Hunting Camp/Wall Tent Questions

[Adamhuntingstuff]

Howdy. Im from Indiana and have been hunting out west (Utah and Montana) for the last 3 years. It is awesome. I have missed an Elk, Killed a mule deer buck, missed some turkeys with a bow, and had an overall awesome time making trips out west. I have a couple questions for all of you guys who are much smarter and more experienced than I am.

Last year we all got the needed gear to do 1 or 2 nights backpack hunting. That worked out great, but it is clear to me that we need a better tent setup than individual backpacking tents. Most places that we have gone in Utah and Montana had a lot of guys in campers and wall tents. I think I want to go that direction and I am not pulling a camper out west (Again) so it seems like a wall tent might be the move. Obviously once I go that route it means I will need to bring all kinds of other stuff with it. I think the prospect of being able to hang out in a dry heated area at night with the guys would be worth it. My questions for you guys are these:

1. Any good camp meal/cocktail ideas or traditions?

2. Can you guys share some pictures of your wall tent setup inside and outside?

3. How many guys are you typically sleeping in one tent?

4. Does anybody have a spare wall tent that they want to sell?

 

[Werty]

What size tent are you looking for?

 

[Adamhuntingstuff]

What size tent are you looking for?

I think Ideally 12 x 16 but due to price and the fact that I only really will use this 1 week a year, I have been looking at a lot of more affordable options in the 12 X 12 range.

 

[WildWill]

I was in your shoes a couple years ago and went with the Cabelas alaknak 12x12. There are higher quality wall tents out there but for the amount I plan on using it I feel it had a good compromise between quality and price. Definitely go as big as you can afford wish I would've scaled up only regret.

 

[Archer86]

I would consider looking Into a bell tent much easier set up then a traditional wall tent. Especially if you are only using a few times a year.

 

[Adamhuntingstuff]

I was in your shoes a couple years ago and went with the Cabelas alaknak 12x12. There are higher quality wall tents out there but for the amount I plan on using it I feel it had a good compromise between quality and price. Definitely go as big as you can afford wish I would've scaled up only regret.View attachment 281538View attachment 281539View attachment 281540View attachment 281541View attachment 281542

Funny that you said this, I am actually negotiating with a guy on Facebook for a 20 x 12 alaknak right now. Do you think that would be too big?

 

[Adamhuntingstuff]

I would consider looking Into a bell tent much easier set up then a traditional wall tent. Especially if you are only using once a year

Are they pretty strong in windy situations? Also what brands would you recommend?

 

[WildWill]

Funny that you said this, I am actually negotiating with a guy on Facebook for a 20 x 12 alaknak right now. Do you think that would be too big?

If you ever plan on having more then 2 people in it then you won't regret the extra room. My only concern would be a longer more difficult setup especially alone.

 

[Adamhuntingstuff]

If you ever plan on having more then 2 people in it then you won't regret the extra room. My only concern would be a longer more difficult setup especially alone.

How long does it typically take you to set yours up?

 

[Deleted member 20812]

I have a 12x14 with 5’ walls and an internal frame. It will sleep 3 with a stove. Four would be way cozy. Two is very comfortable and then I can cook in there too.

Setup is about an hour, including cots and stove.

Meals is up to you. The sky is the limit. We do a lot of foods on my big griddle.

 

[WildWill]

With unloading and arranging gear about 30- 40 minutes at a slow steady pace. Could definitely do it under 30 minutes if I had to.

 

[ccc23454]

I was in your shoes a couple years ago and went with the Cabelas alaknak 12x12. There are higher quality wall tents out there but for the amount I plan on using it I feel it had a good compromise between quality and price. Definitely go as big as you can afford wish I would've scaled up only regret.View attachment 281538View attachment 281539View attachment 281540View attachment 281541View attachment 281542

Nice looking setup! I have the same alaknak 12 with foyer and barrel stove. Such a simple a solid set up if traveling. Pro and cons to every tent but when i was stationed on east coast it was perfect to live out of it for 3 weeks every fall and be small enough to not take up to much truck space and super easy to care for. I need to get it out and clean it up and sell it, never use it anymore just take trailer or backpack in now.

 

[millerkiller77]

Figure out which size you think is going to satisfy your needs. Then purchase at least one size larger, preferably two sizes larger. In a perfect world all your gear and guests will fit in the basic 12x14 wall tent.. start spending more than 5- 7 days at a time in the tent and you'll regret not going larger

 

[WildWill]

Oh yeah 4 guys are tight 3 fits fine with no stove with stove subtract 1 to each for the 12x12.

 

[millerkiller77]

With unloading and arranging gear about 30- 40 minutes at a slow steady pace. Could definitely do it under 30 minutes if I had to.

Solo, a 14x16 Davis takes me about 40 minutes including the floor and fly
Me plus two helpers, 14x 36 Davis takes about an hour including the floors and flys

 

[nontyp]

I bought an Elk Mountain tent a few years ago. Really only use it for 1 trip per year and it has been a great tent. it’s 13x16 and sleeps 4 with a stove.

 

[Adamhuntingstuff]

Thanks everybody for the input. I definitely think yall have convinced me to go bigger with the tent.

 

[millerkiller77]

View attachment 281552
I bought an Elk Mountain tent a few years ago. Really only use it for 1 trip per year and it has been a great tent. it’s 13x16 and sleeps 4 with a stove.

Awesome pic! Do you have any condensation or bottom wall splash back/staining issues with the tarp (fly) not having any over hang?

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Springbar Classic Jack 140. Found out after 2 years I liked the idea of a wall tent more than I liked the wall tent itself. We store all our gear in a finished room in the basement. The tent is HEAVY. This is a 10x14 and would do more than 2. It was really nice all setup, I even got interior carpet which IMO made it warmer or at least “feel” warmer.
After 3 seasons of use I ended up selling it. Most of the places I set it up were within 30 minutes of a hotel/air bnb. IMO a camper has all the advantages unless you are planning to pack it in somewhere with horses.

Also, one year it rained and even with the rain fly after I got home I had to unpack it all and lay it out to dry. Again, HEAVY. Maybe I’m a wuss but I really think Beau is on to something with his lineup. Check out Beau Beatty Snowtrekker tents at wilderness ridge trail llamas. They are pricey but I think make more sense. I may get llamas in the future and if so likely one of Beau’s tents.

 

[Archer86]

Are they pretty strong in windy situations? Also what brands would you recommend?

I have not had any issues with them been using them for a few years now. I still have a standard wall tent but it's easier to set up the bell tent so it is all have used since I have purchased it especially if your alone. I have a white duck tent