Long Distance Traveling for Birds

I camped at a spot last year 3 or 4 times and at dawn a rooster would crow and fly and land in a plum thicket 30 yards from the truck.
The first time after I got around I tried to flank him. I’m glad I didn’t get him. You can’t get that in a motel room.
Yeah there's no honor in that...
 
In 1966 when my Father was a doctor in Bakersfield and then Governor Reagan started to dismantle the California state mental hospitals my dad said " where are all these people going to go".and here we are. Also the long term effect of drug and or alcohol abuse is social isolation that's what were seeing now. Of course the American family has been in decline for over sixty years.
Leftyhunter
That's what my mother said. I remember because mom volunteered at a mental hospital in Evansville Indiana in the 60's. I went with her a time or two. It was scary as hell! She was worried when the funding disappeared. One of the biggest mistakes our society ever made. Of course, there are other reasons. Some are legit. Some are addicts, and some are worthless. If they were all legit, or mentally ill I bet we would take care of them.
 
I looked at buying smaller camper's/RV's and my primary issue is winter. I would need to purchase an insulated trailer that I can use in sub freezing temps. Iowa, MT and the Dakota's get cold and I can't see buying a camper unless it is set up for operating in really cold weather. That drives both the cost and the weight of the camper up significantly, which has been a deal killer for me.
No.A regular,well built camper will work.I have a 2006 lance.
 
I'm tired of these rediculas pet fees at motels They already fleece you on the rates,then they want more??? Give me a break!!
I'm with you on that. I just paid $200 for a hotel outside Rapid City and they hit me for another $50 for my dogs for the night.
 
You boondock and pay nothing .
No, you can't do that...
That's what I thought. I used to have a camper for hunting down in Texas and really enjoyed it but didn't need it after I left Texas and sold it. A small electric heater provided all the heat I needed down there. I camp out a lot and I've stayed in tents for weeks at a time. If I'm going to boondock it, I'm thinking I could just use one of my tents.....then I remind myself how much fun sleeping in freezing temps in an unheated tent is. The only thing worse was the week I spent in a 4 season hammock in freeing temps in Iowa.....just for fun. It wasn't and I got about 2 hours of sleep a night. My quest for a better solution continues.
 
I have used all 3 options for travel when bird hunting.

For years, I stayed in hotel in Iowa that had "dog" rooms. The place closed down a few years ago.

In the fall, I like to stay in my 21' travel trailer, either at a campground with shore power or remote camping/boondocking. Late fall, with long periods of below freezing temps, I do not use the water systems on the trailer.

When remote camping, the electrical and water systems are good for about 3 days.

The trailer was originally purchased for family vacations so the hunting with it is a bonus.

It is not inexpensive to tow a trailer, but it is nice to stay in my own bed and fix my own food.

When we hunt in January, we rent an Airbnb. It is comfortable and affordable.

I have contemplated building a teardrop camper that could be towed with a small vehicle and would comfortably house me and the dog.
 
Have looked at this many times over. No doubt the camper side offers lots of flex and in many regards would be great. I just can’t offset the cost of towing it at greater then 1000 miles each way as long as I am able to stay in a place that I can cook and stretch out at night. Also the cold weather issue is my other concern doing the camper thing. Dogs are set up for sleeping in the truck so not needing a place that allows dogs inside is one upside for us.
 
Have looked at this many times over. No doubt the camper side offers lots of flex and in many regards would be great. I just can’t offset the cost of towing it at greater then 1000 miles each way as long as I am able to stay in a place that I can cook and stretch out at night. Also the cold weather issue is my other concern doing the camper thing. Dogs are set up for sleeping in the truck so not needing a place that allows dogs inside is one upside for us.

I know it's a bit off-topic, but what is your setup for dogs sleeping in the truck?
 
Another option to consider are cabins for rent at state and county campgrounds. Some of these cabins are only available in early fall but some are available into winter months. The amenities vary but these cabins are very affordable.
 
Last edited:
I know it's a bit off-topic, but what is your setup for dogs sleeping in the truck?
I often wonder too how guys get along with dogs in the trucks over a hunt. I've got enough dogs now that hotels kill me with fees and just the hassle with kennels and crap is a pain. My box is not small but they definitely can't stretch out in them and on cold nights I'm not sure how they would do over several days. Not a bleeding heart but I've always felt like letting them stretch out a little in a bigger kennel and warm up at night probably helps them stay motoring and sound over a long trip of several days.
 
I often wonder too how guys get along with dogs in the trucks over a hunt. I've got enough dogs now that hotels kill me with fees and just the hassle with kennels and crap is a pain. My box is not small but they definitely can't stretch out in them and on cold nights I'm not sure how they would do over several days. Not a bleeding heart but I've always felt like letting them stretch out a little in a bigger kennel and warm up at night probably helps them stay motoring and sound over a long trip of several days.
I would never put my best friend in a kennel. Thumbs down on that.
 
Back
Top