Is a Drop Camp Right for You?

Drop camps are a great option for the hunter looking to make a hunt without all the headaches of setting up camp. Having a soft place to land and a hot meal at the end of a hard day of hunting goes a long way and that’s exactly what a drop camp provides. However, an honest assessment of your skills and ability to be successful on your own are in order before taking the plunge. Read on to learn if you have what it takes to be a successful drop camp hunter.

What is a Drop Camp?

A drop camp, also known as a spike camp, is typically 1-3 wall tents an outfitter has set up in a hunting area and made available for the hunters’ use. Hunting from a drop camp takes the guesswork out of the old “where do I even start?” question and puts hunters in game rich areas. Cots, a woodstove, and cooking gear are usually included. The hunters generally supply their own food and gear and are responsible for their own hunting, cooking, and meat care if the hunt is successful. Drop camps tend to run about half the cost of a fully guided hunt, so, if you are up to the challenge and extra work, they are a good option for hunters on a budget.

Who Should Book a Drop Camp Hunt?

J.T. Robbins of Allout Outfitters in Montrose, Colorado offers clients both guided and drop camp hunting opportunities for elk and mule deer. He said that a drop camp is “a really good option for a hunter who is fairly confident in his abilities and woodsmanship. It’s not something I would recommend to a guy that’s new to coming out here and going hunting and not familiar with what he’s getting himself into.” He went on to say that the vast nature of western hunting areas is often intimidating to hunters used to chasing backyard whitetails and turkeys in the east.

Robbins said, “For a guy that’s been out here on a guided hunt before, had a little bit of experience and kind of knows what they’re getting into, it’s a really great option.”

Who Shouldn’t Book a Drop Camp Hunt?

If you’re new to hunting, or hunting the west, a drop camp may not be the best option for you. Robbins said, “A lot of guys get overconfident. If you’re really not confident in your ability to maneuver through the woods and use GPS systems and map systems, a lot of guys don’t venture very far from camp because it’s intimidating for them to get very far away on their own. There’s a lot of guys out there that have more confidence in their do-it-yourself abilities than what they actually have and they wind up getting in over their head a little bit.” Before booking a drop camp hunt, an honest assessment of your abilities is in order. If you don’t feel you have what it takes, that’s okay. Book a guided hunt.

Know What’s Included

All drop camps are not created equal. Make sure you understand what’s included in your hunt before booking the trip. For example, some outfitters include meat packing if you kill an animal, others will haul your meat for an additional fee, and, in some drop camps, you’re on your own. Robbins asks clients to answer the questions “Are you physically fit to pack out your own game? Do you have the skills necessary to conduct your own hunt?” before deciding on a drop camp hunt. Being honest with yourself and nailing down a hunt agreement that suits you and your outfitter will help ensure that your dream hunt doesn’t turn into a nightmare.

What do you think? Is a drop camp right for you or would you rather shell out the extra money and have some of the hard work taken care of on a guided hunt? Either way, get out and hunt this fall. You’ll be glad you did.

To book a hunt with Allout Outfitters, contact them at www.guidefitter.com/alloutoutfitters