Building Hunt Camp - The Beginning

Building a place to call hunt camp means many things to many people. It is both geographical and generational. Southern hunters often gather in old farm houses or barns and convert them into a "hunt cabin". Some utilize older mobile homes or campers and circle the wagons in some configuration at a designated location for their camp.

Ridge proud of his work
setting poles on out cabin

I opted for something different. My land was barren of old farm buildings so that option was out, and being somewhat frugal (some of my friends would say cheap) I wanted to build a nice cabin as inexpensively as possible. Thus we have in progress the re-purposed or scavenged cabin. Over the next couple of weeks I will cover the step by step process of building this cabin. In cast some of you are looking for a great off season project, this one will fit the bill.

Ridge pouring concrete
around poles

Interestingly enough it was fairly simple, scouring through want ads and craigslist I searched for old buildings that people wanted torn down. Before I found one, my brother happened upon one that the owner said we could have if we tore it down. So we gathered and began dismantling the old metal garage and transported it to my land for reconstruction.

The best part of building a cabin is you can design it however you like. The garage we dismantled was 20x30 with a 10 ft section closed in and the remainder open bays. After some consideration we built the current cabin 20x24 with it completely closed in. The width was fixed due to the length of the trusses, simple math showed how big we could build the cabin using the existing metal to cover the entire building.

The re-purposed garage come with the metal sides, 4 trusses, one metal man door, and the nailing strips and posts. When we began reconstruction I replaced all posts with new treated posts and sifted through the nailing strips (2x6) and replaced the ones that needed to be replaced. Then construction began on my re-purposed pole building/hunting cabin

Step one: Layout - this part is so critical i cannot stress it enough  - I say that because I made a mistake and it has proven costly in effort and expense. Make sure when you layout your building it is completely square (Actually it can be a rectangle but it needs to be equal in all measurements) believe me one half inch can make things very difficult.

Step two: Setting posts - Here you need to make sure the posts are set perfectly plumb and at a sufficient depth. (I hesitate to say how deep because it can depend on your soil quality - plus I do not want to be liable) Pour concrete around each post and let set. Sufficient bracing is needed to hold the posts plumb during the concrete setting process. I would allow the posts to set several days before continuing.

Next we will pick up at putting the bands in place and setting your trusses.

What's Your Dream Hunt

            As a hunter I am often asked by fellow hunters and non hunters a question. It’s the one I have heard hundreds of times and if you are like me, you have heard it too. If you have ever sat around a campfire, or stared into the sparking night sky, the question has been asked. If you have ever been drawn into conversation about hunting with non-hunters you have been asked directly. What is your dream hunt?

            The question lunges into our mind as we spit our verses of animals on far away continents that we want to chase. Stanzas of species and locations roll from our tongues as we recite a chorus of adventures we long for. There are species whose heads we would like to grace our trophy rooms, or whose hides we want covering our floors. We discuss length of horn, size of skull, beards, spurs, and leg bands. I have heard them all, or at least close to them all. Leopards in Namibia, elephants in Botswana, doves in Argentina, Red Stag in New Zealand, Grizzly bear in Alaska you name it and there are some who want to hunt these marvelous animals. As long as there have been hunters there have been dreams of hunts to come.

            Perhaps you too have been asked this question and you conjure dreams of the Dark Continent or 180” whitetail bucks. Flashes of skies filled with waterfowl of every species. There are thoughts of bugling bulls, gobbling turkeys, and thundering herds. Shots that are true and adventures achieved. If you are like me, you have spent hours perusing the internet looking for opportunities. Back country elk in Montana, pronghorn in Wyoming, Impala in South Africa, the list is never ending and is as diverse as hunters themselves.

            Recently I had this question asked of me again, and it occurred to me, that while I would love to go to Africa and hunt plains game or New Zealand for Red stag, I dream of chasing big grizzly bears in the Alaskan tundra. The reality is that my dream hunt is – the next one.

            Whether it’s chasing squirrels through oak ridge’s, or bow hunting whitetails in a hardwood bottom. The thrill of the hunt isn’t defined by the quarry rather by the experience. Memories made, moments cherished. I have hunted many different species in several states and one thing is constant, whether it’s after moose in Alaska or feral pigs in my native South Carolina, the thrill of being there is equal. Hunters know that while taking game is part of what we do, it is only a part. The real thrill comes with the experience. So the next time I am in a conversation about hunts, places and species, and I am asked what my dream hunts is, I will look simply and honestly and say,  “The next one.” What’s yours?

The Day's Finally Here

          This hunt was a little over thirteen years in the making. To the casual observer, it would seem pretty uneventful and nonchalant. But for me, it was a difficult day that took over a decade to achieve.

       

   It started on September 17, 2000, the day my father died. While he wasn't what you would call a hunter, he did own a shotgun and used it occasionally at the dove fields near our home. A Remington Sportsman 12 gauge with two matching barrels, and while he seldom used it, it was still his and it became mine on that day. With little fanfare I brought it home, made a simple rack for it and hung it above a closet door in my office where it has stayed ever since. Its annual cleaning notwithstanding, it has never loaded a shell, fired a shot, or see the out of doors since I brought it home.

          There were many occasions when I thought about it. Many opportunities to take it down and carry it afield but it just never felt right. I resolved that when the time was right to take it afield I would know, and then I would honor him and the moment appropriately.

          The day arrived shortly after Christmas. My youngest son received his first shotgun for Christmas. A hunt was planned to take his first gun on a squirrel hunt, I knew instantly that this was the occasion I had been waiting for. While it was a pretty uneventful day, as hunting goes, the emotions of the day ran as deep as a river carving through an ancient canyon, I knew it was time.

          In the predawn light we walked, cradling our guns like a new father holds his first child. A rush of memories flooded my brain as we plodded to our destination. My mind hastily sprinted back to the sights, sounds and smells of our last dove hunt together. I could smell the tobacco that penetrated the faded dukbax vest. Its stretched shell loops and baggy pockets held his brier safely, smoldering with its last puff.  Visions of the old Remington sounding off in the dove field as the doves piled up. Seldom needing fifteen shots to reach his limit of twelve, he was indeed a fine wingshot. Something I most certainly didn't inherit with the gun.

          On this day, we gathered against an ancient oak, sitting side by side as the day awakened. I found it hard to concentrate on the moment at hand, instead finding myself flooded with emotion, missing deeply my dad while embracing the moment with my son. How I wish dad could have lived to see my son. This gun and a few stories are the only things my son has of his grandfather. It was fitting that we were here together, on this day, at this moment. While I am not sure Ridge understood the emotion I was feeling, he welcomed the opportunity to try to connect with his grandfather. Even once offering me the chance to shoot a squirrel first before him so I could feel my dad’s gun recoil once more. After all, this was the gun I used to kill my first squirrel, my first turkey, and many other animals. Smiling I thanked him and told Ridge this was his day, and his grandfather and I were more than happy to yield our opportunities to him. Nothing would thrill me or him more, than for Ridge to get his first squirrel with his new gun on this day.

          As the day lingered the squirrels didn't cooperate well at all. We hunted hard for several hours covering a lot of ground in search of some willing participants. Finally, just before noon, we topped a ridge and saw four bushytails scampering around below us. Unaware of our presence, we made our stalk. As fate has its way of working things out, each of us got a squirrel at this encounter.

          Indeed the moment was right. We paused hugged one another took a few pictures and cherished the moment. To be sure, the timing was right, and dad’s gun etched into the timeline of our family a moment that will last for another generation. I am confident it won’t be long before I once again get down the ole Remington and escort it once again into the fields and forest. And cherish the opportunity to carry my dad along as we continue the legacy. 

It’s Squirrel Time

    

Ridge Rogers with
fine squirrel

      Like many outdoorsmen growing up in the south. I cut my teeth on hunting squirrels. I remember vividly, grabbing my Remington Fieldmaster pump .22 rifle and heading out into the wilds of Saluda county in search of bushytails. Nothing was more exciting than sitting against an old oak watching squirrels scamper about in the early morning light.

          I wish I had a nickel for every bullet that has been put through that old .22. I would guess it’s easily in excess of fifteen-thousand rounds. And I would also safely estimate that at least a full third of those connecting on their intended target of squirrels. As a teenager growing up in a non-hunting family, my opportunities for exposure was limited. So for the first ten plus years I chased squirrels. Having only one gun, my options were indeed limited. This didn’t curtail my passion for the outdoors. Reading the annuals of Pat Robertson, Terry Madewell and others from around our state, the desire to be out there was intense.

          I am thankful that the desire to be out there hasn’t waned, if anything it has grown more intense. This includes the chasing of squirrels. To this day, I fully enjoy and look forward to a good ole squirrel hunt. Sure the Remington is semi-retired and I have other guns that I use. But there is something about the squirrel hunt that still excites me.

          As deer hunters, hunting squirrels in the post season is one of the best methods of scouting. By using stealth and quiet tactics we are able to scout the terrain for bucks, bedding areas and travel corridors. I wish I could remember how many great deer stand locations I found while squirrel hunting. It also enables those of us who still cherish the still hunting methods to hone our skills. By stalking into range of squirrels we fine tune our stalking skills for other game.       

          Many different types of weapons are used for squirrel hunting. Obviously there are the rimfire rifles of .22 featuring all three sizes of short, long and long rifle. Then there are the magnum rimfires (my personal favorites) of the .17 HMR and the .22 Magnum. While many see this as too much gun, these magnum cartridges enable far longer shots, with quick kills. I know with my Marlin .22 magnum, if I can see the squirrel, I can kill him. While I still prefer to sneak in as close as possible, I like the added advantage of knowing if need be, I can humanly take the shot.

Longbow and squirrels

          I know others who prefer shotguns for squirrels. These are very effective and contrary to what other writers may say, there is nothing unsporting about using a shotgun for squirrels. While the 12 gauge dominates the scene, personally I prefer the smaller gauges of the 20 and even the 28 for squirrels. Regardless of the gauge, hunters need to remember that squirrels have tough hides and loads of 6 shot are best for squirrels.

          For the hard core squirrel hunter there are those who hunt them with muzzleloaders, with the .36 caliber being about perfect, and those who use .22 handguns, and still others who will use archery equipment for squirrels. While I personally have never tried the muzzleloader for squirrels, I have used the handgun and longbow and will say the added challenge is humbling and thrilling.

          Regardless of the weapon of choice or the method, chasing squirrels during the late season is a great way to get outdoors and an even better way to introduce the next generation to the sport we all love so much.