Pitch a tent

Hunting and fishing trips are great, and one thing that can make them even better is extending those trips. And while staying at a hotel or an Air BnB that’s close to our desired activity is an option, nothing beats staying right in the heart of where we’re hunting or fishing.

Staying off the grid puts us in a whole different mindset, and turns a simple outing into an enhanced experience.

This can be as simple as pitching a tent, sleeping in the back of your truck, or even camping out in a popup camper.

A certain amount of “roughing it” is necessary when getting off the grid, but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer, especially given the quality of today’s outdoor gear.

I’m a big fan of tent camping because it’s about as simple as it gets. In a bag that’s half your size, and sometimes much smaller, you have your shelter, a creature comfort that beats sleeping in the open air, especially if bad weather occurs.

But that doesn’t mean I want to spend my time afield cramped into a pup tent. Once again, in the face of bad weather, roughing it in a small tent is less than ideal. If for no other reason, that’s why I prefer a tent with plenty of room that still packs up easy and takes up a minimal amount of space.

Comfort is key

Bell tents, which look like “glamping style” tents, are perfect for staying off grid. Spacious by their conical design, bell tents have tall ceilings and plenty of open space inside, and aside from the stakes necessary to keep every corner down, only two poles are needed to get all set up.

The most important pole is the center pole. Once the body of the tent is laid out on the ground and the corners are staked down, you walk the center pole inside and push up on the center of the roof. And just like that, the tent immediately takes shape.

The second pole is shorter and is used to hold the door in shape.

Although they are among the largest tents, and certainly the tallest, they are extremely quick and easy to set up. Once those two poles are in place, the design of the tent, along with the drawstrings and stakes, have the tent completely set up and ready for use.

It may sound like overkill, but when I opt to stay off grid, I use a 16-foot Regatta Bell Tent from WhiteDuck Outdoors, even if I’m camping alone.

All of WhiteDuck Outdoors tents are made of DYNADUCK fabric, an 8.5-ounce army duck cotton canvas that is water repellent, and mold and UV resistant. This tent’s poles are shock-corded and made of galvanized steel, so they pack up small, but are extremely strong and durable.

This tent also has enough windows to regulate the temperature, a pre-installed stove jack that allows me to burn wood inside, premium bug mesh, and an electrical cable outlet that allows me to plug in to a generator, solar panels, or a battery bank located outside the tent.

Bell tents are plenty roomy by their very nature, and the 16 footer is bigger than I need for most outings. But it’s the size I choose for a number of reasons.

First, this tent truly sets up in 15 minutes, and packs down small enough that it doesn’t take up too much room in my truck. Because of that, I won’t save any time or noticeable storage space by using anything smaller. So the added size doesn’t cost me anything in terms of time or what else I can bring.

Another reason is because once I’m at my hunting or fishing spot, I plan to stay for numerous days. Camping out in a small tent begins to feel cramped pretty quickly. This tent’s size doesn’t give me cabin fever. And if it rains and I’m stuck inside the tent for hours on end, I don’t feel claustrophobic.

Bring it all

And when I’m camping out at the right time of year, I like to hunt for multiple species, and mix some fishing in as well when possible. This means I simply need to bring more stuff, like different caliber/gauge guns, the ammo required for them, fishing gear, and proper clothing for any of the activities I’m planning to enjoy.

Unfortunately, it’s tough for me to completely clock out of my job for an extended time, so I always have a laptop with me to stay connected when I’m not actively hunting or fishing. So I need room for that as well.

I also often bring my dog with me, so I need a little extra room for her, her bed, and anything else I bring to keep her entertained and happy during the trip.

I’m lucky enough to have some family land where I pitch my tent when I’m hunting and fishing, so that allows me to leave my tent up, sometimes for weeks at a time. That allows me to leave some things in the tent, like a cot, a chair, some cooking gear, etc. Having that extra room, I can do that without it feeling cramped, and it allows me to head to the woods with very little planning when my schedule allows.

And if I do decide to bring a friend or two on a trip, this tent will accomodate us all with no issues.

Because I often leave my tent set up for extended periods, my next goal is to build a wooden platform for it. This will give me a solid, level floor, and that always makes staying in a tent much more enjoyable. It will also cut down on the amount of time I spend looking for the pefect spot to pitch the tent.

Getting off the grid doesn’t need to mean roughing it. Even in a tent, you can live pretty good, as long as it’s roomy enough for you, all your gear, and anyone who may join you at times.