2015 was a bust season, CWD seemed to be too much of a risk for our favorite hunting areas.This season we will be trying a number of different and more isolated locations.

This brings me to maps and topo work.Never rely on electronics or one of anything. Two is one ,and, one is none. two maps, two compasses are a must.This season will be different we will focus on Dan’s area so he can get some forest time in and food on the table.I will be focusing on GWNF and possibly an elk hunt in Colorado.

For this my firearms of this season will be. My Browning Auto 5 Magnum in 12 Ga.made in Belgium 1967. My Winchester M70 .375 H&H circa 1979 . These two firearms have a splendid history and a stellar reputation for getting the job done no matter the weather conditions.

I will be purchasing a new base camp tent as the last one after 20 years has finally had its last repair. I always set up a base camp with the expectations of having a friend or guest arrive.

1996 that is exactly what happened and I will speak of the events that transpired.

It was late into the hunting season and the weather on the Blue Ridge mountains was getting really nasty.I was hunting a wildlife management area that borders the Appalachian trail . This to me was always a good thing as the random hiker could always stop by grab some grub, rest up, or, use the Ham radio ,or, get a ride into town if need be.

This weather pattern was a prelude to the storm a few days later. It started with a rain which turned to sleet and then ice. I do not know what drives hikers to be out in that unworldly weather. Is it to test themselves? Their gear? Both? Needless to say I was going to strike camp the next morning if the weather thawed.Later on during the night I hear a hello the camp. Growling and mumbling I yell back hello I’m a Camp! Whatcha need ?

They said, just a fire as they couldn’t start one with a broken lighter! Grabbing my boots I headed out the tent and proceeded to greet them and stoke the fire. I had plenty of wood under the tarp and used it to make a good base and put out a great amount of heat. Then nature decided to let us have it.In fact there was no getting off of that mountain for a solid six days. I made some good friends that year. The value of a camp tent is that it sleeps 12 comfortably or less with gear. Your tent, you set camp with, may just save a life.