Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Wall Tents

I have been reading this site for a while, but this is my first post. I have only been on one elk hunt and that was twenty years ago. We backpacked about six miles from the trailhead and were all successful. I know that I couldn't physically handle that hunt now. I want to go on a traditional hunt with a wall tent, stove ect. I have been looking at a lot of websites for different tents. What do you guys prefer? I am looking for input on brands, stoves, stovepipe jack placement, frame options, doors, windows, floors ect. Do you like grommets or d-rings, what weight canvas and what size. We will probably have three or four people. Should we have two seperate tents, one for cooking and one for sleeping, or just one big tent.

I'm sorry for all of the questions, but I wanted advice from people that use these tents, not just people trying to sell them. It would be great if you could include pictures of what you use and why you like it. Thanks

It depends how many people you plan on as far as size. I have a 10x12 and it's great for two people. A 14x16 is great for 3 people. Talking with woodstove, and a table set up for cooking. Either size can take one more easily though it's less luxerious.

Reliable Tent and Awning in Montana made mine. Actually, mine is their basic, simple model sewn in, I believe, India. It has a window (you want that) but is otherwise quite plain. I have an internal frame, which I bought their angle kit for then cut the "straights" myself from electrical conduit. I did the whole thing for under $600.

Davis tents are highly regarded and last year, had some good sales going.

A wall tent with a woodstove, a good cot, and a big sleazy flannel-lined sleeping bag are heaven when you get back to camp after all day busting hump in the snow.

Brands:Eena,Davis or Relliable
10 oz canvas, sod flap,no floor
Stove jack in an end wall,not ceiling.
Doors on both ends
Two samller tents are beter than one big one as party grows and shrinks.
11 x 15 is minimum size for three guys.
Don't go over size on wood stove. A small stove can run you out of a 11X16 tent.
If you are at all handy,there are variety of ways to make your own poles/frame

i like reliable, have a glacier and a yellowstone on the way

Davis 14x16 with internal frame, screened front door and screened windows sides and back for ventilation in warmer weather, Colorado door, no sewn in floor (tarps are cheap and easy to clean).

Cylinder Stove Outfitter package
Cabela's Outfitter XL cot w/ tree and night stand
3" foam pad, Sportman's Warehouse bag
Roll top table inside
Lifetime 6' table outside w/ a couple water cans and a few folding chairs
Propane stove and lantern with both 1lb cylinders and larger tank with tree and dist. hoses
collapsible garbage can w/liners

Great looking setup, Waputi!

My buddy has a Salem Tent and Awning tent that we use a bunch. Very high quality, also very spendy.

I have a small cast-iron "home" type woodstove. Have not used it yet though.

I use a Cabela's Alaknak 12x12. Works great for 3 guys, 4 works but starts to get tight. It has a sewn in floor and windows. Bought the added vestibule and it's perfect for storing wood, packs etc. Comes with 2 windows, but I cant ever remember opening the flaps to be honest.

I have a OLD sheepherders stove that keeps it very warm, and is light enough to pack in (on a horse). It also stores everything inside the stove for easier transport. Legs, shelves, stovepipe, goes right inside and fits perfectly in a pannier.

If packing in to a camp isnt a concern I would go with a thicker (and much heavier) barrel type stove. They hold the heat in the stove much longer once the fire dies down.

Thanks guys. Great looking camp Waputi, I already have the cots, propane stove and lantern, tables and chairs, now I have to save up for the tent(s) stove and frame. Saddlesore, why do you prefer teh stovepipe out of the end wall? I am not trying to argue with anyone, but would like to know the pros and cons of teh different set ups. I do like the idea of two smaller tents as compared to one big one. Last time I was in the mountains I don't think we could have found a spot for a really big tent.

Putting the stove-jack out the side or back wall may save you some burn holes in the canvas from floating embers. Also makes it easier to stretch a tarp over the entire tent. Not enough of an issue for me to change at this point, but might consider it if I ever decide to purchase another tent.

I like the stove jack in the end as it is easier to tarp the tent,less burn holes. When and if ( and you wil) have to clean the pipe,it is easier to get to. By not cutting a hole in the top of the tent, you preclude weakening the top in the event of a heavy snow. Not much, but the possibility does exist and I have stayed in tents during some heavy snow storms. No worry if you are an early season hunter. However, you might want to put gear or an extra cot in the area of a cieling stove jack when not using a stove and rain gets in a lot easier. Besides, unless you have one heck of a big tent, the stove usually goes in one end anyhow.

I have stayed in wall tents in excess of 40 years of hunting and can'r even begin to count the number of nights. I pass on what has has worked for me, but others might have just as good ideas or thoughts.

The only point I'd argue with is the weakening of the roof, especially with an internal frame. Not saying it couldn't happen, but it'd take one hell of a snow storm to tear through the jack Davis puts in their tents.

I actually made a mistake and ordered my stove-jack one size too big for my pipe when I ordered from Davis and didn't realize it until I took the tent out on it's maiden voyage (see my first picture in the above posts and you can see the pipe leaning off toward the north 40). I made it through that hunt by running bailing wire from the pipe to the tent frame and later remedied the problem by purchasing the right size military style jack from Cylinder Stoves, which I sewed on the inside of the fiberglass jack that was already in place. It took me a little while using a stitch awl, but the end result is dang near bombproof and turned out great. The new jack has some sort of a fireproof gasket that seals tightly against the pipe and keeps out rain.

Always funny when a backpacker reads a wall tent thread... how much room folks need..... grins...

We have a 12x14 Davis. Works just fine for 5.

My son-in-law has the same tent as Waputi, without the side windows. 4 of us used it for Colorado 1st Rifle season and had plenty of room. 4 Cabelas Outfitter XL cots and all the gear didn't begin to get crowded. Used propane heat and had a large two burner gas cook unit. WE put down tarps with outdoor carpeting over that for the entire floor. This was the 3rd trip with the tent and it's been great.

Here are the best frame angles around. The one inch angles are perfect for one inch conuit and the eye bolts make it very easy to put up the frame. Even with a 14'x16'x5' tent, one man can put it up.


http://www.creativeshelters.com/Fittings/Canopy-Fitting.aspx

I think the Three Dogs stoves are tops, too.

L.W.

Any significant differences between the Davis and the Reliable? I see they are pretty comparable in price.

I went by the Montana Canvas shop a couple of weeks ago and they looked good, but I am just learning. Seems their tents are $200 to $300 more?

I have one of each and prefer the Davis.
If I was buying now I'd have one with doors on both end, storm flaps, and the stove jacks out the ends.
After a few seasons you learn the things you like and dislike about your tents.
Having one with the doors on each end lets you put the tents together and pretty much have one large tent, or keep them apart for privacy

I'm in awe over your set up..I go way back in wall tents using them to live on the job and hunting.I even stayed one winter working in a Sheepherders wagon.A very good friend of mine stayed at 6,000 feet above McCall Idaho in several feet of snow and -20 temps on State ground..His secret was a plastic barrier and he only used the traditional sheepherders stove with the oven in the rear.

These new tents are eye candy to me.I love to look at them.I have a 10X12 with 5 ft walls built by the canvas guy in McCall.I built my own frames on different tents from pecker poles to 2X4's to conduit pipe.I have had Marine canvas tents also,don't no if they even sell them anymore.

Times have really changed and for the better in wall tents.Don't see how a guy could go wrong with any of the modern versions.

Jayco

Here is one reason I don't like the stove jack in the roof. This was not my tent and in this season,the canvas was always sagging from the snow where we could not tarp it. On the the tarped end, the snow slid off. The other photo was a bigger tent along with a smaller one that we had a big propane heater in. Other members of the ownership used it, but put a stove jack dead center in the roof and I disliked it after that. We finally sold it and I bought one myself.

Most any of the brand name wall tents will work in nice weather as shown in the earlier post,but put one to the test in weather such as these photos show and you will need a good one.

I have two Davis tents and love them. I believe they are the best tents made. I have the internal frames and the cylinder stoves, they work great. The guys at Davis are great and really stand behind their products. I personally wouldn't consider anything but a Davis tent. You should definately consider getting the storm flap too. A great tent for a great price.

Our party favors individual eating and sleeping quarters. We can wine and dine a party of 5 in absolute comfort with a 12 x 14 with 5 ft walls. It would be a real pinch to sleep them there too, but we have done everything in a 12 x 14 with a party of 4 on horse pack trips. A PIA to put up sleeping gear every morning or worry about spills etc if cots are used as tables and chairs. No one in our party is going to tend an overnight fire either, so we simply use good bags in an unheated tent and sleep the night away.

Canvas weight depends on intended use. Lighter weights are better for horse packing, but if one is solely trucking stouter (12+ oz) is better. Something few think of is shrinking ones tent (pitch it and wet and dry it about 3 times on a hot summer day - lawn sprinklers both in and outside). Makes it even more water proof, and one knows it will always fit his frame.

We don't care for floors because one has to be a neat freak and worry constantly about punctures from table/cot/chair legs, dropped fire wood, etc. Spilled coffee, grease, and mud are not an issue on a bed of mother natures pine needles, and one can run in and out at will with his boots on. Box all dry goods and paper, because rodents WILL find you after about 3 days. Lots of great brands out there, so just look for what floats your boat. There are great tent and awning makers in nearly every western state. One can save a fortune if someone in your party can fabricate a frame with electrical conduit.

A few hints:

A flat topped heating stove can double for cooking on pack trips. A collapsing stove will not occupy 6 cubic feet of year round storage space and will still last 20+ yrs. NEVER use an unvented heating source in a tent. Straight pipes vent/draft better than angled pipe and don't need external support. Shelving will help reduce clutter. A plastic fly will help shed snow, but it's not needed if rain is the only consideration. Pitch it on convex high ground that will not puddle in a storm. Use every available tie down point. Be mindful of flame. Fire has ruined many a trip. Independent lanterns and cook stoves are handier than multiple units tethered to a propane tree. Thoroughly dry ones tent before storing it in a mouse proof container (wood box). Keep firearms outside the tent in an unheated but dry locale. Not a better elk camp made in my book. Four hunters and all camp equipment/groceries for 15 days will fit in a single crew cab 1 ton. A well thought out arrangement can be comfortable and compact. No additional trailers needed.

Dining and sleeping quarters with dome tents added as needed.