Looking to join a hunt camp

Hmmm... I dont think most newbies realize the time and expense involved to being a member of a hunt camp. There are work weekends, communal costs for camp infrastructure, costs for consumables (food, fuel, firewood, etc). This can amount to several hundred dollars per year. Even more if you have to placate the wife with something expensive during deer season.
Also, you are generally expected to commit to at least one week during deer season, and do your share of cooking, cleaning, dogging, etc.
We are a typical camp, with an aging (dwindling) membership. Getting younger folk, particularly family men (and women) from the "big smoke", has been challenging - for understandable reasons. Accordingly, we have developed a "day pass" membership. It amounts to about 100$ per day for all amenities, except alcoholic beverages. The proponent is still expected to share the day to day camp duties. This approach still causes a lot of people to choke.
 
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1) Your timing is off. its like asking to talk to Santa on Christmas eve. Id be trying again in February/March when people are thinking about spring turkey.
2) If you have ever been in sales you understand its a numbers game. talk to EVERYONE about how you want to get out hunting.
3) See if you can get in on something small to show you are good guy then move up from there. Hence my turkey comment. (e.g. Get in for small game, and look to move up)
4) highlight what you bring. (e.g. i have all my own brush clearing tools, Chain saw, ATV, great cook, etc.)
5) Don't get discouraged. we haven't let new people (except kids of original members) since the 70's. but we know its inevitable
 
Jesuschrist, why would one be part of a hunting camp hahaha?? Sounds like a night mare to me! Crown land or private land with owner approval, a small wall tent and a wood stove, a good friend or your wife/girlfriend and man you are golden!! That is what we do, that what I’ve done for the last 23 years! When for some reasons one year a friend doesn’t work out switch friend( might be harder to switch wife though!) and try an other one that will match your style and ways of doing things!!
Good luck!!
 
Jesuschrist, why would one be part of a hunting camp hahaha?? Sounds like a night mare to me! Crown land or private land with owner approval, a small wall tent and a wood stove, a good friend or your wife/girlfriend and man you are golden!! That is what we do, that what I’ve done for the last 23 years! When for some reasons one year a friend doesn’t work out switch friend( might be harder to switch wife though!) and try an other one that will match your style and ways of doing things!!
Good luck!!

At the opposite end of that, in the last few seasons I've seen "Camps/Crews" roll up to CL logging cuts in multiple RV Trailers and plunk their arses smack dab in the middle of it effectively disabling it for any use to other hunters. Then roll in on an adjacent cut that had no sign of hunters being in there (foot or atv tracks) and state they were actively hunting that cut as well, even when there's not or hasn't been a soul in there just to cut/deter off a group from any potential success.

So CL accessibility is always a given. Make sure you have alternate or multiple CLs in mind before you go and expect some politics along the way..
 
In Ontario, a lot of crown land has leased hunt camps. The lease generally applies to a small parcel of land where the camp is located (eg less than an acre). However, the adjacent land is actively hunted with agreement by adjacent camps. Legally, anyone can come and hunt on this land. Practically, one runs the risk of getting a pretty rough ride from the local hunters, who call these visitors "highwaymen", amongst other names.
 
Jesuschrist, why would one be part of a hunting camp hahaha?? Sounds like a night mare to me! Crown land or private land with owner approval, a small wall tent and a wood stove, a good friend or your wife/girlfriend and man you are golden!! That is what we do, that what I’ve done for the last 23 years! When for some reasons one year a friend doesn’t work out switch friend( might be harder to switch wife though!) and try an other one that will match your style and ways of doing things!!
Good luck!!

Different strokes for different folks. Our camp is a completely renovated 19th century farmhouse, with all mod cons, including two bathrooms, hot showers and a wet sauna. We eat gourmet meals, last night we had Texas style smoked brisket, glazed vegetables, salad, and rice pilaff. My days of staying in a wall tent are long gone!
 
Different strokes for different folks. Our camp is a completely renovated 19th century farmhouse, with all mod cons, including two bathrooms, hot showers and a wet sauna. We eat gourmet meals, last night we had Texas style smoked brisket, glazed vegetables, salad, and rice pilaff. My days of staying in a wall tent are long gone!



Ok...I'll call you on this one. Gourmet you say? Laugh2


:needPics::needPics:




Good old hunt camp just brings out the liars.


My father in law has a hunt camp. Hand built cabin on his section of land. Some go out and get piss drunk, while some others are just keyed in on the hunting. Chores and food bills are divided equally. Some night everyone is in bed by 2000hrs while other nights turn into an all night card game.


There enjoyable, but get tiresome after awhile.
 
I've been deer hunting solo for the last 10 years and find it a lot more relaxing than a hunt camp. I have been mentoring my 14 year old daughter the last couple years which means more to me than anything. A lot of camps don't want women or children involved which is ridiculous.
 
camps are not "an establishment" that you conform to.

they are a group that shares experience, and love of the activity.

any "camp" that does not like women, or children, should rethink their ways.
 
You know, scouting and hunting on your own or with a close friend is still a thing. Ontario has lots of crown land and it is not impossible for a motivated person to get permission to hunt private land. Just saying, hunt clubs can be alright, but they can also be a aggravating nightmare. Organized hunt clubs just ain't my style, far too restrictive.
 
Do what I did, buy a small empty bush parcel..use it for weekend or summer getaways and as a base to hunt crown land.Then as you get to know the area, you'll find out about the area and get to know the locals.
We started with 5 acres 12 years ago , we keep our trailer on it to use as a cottage when we aren't traveling .It was a godsend during the previous summer lockdown.Last year got 180 acres on the connecting road and spent this summer exploring it. Can never lose buying land.
You can incorporate and sell shares or leases if you want to start a hunt club.
 
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