Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Whelen Lean To

That would be cool and fun! I'd make sure I had a backup in case of heavy blowing rain, but you say thats not possible so no biggie. But if you are parked close by the Whelen, you'll be fine if weather is a disaster.

ALways wanted to mess with one for the heck of it.

It takes a pretty steep slope on the front fly to shed rain. It will pool up behind the stretched front edge. You might have to sleep with a long stick to reach up and lift it to drain the water every now and again.

some good points there.

I cut sticks from home depot lumber so I won't be dependent upon cutting down thin trees, although finding a pair of big trees spaced just right should be feasible in northern AZ.

Poole

Long fire with a fire/heat deflector and you'll be toasty - may have to feed it 2 or 3 times during the night. Line the inside with a cheap foil safety blanket and it will keep some of that heat. Be mindful of the wind - for me it either blows smoke in or heat out. I stick to tents these days.

Back in the early 60's we used a reflector design on our moose hunts. We used trees and brush covered with a tarp (for shedding rain.) With a large fire heat will collect inside although I wouldn't want to be out in -20 weather. Trouble is at the end of a week you will come out reeking of smoke. Without finding a shower some where you probably will not be able to live with yourself long enough to drive home.

Jim

Looks to be too heavy for backpacking.

Might work in AZ specially when needing shade from the hot sun. But entirely impractical for a Colorado Rocky Mountain elk hunt. In a snow storm with some wind, it could be a nightmare. It could be the same as having no tent at all, in that situation.

Neat design though. MikeS gave you major style points and I agree. But some things that look good may not always be that practical in certain situations.

KC

Definitely not a backpacking tent! (at least not the canvas version) and certainly not that big sleeping bag and cot.

Of course the Dutch Oven I'll have with me is not a backpacking campstove either.

those 4 items I mentioned above probably total 100lbs.

Poole

Exactly. I don't care how much "reflection" that fabric offers.

Bill Poole: That IS the coolest looking set-up!
Good for you.
I have on several occasions back pack Rifle Hunted for Elk at elevations just over 8,000".
Staying warm at night is indeed a concern.
Getting out of bed in the morning is no breeze either.
The season's I have Hunted the opener varied between about October 21st to October 25th.
It IS cool at night in the high country then.
We used lightweight two man back pack tents- not much warmth retained by these at all.
I am going to save your link and show it to my Hunting partner and see if maybe we should cache a couple of those Whelen Lean To's next summer near our favored haunt.
Good luck this season.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Well, I spent 6 days and nights up in the Northern Arizona Elk country!

I think the coldest night was 30F that's +30! 50 degrees more toasty than the good Col Whelen claims it can be used.... I did not build a fire in front of it. My sleeping bag is just fine.

Never got wet so I could not test the water proof or shedding capability. In 2015 this same hunt rained every day. This year, not a drop.

The Whelen looks even nicer surrounded by trees!



but then.... when we got 20 to 35 mph winds gusting to 50 on Friday only.



It was nice set up!

In my group of 4, my son got the one elk.

Poole