Thread: Lightweight camping for a solo hunter

Hello,

Im starting to think about doing overnight or multiple night hunting trips because the distance I can travel in just a day (and trying to make it back to the car in time) feels very limited, especially since I move quite slowly through the hills and bush.

Ive been looking online and seeing a few options:

Bivvy bags
Fly's/Tarps
Ultralight 1 person tents (most expensive option)

Is it worth saving up for wee tents like this one Vaude Power Lizard Super Ultra Light 1-2 Person | Tents & Shelters | Gearshop NZ ?

Or is it just fine to sleep in a bivy bag with a tarp for extra shelter for me and the gear? With the bivvy/tarp option, do I need to bring a floor tarp as well?

Both the above options are almost the same weight depending on how much I want to pay.

My biggest concern is keeping myself dry in wet weather and keeping my gear dry too. Also wondering if I can sleep comfortably in a bivvy tent with my rifle next to me inside.

I plan on hunting in forest/bush or tussocky hills. Not planning on doing alpine camps.

I tried to edit my post but it wont let me,

Sole Adventure | Planning Your Elk Hunt – Base Camp, Spike Camp, or Bivy?

According to this article im looking for more of a spike camp type excursion.

I've got a Tarptent Double Rainbow. Weighs just over a kilo if I remember correctly. Errects in about 3 minutes. Not bombproof, but will hold up in heavy rain. Don't know how it performs in the snow. I prefer to have a tent over a bivvy bag + fly as I fucking hate insects and feeling claustrophobic. Also, if you're stuck at camp cause of bad weather, I'd much rather have a tent I can chill out in.

I have a big angus fly creek two.
Its juat over a kg and takes up fa room.
Big enough to sleep two with out feeling to gay but definitely not a big tent.
Only used once on the tops so far but will get a lot more use later in the year.

Got rained in for a day and it wasnt bad at all. Wouldnt Wouldn't want that with a bivi bag

I've been considering the same thing. I'm in the Kaimais and am leaning towards a hammock set-up as they seem cheaper and easier. Don't know if it would suit your terrain.

Both of the recommendations look really good. Nice weight and price isn't bad either. I love the choices on the tarptent website. Very lightweight and nice prices.

For the Agnes fly creek it said I need the footprint sold separately. Gotta add that weight in too.

Gonna compare prices + shipping and waterproof quality now. Thanks guys.

Hammock set up seems really good but yeah, not sure if I can find the perfect place to set something like that up depending on where I go.

I carry mine with the groundsheet. In one roll.
You couldnt tell the difference between it being there or not.
Got mine out of aussy on ebay

I have been using a Huntech fly for many years in the snow, wet, wind, lightest easiest option, you can set a fly any shape you want. I just use a cheap plastic tarp for the ground sheet.

When the weather packs up you can't beat a one man tent.

The tarptent protrail looks very good.

Tarptent Ultralight Shelters

740 grams and simple. Cheaper than the other tent-like options ive seen in NZ, even including shipping costs.
@oneshot : Ive been looking at those good old huntech fly's if I decide to ditch the tent or bivvy idea.

Originally Posted by Brian

When the weather packs up you can't beat a one man tent.

Im with Brian when it comes to the weather be it a one man or two man tent.
I just sold my tarptent ( and all my other unused ones ) to a guy who isn't intending being out in the open.
It was hopeless in anything above a breeze ... pretty difficult to pitch unless flat ... but it was light.

Will replace with good old proven Hubba Hubba ... but the new lighter NX.
Still a little heavier than the tarptent but worth it if rained in for the day and much better side room to sit up inside etc

Also gave up on bivvy bags as kept getting wet from the inside out when used in winter in Southwestland

Originally Posted by JessicaChen

The tarptent protrail looks very good.

Tarptent Ultralight Shelters

740 grams and simple. Cheaper than the other tent-like options ive seen in NZ, even including shipping costs.
@oneshot : Ive been looking at those good old huntech fly's if I decide to ditch the tent or bivvy idea.

There are some fantastic tents out there, I have never used one though so don't know any better than my Fly, tried the bivy bag thing once, to constricted and they condensate.

NZ Army Hootchie (fly), with NZ Army bivvy bag made of 'milair' waterproof/breathable fabric. Used in all kinds of weather/season/terrain combinations without getting anything inside the bag wet. Sometimes needed to get creative with positioning, but don't discount the fly option.

Aussie counterparts were out of their depth in a downpour, and had no idea where or how to position their similar kit for maximum dryness. It's all about technique.

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

What hunting do you do? Do you mind bugs? If your in the bush and don't mind bugs then a tarp and rectangle of building weather proofing are lightest option by far. Get sil-net type fly. Silicon impregnated nylon. Tent will do far better on the tops. I have use a fly in pretty rough snowy conditions on the tops but you have to know how to pitch really well and will have to low.(not much head room)
I used to work guiding 20+ day trips and have spent months under a tarp

The answer to this question depends on quite a lot of other factors. Are you in the north or south island? Do you head out in winter and\or bad weather or is it strictly a summer fine weather thing. How badly do sandflys annoy you?

My advice is to go find out what works for you before spending big dollars on gear. Go camping in your back yard or next to the car after a day hunt and see what you like.

e.g. a bivi bag is great but you will go mad if weather traps you inside it for days on end. A really small tent sounds great in theory but if you can't sit up in it comfortably you may as well have a bivi bag.

I use a hammock and am never short on spots but it's not that light and not everyone likes them.

Personally for me, bug protection is high on the list. If I get rained in I want to spend a comfortable day under cover sandfly free.

Remember all this gear adds up. You may move slowly in the bush but you will move a lot more slowly with a big pack full of overnight gear on your back. If you shoot something a days walk in you then have to carry all your gear + meat back out. Generally it's not worth the effort and you are better off getting up at 4:00am and walking further with a lighter load. Having said that camping out in the bush on your own is a lot of fun.

And the best place to watch the walking dead episodes is on your phone, in your tent, alone in the dark with your rifle beside you.