I have been hunting in wall tents (not owned by me) for years, but I am looking at getting a rig of my own. Over the last year I have been researching the Alaknak and the Bighorn II from Cabelas. I like that they are lighter weight material and that they will take a stove. You can get into them cheaper than a wall tent, as they come with the poles and floor. I would like to know if any of you out there have experience with either of these tents and can tell me some pro's and cons about them.

WileyWapiti wrote:

I have been hunting in wall tents (not owned by me) for years, but I am looking at getting a rig of my own. Over the last year I have been researching the Alaknak and the Bighorn II from Cabelas. I like that they are lighter weight material and that they will take a stove. You can get into them cheaper than a wall tent, as they come with the poles and floor. I would like to know if any of you out there have experience with either of these tents and can tell me some pro's and cons about them.

I talked to a guy using one in the U.P. ( Mich) Deer Hunting. One of the things he didn't like about it was the stove pipe rubber seal. It got hot and melted the seal to the pipe.. Kinda dangerous. The tent is made out of light nylon like your cheaper dome tents. They would be alright in Fall like weather, but I don't know how they would hold up in heavy snow conditions. They had the Big Horn II.

Gidday Wiley. You can't beat living in a tent when hunting mate.....unless of course if you suspect there are bears or other "bitey beasties" about.

I use a 4 man dome tent and that is more than adequate for my needs, although I don't have to hump it anywhere. I have used it in sub-zero C temperatures and although it was cold it is the quality of your sleeping bag that ensures a good night's sleep. Having said that it doesn't snow where I hunt even though it is damn cold in winter.

It you have to hump your tent, and other gear, or are concerned about snow, then I suggest you have a look at a mountaineering tent. I have used The North Face Tents brand, in fact the very ones that were taken to Mt Everest by the Australian Army's alpine team, and they are pretty bloody good. Have a look at this link for guidance on a tent and sleeping bag for extreme weather.

The North Face Tents

Enjoy the camping and your hunt mate.

Cheers, Vince

glockman - thanks for the info, I have also heard that about the Bighorn II on the stove jack rubber ring melting - when you talk to Cabelas - they say it is because people burn their stoves too hot, however, they could not provide to me the temperature rating for the ring. I don't believe that these folks melting the rings are rookies, I think it is a lowest bidder product that they use for that particular part. Thanks again for the feedback.

Vince - I am with you on tent hunting - for me, hunting season doesn't really start until that first night lying there, trying to go to sleep while all those pesky Bull Elk are bugling and the sounds of coyotes trying to sing you to sleep, Aspen leaves whispering sweet nothings in your ear - your head just spinning in hopes of the largest Golden Fleeced Bull to step out on the clearing into your sights - oh yeah, he also walks over as close as he can to a flat rock about truck bed level that provides access to easily haul him out - I don't usually get much sleep the first night. Thanks for the link to the site, look like pretty hardy tents.

At Deer camp we have a couple of service men that go and have access to some army tents, I guess that spoils us, I would love to get one for my self, but when you think about it how much do we use a tent for hunting? ( Not enough, LOL) maybe two weeks out of the year. We try to go to Wyoming every other year for Mulies. I have considered a tent from Cabels's and still do. The price is hard to beat. The floor liner would be a must, Damn mice.. . We heat with a propane heater, and one of the things we don't skimp on is Sleeping Bags, and a good cot. Good Luck: Glock

I am with you, one of the guys here at work - his family is big in the guide business and they have a couple smaller wall tents that they don't use, I am trying to shake him down so they can sell one to me. My buddy got one a couple years ago from a guide that was retiring some tents and getting in a new fleet - $120 later he had a fairly new 12x14 wall tent. I have a killer sleeping bag, cot and pad - it is when you crawl out of the fart sack and make those first steps in the cold that I haven't yet learned to appreciate.

WileyWapiti wrote:

I have a killer sleeping bag, cot and pad - it is when you crawl out of the fart sack and make those first steps in the cold that I haven't yet learned to appreciate.

Have a look at these wall tents mate, although they are significantly dearer than $120.

Wall Tents

There is a trick to warming up when you climb out of the farter first thing in the morning.....sleep either naked or in only a pair of jocks. If you sleep fully clothed and rugged up then when you get out of bed you can only get colder. If you wear next to nothing to bed you warm back up again by rugging up and "layer" dressing. Always works for me...and if you have to jump out in the middle of the night to go for a "wee walk" you frighten everything away so you are safe.

glockman55 wrote:

army tents

Mate, this is the army "tent" I had to use for 26 years.

Cheers, Vince

Cheers, Vince

Vince, Your missing the walls..LOL

Vince:

That looks very similar to the tent I would sleep in as well. When I was with the 82nd Airborne, we would often jump in sometime around midnight, by the time we would set up perimeter security and after I made sure all my little troopers were tucked in safe and sound, it didn't leave much time for old sarge to set up a rack, so I would usually string my poncho between two trees and snuggle up with the chiggers, ticks and leaches. I looked at the site you posted, Montana Canvas is very good, they have also been an option of mine.

Glockman, that looks like a pretty good rig you have there, here is what we use for elk camp and pretty much camping in general. This is a community tent that three of us share, you usually have to get your time in early, that is why I am looking for my own rig - timeshares are fine, but a timeshared tent is kind of a pain!

glockman55 wrote:

Vince, Your missing the walls..LOL

Yeah, I know mate....bit of a bugger isn't it. A hoochie does keep the rain off though, but you need to scratch a small channel around it. You can also select the height you want to have it above ground too....makes it good value in a tactical situation.

Best part is it is nice and light to carry and easy to erect.

Cheers, Vince

I have spent a night or two in a hootchie style tent as well, I guess they served there purpose .
Joe