Bivi Camp or Base Camp

[ghost]

Wondering what most of you do for camp. Bivi or base camp.
For years I hunted solo and I would Bivi camp exclusively.  Now I have three great hunting partners and we base camp.  We sleep and eat at camp and then head out from there every day. I find that there are big pros and cons to both.  Right now, I favor base camp as the area we currently hunt has a very high number of elk herds and getting on good bulls is not a problem withing 10 miles of camp. I have to say though, I sometimes miss going at it bivi camping.

 

[WardDawg7]

It has a lot do with age as well.  Nothing better than a nice cozy bed, bathroom and all the comforts of life at base camp.  My partner and I have decided this year to do both before we won't be able to.  Bivi has advantages as well but we did enough of that stuff in the military.

 

[Big Tex]

I'm somewhere in between, usually set up and stay in the same spot until I need to move on, which may be daily or sticking in one spot the entire hunt

 

[kikinhorse]

We do both. depends on the weather and how far we need to go in. We just make sure we can get the elk cooled and out.

 

[Jimbow65]

our group does a base camp with a wall tent and stove, but several of us are prepared to backpack out if we need to find elk. last year I ended up sleeping in my one man tent due to space in the wall tent. I like the company, and coming together at the end of the day.

 

[MTbowhunter1984]

Hunt from base camp the majority of the time, but am able to bivy if I locate elk and its more reasonable time wise.  I just make sure I always have enough supplies to stay away from base camp for a couple of days.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Bivy camp, but I don't typically use a bivy.

 

[GoatT]

I do alot of both.  Sometimes I will set up a base camp and bivy out from there or just use base camp.  Had success using both.

 

[EatElk]

It all depends on my tag. I normally set up a base camp and hunt 2-3 hrs from there. If I have to hike much further. I'll get straight primitive.

 

[buckykm1]

Being 60 years old, and from Michigan, I come out west for 2 weeks every year in late October to Elk hunt, I want the comfort of a Base camp.
Propane heat, porta potti and a shower.


Kevin

 

[Montana_BackCountry]

I leave a base camp up near my car and adventure out via hammock or bivy if the herd has been pushed back away from the lower area by the parking area.  I think good practice is to be prepared for both.  A good base camp is preferable if you have a herd within range of the heavier items a base camp utilizes.  If pursuit is required beyond a mile i'll bivy it tho.  no sense in making that trek daily and spending your energy out before the quarters are packed.

 

[MT_mulies]

My buddy and I do the whole bivy thing. We just wander like nomads for a week trying to find elk. That way we don't have to go back to camp every night and if we see something we like then the next day we just camp right there and don't have to get up extra early the next day haha. But if there weather is suppose to be really bad then we will take a base camp.

 

[Jatkins6x6]

If you can base camp then base camp, but if the elk are deep you must bivi to stay with them. Prepare for both

 

[Nimrod]

I see advantages of both. It is nice to have a place to come home to each night, kind of gives you a comfortable feeling, plus you dont have to carry as much weight every day. Bivi is nice because it keeps you really mobile but it is harder on you every day. Guess you just have to decide which you like better.


Jeff