Hunting & Fishing Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

[SigsauerP229]

Going after a Cow Elk this Sept. and I'm looking for some new gear and I was just curious if any of you have had any dealing's with the gear I'm thinking of.

I've always been a bit of a minimalist when it comes to hunting/camping, no trailers or cab over’s although those are starting to entice me as well, I just don't want to spend the cash right now especially since I only have a Dodge 1500 to haul stuff around. I have plenty of gear now but the wife and daughter feel cramped so I figure I might as well buy some new stuff before this hunt that they won't mind using as well.

I'm thinking a truck tent would be nice to get off the ground but I was curious what everyone’s thoughts were on them? Or should I just consider a larger tent. I'd like to keep the tent under $300 and under $200 would be better. I've looked at the Rightline Campright, Napier Sportz tent, and Kodiak truck tents. I also need to keep setup simple as most of the time I just camp with my 9yr old and leave the wife at home (she's not very out doorsy).

Also I'm considering a new stove as it seems I usually end up cooking for the group when we go camping in large groups. BBQ and cooking when camping is the only cooking I enjoy but using the Coleman 2 burner stoves doesn't really do it when cooking for 6 to 10 people. I was looking at the Camp Chef 2 and 3 burner stoves. 30,000 BTU's and a much larger cooking space look nice plus plenty of accessories like griddles and BBQ pits is a bonus. Just curious how these run? Altitude is a factor too as all my camping is between 4000 to 7500 ft.

Also I've never hunted far from home or anything bigger then deer so I could use some advice for equipment needed for quartering and transporting an elk.

Thanks for any help.

 

[300rockbuster]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

I have 2 2 burner camp chef's and love them. Have the smaller griddle and it works
Great. I take 1 elk hunting every year. Makes dutch oven easy.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

Thanks rokbuster, I think I'm going to grab one.

Anyone have advice on the tent. I'm starting to lean towards getting a large tent instead of the truck tent that has some moving around space so the family doesn't feel smashed in it. Needs to be waterproof though.

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

I'm kinda in the same boat... I have some land I bought to hunt on, plan to build a cabin, but it hasn't happened yet... so i got a surplus military GP small tent off craigslist ( also see surplus tents on ebay ), found a 325 gallon food grade IBC container on CL too... found a 1947 model Ben Hur 22-47 4x6 offroad trailer local to haul everything in, it'll probably get a chuck box built for it too

 

[300rockbuster]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

If you can drive to your camp site(weight not an issue) take a look At the 10x20 car port/garage that You can get At sam's club or northern tool for around 200 bucks. I have been using the same one for15 years. I've set my smaller tent inside and used as rain fly. 2 people can set up in 15 min.

 

[Sowastrong Industries]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

+1 ^^^^^ on the car port. Prior to us getting a wall tent our elk camp was a Costco car port. Worked great, condensation can be a problem but proper ventilation seemed to help. Loads of room to keep stuff dry.

As far as field care of an elk I recommend starting with an on line search for "gutless method", elk101.com will get you on the right track. Good luck on your hunt!

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

I looked at the car ports. It wouldn't be an issue on this trip but some of the camp sites I go to have the camping area seperate of the parking area and I want to be able to use this tent all the time.

I almost grabbed one of the truck tents this weekend until the girl at the local sporting goods told me she's seen several returned due to issues people have had with them.

I think I'm going to go with a Kodiak Flex-Box canvas tent in either 10X10 or 10X14. I've read good things about them. It would be big enough for the family with plenty of room for gear and I could use my Big Buddy heater to keep it warm.

I've read a lot of people say they handled very windy conditions and heavy rain storms but does any one here have experience with them?

Thanks

 

[motodog]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

ok heres my advice buy a tent larger than you think you will need,buy some cots to get you guys off the floor(top with a thermarest pad for more comfort).buy yourself the campchef 2 or 3 burner and at least the bbq box for it(get yourself a small tote to store the bbq box in to help keep things tidy and theres room in it for utinsels also).as far as the elk goes since your new to it think horse,yes a lead cow will be very large and very heavy,get yourself some game bags,paracord,pack frame(kelty has one for like 100.00)if your lucky to get one quarter it out put in game bags load it onto pac and get it to the procesor ASAP.hang what you cant haul in a tree in bags till you can get it.Been there, done that.

 

[kraigWY]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

I'm getting too old for sleeping in snow banks any more.

I got this set up and it works great.

I'm also gettng too old for packing elk, this guy can handle that chore for me.

 

[Anvil_X]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

http://www.instructables.com/id/Pocket-Sized-Camp-Stove-The-Improved-quotPenny-/?ALLSTEPS

thats what I'm using for fall hunting. sure, it doesn't look like much, but my prototype model flamed up like a torch when I tested it with HEET this morning. Might be worth a look.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

Kraig the horses aren't happening, maybe when I retire to some nice country side property I'll consider it again. Very nice setup though!

Anvil, I'm looking for something a bit bigger. I'm already set on the light weight and mid size camping setup. As I get older though I don't always want to pack on my gear in 10 miles for a camping trip. The bigger stove will come in handy for those longer more relaxed stays.

A buddy who works for Sportsmans Warehouse set me up with game bags, paracord, and a Piranta knife.

Were also taking a 4 wheeler so hopefully we can get it in close to are elk if were lucky enough to get one.

Moto, you read my mind. I found the Camp Chef Big Gas 3 burner for a good price. Comes with a BBQ that covers 2 burners so I can still use a burner to throw a pot on. I'll also get a griddle for it that covers two burners.

Good advice on the tent too, I'm just trying to keep the size reasonable as well though. Most likely it will only be two of us in the tent, me and a buddy, me and my daughter, and at most me my wife and daughter but those will be short stays as the wife is not a camper. I'm thinking a 6 person would work fine for gear and occupants. I have a thick pad from Cabellas already so I just need a cot.

I do need to look into a frame for carrying it out though. I'll check the Kelty out.

Any suggestions on a GPS in the $150 or less range?

Thanks

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

Had to do some hunting. We have an annual Woodstock style event in the area every year and every Kodiak tent I was looking at was sold out due to this.

I finally found a 12X9 with awning Kodiak on sale today. I wanted the extra room of the 14X10 but the 12X9 with the awning allows you to purchase an addition so you can close up the awning, so it's almost twice the size. There holding it and I will be picking it up tomorrow.

I also picked up a Camp Chef 3 burner with BBQ and griddle today. I decided to throw some steaks and shrimp on it tonight just to get used to it. It throws out the BTU's for sure. I just need to get used to cooking with it as the steaks came out a little to dry for my taste buds but I'm sure I will like it. It's heat seems more consitent then my regular grill although it seems to cool quicker when you have the lid open.

 

[Sowastrong Industries]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

Sounds like you're on your way, camp comforts help keep the motivation up especially with the family along.

I recommend a small accessory for the griddle for catching grease. a wire hanger that holds a soup can that captures all that bacon grease as it pours down into the trough. Griddle has a small hole on one end it drips through, slicker than shit.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

I agree I was getting tired of using my small single burner with my Coleman 2 burner and still having to juggle things around while other parts of meals got cold.

I got the reversible griddle so no hole to catch oil just a run off but it's deep enough I should just be able to poor it out when I'm done cooking.

I also picked up a Dutch oven today, after all whats camping if you can cook up some bisquits and gravy.

I ended up picking up the Kodiak 10X10 as one just came in today. I looked at the 12X9 and it looks like setup would be alot slower then the Bow Flex models. It's setup in my back yard right now and I think it will be plenty big. They expect that a 14X10 might be in on Wednesday. If one does arrive I may exchange it otherwise I'm stuck with the 10X10 as I need something for the hunt. I still don't think the 10X10 will be an issue though.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

Well I'm en-route to Wy., just stopped for a cup of coffee and a read through the hide. I don't think I will have phone service once I'm at my hunting spot.

I think I'm pretty well set though for my first elk hunt.

Got the Camp Chef stove and tons of food to go with it.

The 10X14 Kodiak canvas tent came in and the manager at Sportsman's was kind enough to let me exchange my 10X10. XL cot and 3" thick mattress to go with it as well as a Big Buddy heater and (2) 5 gal tanks of propane.

This will be the most cush camping set up I've had, just not sure how much time I will get to use it while hunting. A great trip it should be though. I'll update with the results of the hunt.

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[300rockbuster]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

Good luck, knock em dead.

 

[SigsauerP229]

Re: Truck Tent Camp Chef Stove advice for Wy Elk Hunt

Well no luck. Trip turned out to be a bit of a downer. My trucks rear pinion started leaking bad on the way there which I had to get fixed while en-route. It's a 2006 Dodge 1500 with less then 80,000 miles and I've had two prior rear Diff. issues, so as much as I liked my Dodge, I highly doubt I'll buy one again.

Ended up hearing some bugles but never seeing them. We had about 8 hunters in our group and one of them got a calf on the last day. Nobody else even saw an elk while hunting. I probably put in 10 to 12hrs a day and walked 20 miles over some pretty good terrain.

Ended up piercing my tire with a rock on the last day which delayed the trip home. While at the tire shop the repairmen told me the elk had moved lower this year then where we were hunting.

Some of my group has been making this trip for over 10yrs straight and they have never had a trip where numerous elk weren't seen like this year. It's the reason why I went. Oh well I guess that's hunting for you but I would have been happier with at least a close encounter.

So now that I'm home I just look back at the trip and laugh. It was a life long desire that turned out poorly but it will just be that much better when I get to repeat it and finally get an elk.

The stove and tent worked great. It rained a lot, one night almost 6hrs straight with a short interval in between. Not a drop inside and no condensation. The Big Buddy heater warmed it up super quick on high. It was nice to turn it on in the morning and night on high for about 2 minutes and then switch to low, otherwise it was to hot. I turned it off while I slept. Partially because I'm paranoid and I also knew I'd get too hot. The coldest night was in the high 30's and with my sleeping bag and fleece liner I got too hot at times. It was very roomy and the high ceiling was awesome. The wind barely moved it even though it kicked up pretty good at times. The tent was a 10 out of 10.

The Camp Chef stove worked great as well but I need to get used to the BBQ part as it got a bit hotter then I like to cook even on low. I made a stew with the Dutch oven and it came out great. The biscuits, not so much as they were a bit crispy on the bottom but nothing you couldn’t trim off.

All in all it was a trip I learned quite a bit from and will hopefully make me a better hunter.