Cold Hunter, As you can see there is quite a span in what makes a good elk camp according to whose view point you get and what their threshold for comfort is; some take an iron man/minimalist approach like BJ and others like myself really enjoy a very comfy elk camp with all the comforts possible and still sleep in a tent. I respect both positions. Personal preference also follows function; if you are packing "way back" in on horses then you have to take BJ's approach because weight and space is at a premium, but the mobility of packing camp in on horseback lets you range out into more prime elk territory. If you're new and short on money, help, and experience there is likely to be a clumsy year or two before you get it put together"

BJ, I understand the "cowboy up" line (suck it up, stop complaining and get it done without showing any discomfort) - - spent the first 32 years on a cattle ranch - cowboys as a whole are one hardened bunch, working in the cold and taken care of stock every day regardless of the elements, dealing with horses sometimes less than desirable, roping, branding, calving. If luck goes against you it can make you an old man ahead of your time. For those that choose it, its a noble lifestyle and if you choose to apply the same ethic to elk hunting, well, that makes you part of a pretty elite group which is why even though you're "ornery ole cuss" I'm always interested in what you have to say.

On the other hand, some of our other "brothers of the wapiti hunt" may not have the life skills and hardening necessary to handle such iron man approach to elk hunting or even if they did it once and got along okay (with some baby setting = outfitter) it might not be their idea of a "good time or affordable tradition" to be pursued year after year and decade after decade. We need people stay in elk hunting for the long pull and pass on the heritage to the youngin's and others and if a more "sissy-fied" elk camp makes it work for some of them them I'd say its okay. The hardcore elite will be bringing up their recruits at the same time. The more "pro-hunt" and "pro-gun" folks we got the better for all of us.

Good judgement comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!