counterintuitive, doesn't it?