Cost Cutter/Comfort ideas for Camping and Hunting

Over the years, I've accumulated several ideas on how to hunt and camp with more comfort at less expense. Some of these may not apply to you depending on what area of the country you live in. Just browse and have fun.

Disclaimer: The following ideas may not be valid in the area where you live, camp and hunt. They may change at anytime without notice. By accepting this information, you are not holding the writer responsible for any information, without checking with individual suppliers at the time of your action.

1. To prevent tent from leaking, and to add extra comfort. String a cable between 2 trees using a winch or come along. Put some type of cover over the cable such as a tarpaulin, with equal amount on both sides. Take either PVC or metal pipes--roughly 6 ft. or so and tie the tarpaulin grumens and poles to make a cover. Put tent and camp under the cover. For a large camp, more than 1 cover may be used(spliced together).
   
   
2. To make Camp seats. Buy a Bass Boat seat. Bolt it to an old plastic milk crate turned upside down. Excellent camp seat at reasonable cost. Can dissemble and use milk crate for storage when enroute. Also good seat for some tree stands.
   
   
3. Make coffee before going to bed for the next morning. Put into preheated insulated thermos bottle. You will have instant hot coffee when you awaken the next morning. [Author recommends Nissan Stainless if available.]
   
   
4. Sleep on cots with a pad or foam next to the cot. This keeps you off the cold ground, and if there should be a flood and water gets under the tent, you still have a dry bed--if the water doesn't come in from above.
   
   
5. Sleep without heat. (Avoid Carbon Monoxide poisoning). When alarm goes off, ignite a small backpacker type of stove for 10 minutes. In a 12 x 12 tent, the temperature will quickly rise with just the small stove. Place the stove in the middle of the tent on the floor. Heat rises.
   
   
6. When buying a sleeping bag, the temptation is to buy a very cold rated bag. This is great for very cold camping, but not for milder weather. If a medium range bag is purchased (rated 10 to 25), it can be used for early trips before the coldest weather. When extra heat is needed, a moving quilt on top of the bag sufficiently helps the bag provide comfort at lower temperatures. Medium range bags are much less expensive than colder rated ones.
   
   
7. An additional source of heat that many are unaware of is a Coleman type of lantern. If the idea of using a small backpackers stove isn't used, light the lantern, leave it sitting in the floor in the middle of the tent for 15 minutes before getting up. Heat rises, so lighting it, hanging it in the top of the tent does little good.
   
   
8. Rather than having an open campfire, get either a 40 or 55 gallon drum. Weld on legs, weld snout in front for dampering, cut hingeable door in top, weld stove pipe connection in, and then you can get 3 pieces of stove pipe and an elbow and be set. (It is easy to build a very elaborate system, so many more can be used.)
   
   
9. Make coffee in old fashion percolator. These can be found in garage sales at a very reasonable price. Last ones bought was $2-$4.
   
   
10. Garage sales are excellent places not only for camp coffee pots, but all types of camp dishes, silverware, tents, etc. Never pay the asking price without trying for a better price. Also remember, buyer be ware--there are NO returns.
    
    
11. For warmth, either a scarf around the neck or a turtleneck sweater are good. Caps are available with velcro attachments that will wrap around head/neck and provides a lot of adjustments. Very effective for cold weather.
    
    
12. For safety, take a first aid kit to camp. Highly recommend a cellular phone if available.
    
    
13. Nothing is worse than dull knives. Recommend DMT diamond sharpener [2 in x 6 in] for experienced knives man; for less experienced, recommend Lanksy sharpener that forces the angle of stone movement on blade.
    
    
14. Camp food can be excellent. There is none better than a good steak. Some campers take their grills with charcoal with them.
    
    
15. If you have a deep fryer in camp, a neat bread is instant butter-me-not biscuits cooked like donuts. Simply brown and turn until brown.
    
    
16. Walkie talkies/2 way radios are excellent way to communicate between members of a hunting party. If a deer is within sound distance, work out a method of signaling like 2 clicks of the transmit button means game in sight.
    
    
17. Always carry toilet paper--for more than the obvious reason. It can be used to mark the trail of a wounded animal and be seen in a small amount of light.
    
    
18. Take multiple ice chests with crushed ice. If a deer is killed, the deer can be quartered and iced down in a single box(for whitetail). If the lid is left on, the meat will keep several days. Be sure to keep the box in the shade though.
    
    
19. One of the best kept knife secrets for skinning/butchering big game is Forschner made by Victorinox. Excellent quality while reasonably priced.
    
    
20. Miniature headset radios excellent for listening to sporting events or music. May not be practical if you need to listen for game.
    
    
21. Big is NOT better for field dressing game. Some very good hunters use 3-4 in blades for such. Can get into the chest cavity.
    
    
22. Cover scents do work. Pour into a leaf pile and rub boots into leaves before approaching stand or hunting area.
    
    
23. Deer calls will stop/cause deer to check you out if properly used. Worth carrying, and used if deer is moving away from you.
    
    
24. Back pack is simple way to carry hunting stuff. Suggested include--insulated coveralls, thermos(coffee), safety belt(tree stand), hooks, cover scent, nylon cord(raise/lower gun for tree stand), snacks, trail marking tape. Don't buy a cheap pack. It will not last with the contents listed.
    
    
25. Tree stand-where practical-allow you to do much you can't do on the ground. They don't have to be high to be effective. Deer almost never look up. Always use a safety belt.
    
    
26. For light, recommend either a Maglite or similar make. Suggest the 6 inch Maglite using 2 AA batteries, with a belt attachment. Can also get head attachment. 2nd bulb in bottom of Maglite. Waterproof
    
    
27. For packaging meat, double wrap the meat after cut in plastic wrap. Then place each into freezer bags by type of cut. Suggest 2 gallons zip lock type bag. When ready to cook, unzip, take desired and rezip the remaining packages.
    
    
28. Wal-Mart in many areas close out their hunting and camping goods including boots and clothing. This varies from store to store, and if found, can have some very good prices. If you know anyone in the sporting goods department, ask when it will occur.
    
    
29. SAM's Wholesale Club(or others) have from time to time very good prices on tarps that are suggested for building a canopy. Sometimes, theirs is not the best price. Snacks such as chips and picante sauce are usually good buys. Sometimes, they even carry folding cots.
    
    
30. When buying a cot for camping, be sure it fits. Try stretching out on it to insure it's long enough. Hanging off either end isn't some people's idea of having fun. If it doesn't provide comfort, it isn't a good buy.
    
    
31. For warmth, with light weight and little bulk, try overalls with insulated underwear. Found Duofold very acceptable.
    
    
32. For black powder hunting, life savers(small) containers are excellent for carrying pre-measured amounts of powder.
    
    
33. Seagrams cloth sack is ideal for carrying black powder bullets, powder, and percussion caps.
    
    
34. Climbing tree stand are excellent way to hunt if timber permits. Price goes up as stand weight goes down. Be sure to red the instructions on how to use. If not used properly, they can be VERY dangerous!!!
    
    
35. After Christmas sales, particularly in major cities can be excellent. If going, must be day after. Have seen from 20-35% off.
    
    
36. Lifetime license. If they are available in your area, and you are either a hunter or fisher person, most are good even if you move out of state. Excellent buy for someone before they exit college, if they are a sportsman, and may end up out of state.
    
    
37. Ordering products from out-of-state can be a money saver, if in any amount at all. In many cases, the shipping is cheaper than sales tax. Be sure you know what you want. Returns can be a problem.
    
    
38. Clean up after a camping/hunting trip. Clean and oil gun, even if not used. Oil boots. I have pair that are 30 years old. Store equip where can be found.
    
    
39. Some airlines carry FAA approved cases for shipping guns as checked luggage. Some have excellent prices. Always check with airlines before going to the airport regarding policies. Some airlines allow ammo in cases. Check before you leave for the airport though. Be sure your case will lock!!
    
    
40. Flying with hunting rifles has not been a problem in past. Must have an FAA approved case that will lock. Case must be locked when checked. Should always test fire rifle after flight to insure no adjustments are needed. Best to check with the airline before going to the airport to insure the rules haven't changed.
    
    
41. If going camping, and have room to transport food, begin watching Sunday sales papers about 90 days before trip. Depending on the hunting area, food and supplies may be expensive, if available at all. (Wal-Mart was sold out of gloves on one of my trips)
    
    
42. Beware of some "discount stores". Buds, Wal-Mart return store, had items higher than at Wal-Mart. Also, Sam's prices may not be better than the local store. Buyer BE WARE!
    
    
43. Oshmans Sporting Goods(Texas/Calif.) has had super sales on Memorial day and Labor Day at their catalog return store. They are not well advertised, and are the merchandise on hand. Go early. Again, Buyer beware.
    
    
44. Gun Safe vs. Monitored security system. Monitored security system can be hooked into access and smoke detectors. Some states insurance companies give excellent discount for these systems. Protects not only guns, but all of home valuables. Disadvantage is that doesn't protect kids from playing with guns or from fire damage before fire department may arrive.
    
    
45. Keep the box that a gun is bought in if possible. The gun will generally bring more if you have the box when you sell it.
    
    
46. If you plan on selling or trading a new gun, do NOT test fire it. Like a car that has been driven around the block, the gun is used if fired once.
    
    
47. When available, knives that are seconds are functionally equivalent of new knives, but at a much lower price.
    
    
48. If you get a gun price that appears to low and the seller will take a check, have a local gunsmith check out the gun and have local police check to see if stolen. If stolen or the gun is not as stated, stop payment on check.
    
    
49. If shopping at a gun show or equivalent, carry cash and ask for a carryout price. Credit cards and checks in many cases increase price as would the tax if not included.
    
    
50. Match gun, mounts, and scope. I have seen $500 gun, cheap mounts, and a $20-40 scope. Good optics, well mounted is as important as a fine gun.
    
    
51. Easy, excellent camp meal is taco salad. Need hamburger, seasoned and browned, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, some form of salsa, salt and pepper. Makes excellent noon or night meal.
    
    
52. Never pay the asking price at a gun show without asking for a lower price. Many dealers expect that and have a pad built into the listed price. (May want to ask if tax is included if firm price.)
    
    
53. At the end of a season, if a few items are left, even Wal-Mart/Oshmans have been known to bargain. The worst that can happen is to be told NO.
    
    
54. Many people carry P bottles. You can buy one, or carry a 16oz, 20oz, or 1 liter plastic bottle that you can get containing soft drinks.
    
    
55. For tree stand users, almost a must is a small folding saw to trim limbs off a tree, or to clear a sight path. Can be bought with belt sheath. Also handy for yard work around house. Recommend a small Gerber folding saw or equivalent.
    
    
56. Pro Bass, Springfield, MO has one of most interesting stores anywhere. If you hunt, camp, or fish, this is a must see. They also have a catalog return store. Beware of the return store prices. Buyer be WARE! [Now, there are several of those across the country.]
    
    
57. "Real Men" don't carry pink, red or orange knives. If lost, which is easier to find, those or a black, brown, green, or camo?
    
    
58. Determine if you are buying quality or throw away items. Some manufactories give warranties and even life time guaranties. Ask what that is worth before buying.
    
    
59. All imported items are required to have the country of origin on them. On knives, it is usually on the tang. If you can't find this, ask. Know what quality of item you are buying.
    
    
60. Always put on dry socks in the morning before going hunting. Wet or damp socks means "COLD" feet. If your feet are cold, then you most likely are also.