Tent camping in November

[Kiwi]

I’m looking at applying in Colorado for a 3rd season deer hunt near Buena Vista, Colorado. Based on last years draw I should easily have enough points to draw unless there is huge point creep.

During my research I’ve found plenty of accommodation options including cabins, airbnb and hotels. But I’m seriously looking at renting a canvas tent (with a floor and fire) and camping at a road end or BLM land.

I’m know it’s going to be cold but is camping a popular option for hunters accommodation in November in the high country?

Or is the cold and chance of storms enough for hunters to not camp? Any other pros and cons?

Thanks in advance.

 

[TOGIE]

i would generally say go for it.

1st rifle can be just as bitterly cold and snowy as 3rd on any given year and the canvas tents are everywhere during 1st rifle. i'd say the wall tents are plenty common/typical/popular during 3rd rifle.

good odds you'll be looking at daytime highs in the 40's/50's with sunny days anyway.

also good odds it'll be absolutely frigid and snowy. you never know. but the tent with a fire will do you fine either way. heck even a 4 season backpacking tent will do you fine.

really it's just up to however you want to do it and how comfortable you wanna be.

 

[jpc01101]

BV..shoot get a room at the hot springs and soak your pain away

 

[Kiwi]

BV..shoot get a room at the hot springs and soak your pain away

I didn’t know about the hot springs. I’ll definitely go for a soak, I’m very much a hot springs fan.

 

[Kiwi]

i would generally say go for it.

1st rifle can be just as bitterly cold and snowy as 3rd on any given year and the canvas tents are everywhere during 1st rifle. i'd say the wall tents are plenty common/typical/popular during 3rd rifle.

good odds you'll be looking at daytime highs in the 40's/50's with sunny days anyway.

also good odds it'll be absolutely frigid and snowy. you never know. but the tent with a fire will do you fine either way. heck even a 4 season backpacking tent will do you fine.

really it's just up to however you want to do it and how comfortable you wanna be.

Good points, thanks for the advice.

I’ve done a lot of camping tahr hunting so I should be fine. Only difference is when tahr hunting we don’t fly in if the forecast is bad.

 

[Pagosa]

You would be fine. Possibility find a local source to buy a small jag of firewood. I would ensure you put your stove jack on the leeward side to avoid any back drafting if you get some high winds.

 

[Kiwi]

You would be fine. Possibility find a local source to buy a small jag of firewood. I would ensure you put your stove jack on the leeward side to avoid any back drafting if you get some high winds.

Good tip, thanks! I’ll make sure I have plenty of firewood. I can see my teenage son having the fire on a lot.

 

[Kiwi]

This was our tahr camp May 2024. Canvas tent with fire for evenings and seperate tents for sleeping. This is in a wilderness area where we helicoptered in. Thinking I’d have the same set up for Colorado.

 

[bigsky2]

I’d stay wherever most easily allows you to access as much of your unit as possible. If that is a place that allows you to have a hot shower after freezing your butt off every day, even better.

 

[Kiwi]

I’d stay wherever most easily allows you to access as much of your unit as possible. If that is a place that allows you to have a hot shower after freezing your butt off every day, even better.

Always nice to have a shower after a day in the mountains! Thinking of a hotel for about 5 nights (at the beginning, middle and end) and 10 nights on the tent.

 

[Kiwi]

If anyone has a canvas tent rental shop recommendation in Denver, or on the way to Buena Vista, it would be great to hear from you.

 

[Pagosa]

If anyone has a canvas tent rental shop recommendation in Denver, or on the way to Buena Vista, it would be great to hear from you.

If you were in Montana I could set you up. Best of luck

 

[marksjeep]

We've rented some gear from this place in Denver before. Been years, but they were good to deal with back then.
https://www.outdoorsgeek.com/canvas-hunting-tents/

 

[Kiwi]

We've rented some gear from this place in Denver before. Been years, but they were good to deal with back then.
https://www.outdoorsgeek.com/canvas-hunting-tents/

Thanks!

 

[SFC B]

We canvas tent every year in CO just below 10k feet in 2nd or 3rd season every year. As mentioned, have pelnty of firewood and it is all good. Also, given your experience, I am sure you have a really good bag. Personally, I damp the fire down at bed time and snuggle in my sack.

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

I have a large wall tent and stove you can use, although I'm about 2.5 hours north of Denver.

 

[Kiwi]

We canvas tent every year in CO just below 10k feet in 2nd or 3rd season every year. As mentioned, have pelnty of firewood and it is all good. Also, given your experience, I am sure you have a really good bag. Personally, I damp the fire down at bed time and snuggle in my sack.

Nice setup!

 

[Kiwi]

I have a large wall tent and stove you can use, although I'm about 2.5 hours north of Denver.

Very generous, thanks! I’ll send you a PM.

 

[The_Jim]

Personally, I damp the fire down at bed time and snuggle in my sack.

This is the way^^^. Or just make sure you have a better sleeping bag than your partner so he wakes up cold first to stoke the fire.

I have only hunted from a hotel room 1 time and just hated all the driving. I’d take a wall tent camp over that every time.