How do you feel about women and hunting camp?

[born2hunt65]

Well there should be alot of opions on this subject. Be honest everyone, how do you feel about women and staying at hunting camp. I am allowed to stay a few days. I hunt alone, run my own baits, and gut my deer myself. The only time I need help is if my deer is too heavy to get on my wheeler by myself. I carry my own weight so when there is room at camp I am allowed to stay but am reminded what a privilege it is. I agree to some extent but think it's unfair to be penalized simply because of my sex. I do the same as any guy out there and more. So I was woundering how everyone else feels about this issue. Be honest but take it easy on me guys, lol. Born.

[This message has been edited by born2hunt65 (edited 02-14-2000).]

I would have no problem with that at all. As long as you carried your own weight I can't see how the guys could say anything else. Besides it actually could be a plus to have a woman around in camp ;)

[trout]

I'm taking Cindy my best outdoor gal, deer hunting next year.She has turkey hunted and pheasant hunted and she fishes with me. I rented a cabin on Drummond Island, so we can Grouse hunt and Deer hunt.I think if more women enjoyed the outdoors with their men all would be happier.

[Steve]

Yeah, I'd about fall out of my chair if my wife said she wanted to go to deer camp. I think it would be great, but its not going to happen.

[Erik]

Alot of my hunting partners don't even carry there own weight!!!! For example: I once took my friend with me to the U.P. By the time we got there he was passed out from over indulging in the hooch. I was the designated driver so I of course was straight. Despite several attempts to wake his dumb #$$, I finally set up our entire camp in the rain by myself. Add to that the fact that it was about 3:00AM. I would have slept in the truck but there wasn't enough room. Yes he did get an earfull the next day! I've taken my wife on a number of occasions. She doesn't hunt but she likes to fish. And best of all she's never passed out on me!

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Phish

[born2hunt65]

Well I got to tell yah, you guys have suprised me so far with your positive response to having your women accompany you to camp. In the UP alot of guys are not like that.
I agree with you that who ever man or women that wants to hunt should carry their own weight, no body wants to babysit when it comes to hunting. Maybe I am a mutant but I run baits, go to my blind by myself , sit alone, shoot and clean my game alone, and load my game on my buggy alone (unless it's too heavy). That's the way I was taught. I do as the guys do, don't get me wrong anyone who asks for help in camp gets help, we all help out each other. I guess what I am saying the guys don't treat me like a girl who they have to hold my hand, they treat me like a hunter.
Thumbs up to you guys who want to share this great experience of hunting with us girls and are not of including us in some of your male rituals, LOL (no offence intended). Born :)

[hypox]

I don't care if there are women at hunting camp...Just as long as my girlfriend doesn't know ;)

[born2hunt65]

Good one Hypox you made me laugh with that one. Born

[Yooper]

My wife hunts and fishes with me, actually even without me. We hunt from our house but would have no problems bringing her to camp if I belonged to one.
I think it is great that more women are getting into hunting, its about time!!!!

[born2hunt65]

Yooper, are you sure your from the UP, LOL. The guys around here sure don't feel that way. It is nice to see there are fellas out there that want to include their wife or girlfriend in the festivities of deer camp. Born

[Lindsey]

I've hunted from camps where girls weren't welcome. They were long established camps where the guys had "traditional" relationships.
Women are welcome at our camp, if they don't mind the guys being guys. It's a two room camp and we don't stand on much ceremony. If it itches, it gets scratched, discretely. Everybody pitches in and things get done. We are careful about who we invite to camp. There are folks of both genders who are great friends but I wouldn't want to share close quarters with for deer season. My wife agrees.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I don't have a problem with it, provided that the idea of "roughing it" doesn't meet with a lot of whining and complaining. Let me just say that that first comment goes for both sexes! My daughter is 8 years old, and she loves to fish, and she keeps asking when will she be old enough to go hunting. I only hope that she still has the desire in 4 years when she is old enough. she loves to go to outdoorama (she has already started begging me to take her-she likes to shoot the bows and arrows, fish in the trout pond, and shoot the air rifles), and we shoot the pellet gun in the basement. She likes to help me when I am training the dogs. I think that she would be a welcome addition to any camp (esp. if she learns to cook like her mom). I do try and provide a few creature comforts, such as fishing lakes that have portapotties at the parking areas when we go fishing together. Heres hoping for the future!

[trout]

Sounds like shes on the right path.As for the porta potties go, get a Luckys type pop up blind.They set up in seconds and provide a safe secure way to go.With dad standing watch nearby she can always hunt and fish in safe comfort.

[cande99]

Hi everyone :)
I enjoyed reading the responses about females at camp. I am the only female bowhunter out of eleven members at our camp.
No, I don't do the cooking, we have a male cook and he does a super job! Everyone plays a part in holding the camp together, and it's working. I am very proud of the male members(and their wifes) for letting me share this opportunity. I love to hunt and they have made it possible. Thanks guys :)

[born2hunt65]

Welcome Cande99 to the Michigan-sportsman. Sounds like you have a real nice group of guys you hunt with. I am actually suprised by the positive responce I have gotten regarding women and hunting camp. I exspected to get alot of negative feedback. I'm sure glad to see all guys are not like the ones in my town,Born.

[DeerCrazy]

Born,
I'm glad you asked this question. It has taken me 15 years to talk my wife into trying deer hunting. First she shot her bow for two years and she was sitting in a tree last year!! She didn't get a shot off, but I did push a doe out to her. We also built a small cabin up by Ludington last year, will have running water this year. She says that she will also try hunting with a rifle this year as long as the cabin has water. I personlly enjoy having my wife in camp, in 3 years it will be my wife, son and myself along with 3 or 4 others in camp.

Mike

[born2hunt65]

DeerCrazy that's so kool that you want to involve your wife in hunting. It's also great to hear you have a camp she is welcome at. Your a super guy, Born.

[deerless]

My perspective on this subject is that it depends on the women. About 3 years ago my brother brought his girlfriend and her best freind to deer camp. They did nothing but complain. It started early when they complained about our high calorie breakfast. Then the complained about how we wanted to go to bed so early. And just to top it off on the last day the truth that one of the girls was an antihunter came out. However I am sure that there are many other women out there that are very compatable with a deer camp. Just be carful in the decision making process.

deerless

[born2hunt65]

Deerless you are so right hunting camp is not for everyone, man or women. My husband's camp is just a little old mining shack. It has no electricity, running water, and you have to use an out house. There is nothing fancy about it. Despite it's crudness I love that little shack. There is a closeness and bonding that goes on that you really don't experience at any other time of year. The time I've spent there and the memories I have I will cheerish for the rest of my life.
There's nothing like the four of us sitting there playing cards, drinking a beer, and telling stories. Everyone cooks and cleans. I'm the only women there and they never treat me like a maid, I'm one of the guys when there. I think some women are under the belief hunting camp is like the Ramada Inn,LOL. I think when they see what it's really like the snoring at night, beer farts, and big tales that are told they are truely disappionted. I love camp and Thank my husband and his two friends for allowing me to stay, they will never know how much that time means to me. Born

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If it's brown it's down. If it flies it dies.

[The Nailer]

Born - I'll be married 30 years in May and would love it if my wife spent some time in camp. My camp is made up primarily of my sons and nephews and I'm not sure she could put up w/ them for the whole week. She does come up w/ me one weekend a year during bow season, but it's generally just her and I. I think the responses you received so far probably represent a more mature group of guys that long ago let go of all the macho nonsense, in fact this board as a whole is a pleasure to surf because of the people that frequent it. The people here(both male and female) are what hunting and hunters are really about. Good Hunting, The Nailer

[Steve]

I am very proud of how sportsmen and women have been conducting themselves on these boards. User registration is a pain for the people who run the boards and for the users but I think it helps.

[born2hunt65]

Actually Nailer and Steve I was really suprised by the positive feedback from this post. I really exspected that I would get alot of negative statements regarding women and hunting camp. I was ready tho, lol. I'm still waiting for my husband to post his opion but I don't think he'll go there. Anyway thanks to all the guys and their mature attitudes :) . I'm proud to be part of the Michigan-Sportsman. Born

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If it's brown it's down. If it flies it dies.

[Hunter333]

When I first asked my now wife to come to camp with me she about died! Not because I asked but because she is not from a hunting camping family. The rest of the guys brought their wives too and it was a blast! It was nice having my wife there to sleep with and well you know,....... show her the first deer that she has seen that isnt at a farm :) I dont know that she would go again but she seemed to enjoy herself just the same. I think that more women should go with their husbands and more husbands should quit being macho SOB's!

[DEERSLAYER]

My girlfriend is going to bow hunt with me this year.At first I thought is was a good idea but I,m not sure now.If I can't get the same day's off as she can she would probly take our new camper and go without me! And she might hunt my spot!!!

[Curdog]

I haven't hunted hardly at all without my wife in the last two years. She is great in the woods, knowledgeable, and observant. She is also a fine shot. This year she feels she is ready to do some handgun hunting for deer.

[born2hunt65]

Hunter333 I could not agree with you more. I am from a VERY small town in the Up and I am sorta a freak because I love to hunt and like to stay at deer camp. Me and the ole man go at it every year because I want to stay on my days off and it is wrong I'm told. Every year I get to stay tho :).
So many men here are afraid I think to allow their ladies to partake in the activities of deer camp, why I'm not exactly sure. I don't want to start a major dispute here so I'll keep those opions to myself. Just let me say the men who submitted a responce should be very proud of themselves and the fact that they are not intimitated by allowing their ladies to hunt and go to camp. I wish more guys were like you here. Your wives and girlfriends are very lucky ladies. Thanks for your responces, Born.

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If it's brown it's down. If it flies it dies.

[bkhunter]

Born, I am lucky enough to have a girlfriend who is very much into archery and her daughter is always with me scouting in the pre-season. You could not believe the eyes this 4 year old has. She's going turkey hunting with me this weekend. And Mom is waiting to get her new hunting rig, just a bit more overtime for me. Women are just as welcome as men in my camps as long as they don't bring the peeefume and hair dryers.LOL.

[born2hunt65]

Bkhunter,sounds like you got a mini huntress on your hands,lol. What kinda of hunting rig is your girlfriend getting? Does she like to use the puter much, if so tell her to sign up here. I'd like to have a few more females to chat hunting with. All the guys here are great but there are situations that come up that are specific to a female that would be nice to talk to about. No offence guys :).

[bkhunter]

Luv2hunt, We just got her the new Mathews Fx in target colors to see how she would shoot with this compared to her Hoyt. Looks like I'll be ordering the camo Fx as soon as we sell the Hoyt. I'm trying to get her on the puter more if so I'll send her directly over here.

Sean

[born2hunt65]

Bkhunter sounds great. Hope to see her soon here.

[Joe Archer]

My wife is welcome anytime. We have in the past shot on archery leagues together (she is fantastic). She only "hunted" one time, but "couldn't shoot anything". Anyway, waaaaay back when we were engaged she was up north with me when I was bow hunting. I took my first buck that year. When i got back to the cabin dragging the deer, she ran out..started dancing around cheering.."you got one...you got one...I cant believe it". I think she was more excited than I was. heck, she didnt even know how much she LOVED venison back then either. <---<<<

[born2hunt65]

Sounds great Joe. As I've said before you guys are great. The part of the UP where I am located the women are more than welcome to hunt but hunting camp is quite another story. As a women you may come and visit but out you go when it gets too late. I guess it's hard for some guys to give up the tradition that hunting camp is just for men. I guess it also has to due with there really are not too many women out there that want to stay in an ole hunting camp. My one dream before I die is to purchase my own plot of land where I can set up a camp of my own. I know I'll always be welcome in my own camp unless I make myself mad, lol. Anyway I said it before but I'll say it again you guys are the best with your attitudes and I am proud to be part of the Michigan-Sportsman forum. Born

[ag2053]

I know that my boyfriend wants me to hunt and wants to hunt with me. I also know that he looks forward to deer camp with the guys and a special week for birds. I respect that and know that he supports me setting up my own girls only deer camp. He says it will be a unique bonding experience. With that in mind, next fall will be the first official opening of my very own deer camp. I'm scouting for blinds already!!!

[Stalker]

I would love to have my wife stay at deer camp. This would not be her first choice of quality time spent together of course. She does not hunt herself but does enjoy the out of doors. I believe I may have come up with the possible compromise. TURKEY CAMP. This also happens to be deer camp. Not the same time but the same place. The weather should be a little more gentle. Anyway my hunting partner Sarge and I have asked our wives to come along for the fall turkey hunt. We have not got a for sure yes, but it is looking good. Who knows in a few years maybe they will make it to deer camp.

Stalker

[Liv4Huntin']

This is a very pleasant surprise to find this site. I've been the only female hunter at deer camp for many years....my husband doesn't hunt much, but does go along some times 'just to hang out' or be 'camp cook'. I'm glad to hear there are other gals out there that LOVE the sport as much as I do!!! Sometimes there are 6 or 7 guys at camp (mostly family) and they all seem to treat me as one of 'the guys'...We've been to the UP on a few trips, but our 'regular' deer camp is in Barry County, and most years are 'successful'. I field dress all my own deer and usually my father's too....he's probably my best 'hunting buddy'. (We both got our turkeys this spring - turkey camp was up in area K.) I deer hunt with everything possible, from bow to muzzleloader and handgun - and camera off-season. I'm glad to hear so many fellas speak positively about women hunters....it's time more of us spoke up about our love of hunting.

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Mary

[Curdog]

Good to have you posting!