How to start a deer camp...

[deerminator]

How have you if you have? Has anyone done so recently and how did you go about it if so? I've been a bowhunter for the past 7 years and got into that on my own. I have friends I could gunhunt with around here but they all have their own land and no real interest in heading up north or anywhere els. I'd love to head up north - or est - but don't have any interest or budget in buying property. So I'd have to lease or hunt public land with the people I could get to go with me. The funny thing is, I have friends who've never hunted in their life that like the sound of deer camp - and said they'd be willing to learn to shoot and then hunt. I've thought about leased land + a wall tent camp of some sort or a camper. Anwyay, just wondering what some have done that aren't fortunate enough to have been invited to or become part of a deer camp already.

[MUSKY18]

Deerminator:

Up where we hunt and have our deer camp, it is all state land and non leased out Potlatch land. We have been hunting up there for more than 20 years. The area where we setup our deer camp is an old deck (where the trucks were loaded), so it is clear. Bout 1/8 mile off the road. We all pull up campers, setup, make a bonfire and have a blast. There is so much big woods up there. We have had other groups come up there and hunt, but only seem to stick around a year or two and then move on. We have had our lean years and we have had years where everyone in the hunting party was limited out by Saturday afternoon, but regardless of the deer count, we always have a blast.

The other option to really consider is leasing Potlatch land. You can go to the Potlatch HSOforum and look at their land lease program. They have tracks of land that they lease out that can range from 38 acres to 400 acres. Depending upon how many people you get that want to hunt with you, the cost can be split up and you basically have your own tract of land to hunt. One big downfall to that is Potlatch may come in and log off your entire land tract some year. You will know if they are going to do that as I think they will notify you. You also can't build any permanent structures on the tract, but if you pull campers, its no big deal. I have friends that have held Potlatch leases for a number of years and really like it. We would lease, but the area we hunt, they don't offer leases for that land. Here is the link to get to the Potlatch land lease program:

Potlatch Land Lease

Just some thoughts and how we have our camp setup. Couple of pics of our deer camp!

[Sorgy]

I bet those tent campers are a little chilly in the morning

We used to stay in a couple of hardsided campers 1)had a great furnace and was our main cooking and eating facility for 5 or 6 guys. 2) Was a small Tow Low camper with a pilot light for a furnace and in the morning the guy closest to the stove had to reach over and light the burners on the stove to warm things up.

Great Memories. One year my Great Uncle stopped on by just as we were warming up the place and opens the top half of the door and says she's a little chilly this morning 14 below- we invited him in and he continued to talk for a little while before - "Come inside and sut the damm door Eino"

It was awsome waking up and heading right into the woods. We now stay at my dad's place on Lake Vermilion and drive 30 minuets each way. Accomodations now include hot running water- full kitchen ect.

Our party is 10 guys now days. We would need a much larger place to feed all of us and such.

Go for it.

Steve

[InTheNorthwoods]

Step one: Get a friend or two.

Step two: Find a camper, a wall tent, or something to stay in.

Step three: Pick a piece of land that you can hunt on.

Step four: Buy a bunch of unhealthy food, soda's, a few adult beverages, a couple decks of cards, and some TP.

Step five: Enjoy.

Starting a deer camp is really easy, because there is no set plan or standard to follow. The only necessary thing is to have some good family/friends to gather with. The rest takes care of itself.

[MUSKY18]

Sorgy:

These new campers have much, much better furnaces in them than the old campers we used to have. I know the stuff you are talking about. One year, camper didn't have such a great furnace....well come to think of it, didn't have one at all, and when we woke up in the morning all our liquids were frozen solid! Much nicer having a warm camper, but those were some great memories!

[Wobbler]

I will add that whoever you start a camp with that you need to have rules. I used to say everyone knows rules you don't need any. Well lesson learned you need rules. We shared another lease with another family. 20 years no problems. Over 1 season a guy talked about sleeping with my wife, shot a spiker on opening morning I let go then shot an 8 pointer 10 minutes later and told me he filled my buck tag when I had 8 more days to hunt, and when all of our buck tags were filled shot another buck saying he knew somebody who needed the meat. Since his name is on the lease he refused to leave after breaking what most of feel is major rules. Our only choice was to leave and start our new hunting camp. Still was a horrible deal and I still am very angry about it if we would have had rules he would have been done. Mind you this hunter is over 55 and should no what is right or wrong. He does not. If you start a camp, make some general rules such as what you can shoot, what happens if a rule is broken. Are decisions made by a majority what everyone has to follow etc. Just trying to help you out!

[Getanet]

It should also be agreed upon just how exclusive your camp will be. Some guys will think of it as a sacred brotherhood. Other guys might want to invite anyone from friends, neighbors or co-workers to come hunt with the party on any given year.

There's no right or wrong way to go about it, but you can have some strained relationships if that issue isn't ironed out at the beginning.

[MUSKY18]

Rules are good ideas. I know in our group, we have the core group that has been there and if anyone wants to bring someone into camp, it has to be agreed upon by that core group or they don't hunt with us. Kids can shoot whatever they want until they are 16, then its time to hunt for mature does and bucks.

[LightningBG]

Deerminator, I think you need to buddy up with one of these guys that has a deer camp already.

[i'majigger]

The first and most major point to think of is make sure that the people you start a camp with all get along very well together, It's one thing to party and hunt with a group of people at home that get along, But put them together for several days at deer camp and somehow relationships can get strained and that is a real bummer at camp. I know I learned the hard way. I also like the idea of camp rules. Think long and hard about these and talk them over with the whole group as to not have problems down the road. Deer camp is probably one of the most fun times you can have, I know it was for me and some years I did not even tag a deer but still have good memories that will last a lifetime, but unfortunately we had the one guy that screwed it up for everyone else and it was decided to disband the camp and go our seperate ways. BUMMER but life goes on.

[motley man]

I agree with having rules !! Just get together and make your rules with your group. Be sure that everyone understands them. Make copies for everyone and have them sign it. Make sure that the rule for firearm safety is # 1 . No loaded guns in camp, unload before getting to camp so no one is doing it in campsite. Many accidents happen right in camp with firearms. Rules on who shoots who's deer are also a good one. It takes a good group to make a deer camp and everyone understanding what is expected of each other. Other than that pick your spot and enjoy and be safe. Drinking and other many rules need to be discussed too. Don't forget to see who's going to cook and what everyone eats or can't eat. Whoever cooks don't wash dishes !!!!!!

[hookjunior]

If you decide to go for it and need more people to fill out the camp let me know. I would love to have more places to hunt.

[deerminator]

Thanks for the great responses guys. I'm thinking public land and a camper(s) to start. Regardless of the hunt, it will be the camradrie and experience that matters most. The rules definitely sound like a great idea. LightningBG, I'd be open to that but I'm also not looking to crash anyone's party. Thanks again everyone for the input!

[MUSKY18]

Deerminator:

Shoot me an email......... [email protected]

Don't know if it is possible for this next weekend, but who knows. We have plenty of area to hunt up there.

[deerminator]

Musky 18, thanks for the possible invite but I actually couldn't this next week because of work. And I', guessing you are rifle. I only have a slug gun though I'm looking into getting a deer rifle sometime soon for next season. Thx!

[shortfatguy]

Musky 18, thanks for the possible invite but I actually couldn't this next week because of work. And I', guessing you are rifle. I only have a slug gun though I'm looking into getting a deer rifle sometime soon for next season. Thx!

I wouldnt worry about only having a shotgun. Almost all shots in the big woods of northern Minnesota are less than 100 yards.