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Here is the scenario: you are at hunting camp with known and responsible friends. The sun has set, dinner is over, bedrolls await. Guns have been unloaded and secured.

Here is the question: Do you allow alcohol after the day's hunt? Why?

It depends on whether folks what a beer or whatever or decide to pass. When the hunt is over and the guns are put away, it is a personal decision. I might even have one, too. All the best...
Gil

Sure, why not?
You are with 'responsible friends', and friends watch out for one another albeit. Plus, if you are in a camp, you usually get a few rounds of euchre, or other card games going, and BS for the rest of the night.
There's really not much eles to do without electricity to watch hunting shows, or going into town 'if possible' every evening.

Howdy. I will try not to be biased i'm a recovering alcoholic, bin sober for 15 years . People drinking doesen't bother me drunks on the other hand bother me As long as the people are responsible and don't get carried away sure. I don't need some guy thats had to much trying to show me his new gun or hurt himself and be 50 miles from a hospital.
Joe

We have always had a rule that someone doesn't drink alcohol when we are at camp. Only because if there is an emergency at home or any reason to break camp someone can safely drive. I have hunted with the same group of guys for 20 years who define the most successful hunting camp experience is the one with the most laughs. The only real competition is for the most expressive and imaginitive burp.

First of all....Congrat's to you Sharpshtrjoe!!!!

And i as well believe, and agree with you whole heartedly!

It only happened once......But, i was once almost killed by a friends relitaves "drunk friend" trying to get a "seized" ball out of his muzzleloader WITH A PROPANE TORCH!
I was playing cards with my friend and his Uncle in a trailer that was parked on the property, and hasn't moved in years (so he knew where we were). But all of a sudden.....BOOM, WHIZZ, AND GLASS FLYING! And when we went out, the guy was standing in a cloud of smoke, sayin "WOW DUDE, SORRY"!
The guy did have to go to the hospital because i broke his nose and knocked him out for a minute. But it was my friends 70 y/o Uncle that smacked the living crap out of him even worse.
Since that day however, no accidents or incidents, ONLY responsible drinking, and no drunks allowed!

My hunting partner and I are armed with side arms at all times while in the mountains hunting. Even when the rifles are unloaded and put away. He and I both enjoy a whiskey when in camp and I have a beer if I come in for lunch. Neither one of us ever get drunk when hunting and see no problem carrying and having a relaxing drink or two...If we have a newbe in camp we are very watchful of him...Why do we stay armed at all times?? You ever been hunting in California???

When I am hunting pig on Vandenburg AFB I will disarm when in camp. But only then...I have a great destrust in my "fellow man"...

At my camp, I have a rule that all firearms be unloaded and all ammo is to be stored in my gun safe until it's time to go out again. I have a lot of guests as well as regulars, and most of the guests are surprised about the "ammo rule", but no one complains. As far as drinking, I only ask that people drink responsibly. We usually go to bed pretty early so there isn't a lot of late night "partying" going on. I enjoy a few beers and even a bit of wine with dinner, and most of my friends do the same. After all, people drink in their homes and there are guns there. I do agree, though, that you should keep an eye on new people who may not share your views on drinking.

Blaine...You must have a RV or something. Dinner and wine? Guests? You are right I do "T" bone, mashed potatoes, steamed and buttered veggies and a tossed green salad and all over an open fire (except the salad of course) and I serve wine followed by steaming coffee, but I go camping...That is a tent if possible or sleeping on the ground near picketed horse. To me, a trailer or a RV is not camping. Why would you want to take your home with you. My hunt camp has a tent or a horse and sometimes both...I will carry a side arm at all times. Ya Ya..I know...A bit old fasion...I have not lost touch with nature or my surroundings. Hence the name "Bushmaster".

Bushmaster,

You are a riot.....thanks for the laughs. Actually, I don't have an RV or camper. I have a 16' x 40' camp (sleeps 12) in the middle of my 100 acre wood lot. I built the camp as a "family get-a-way" but since the kids have gotten older, it is now pretty much a hunting camp only. There is no water, electricity, or plumbing of any kind, but it does have gas lights, a gas range (and an outside BBQ) and a very good wood stove. It is very comfortable and it (the lot) sits next to a 1500 acre State game management area (that is open to hunting). This season I will be out there from Oct 28th through Nov 6th. Then I go downstate till the 9th, and then on to Vermont till the 19th. While downstate, I stay at a friends house (The hunting area is in his backyard). In Vermont, I also stay at a camp that is equiped much the same as mine. I used to hunt like you in a tent in the north Maine woods, but back troubles and other "senior afflictions" have driven me indoors. If you ever decide you would like to try hunting in Maine, let me know.....I would welcome the company.....if you can stand hunting while living "the good life".

Blaine

Blaine...I am a lucky man. At 62 (63 in three months) I am in fine shape. No bad knees, back or any other part of my body. Just have a very active mouth, as you have noticed. I DO enjoy life...
I am also glad I can entertain you as that what I thought this site was for besides hunting information. I am retiring to Missouri, according to my wife anyway, in a couple of years. And if I was ever to be in your parts I would definitely take you up on that proposal...I like my beer at 42 degrees and my red wine slightly chilled..."T" bones medium...I hate it when you poke a fork in one and it goes "MOOO"...

I met 3 of the nicest guys from California last year. They were in a camp next to ours in the Big Horn Mountains here. Certainly changed our opinion about people from the "land of fruits and nuts". They were in a modern 3 room tent, we were in a late 1960's camper trailer. The second night they found out why. 2 feet of snow and about 10 degrees above. We all sat around and had some "Vitamin J" that night and let them dry out their clothes and boots.

Nothing wrong with a little drink on a cold night, as long as you don't drink till you are "out cold".

And I have an old light cotten canvas four man tent that I have had sense I can't remember and I camp at 8,000 feet in the High Sierras. Two feet of snow isn't that uncommon in October and November. Other then having to shovel it off my tent I have had no problems...Do feel sorry for them that get wet up there, though...

Is this Deer Camp or Beer Camp ? Some camps are all hunting with only a few drinks after dinner, others are all Drinking and card playing with little to NO hunting going on. My take is I can Drink anyday, but,I can't hunt everyday. We all know guns and Alcohol don't mix so I won't go there. To me each his own, I don't mind Card playing and Drinking late at night, as long as I can sleep. I feel you have all the right in the world to drink responsible. I like a Tall drink after Dinner, but then again I can stop at 1 or 2.

Bushmaster wrote:

but I go camping...That is a tent if possible or sleeping on the ground near picketed horse. To me, a trailer or a RV is not camping. Why would you want to take your home with you. My hunt camp has a tent or a horse and sometimes both....

Bushmaster, love the way you operate. There is nothing better than getting back to nature. Makes you appreciate life. Having said that, there is nothing wrong with a couple of creature comforts. When I camp I use a small 3 man "pup" tent, sleep on a couple of closed cell foam mattresses and a sleeping bag. Ocassionally I will only use a hootchie, ground sheet and poncho liner, but only when I am feeling adventurous. My creature comforts extend to a folding camp chair and most importantly a folding toilet chair. Like some others I have a bad back and knees and hanging onto a straining pole is now pretty well beyond me.

First thing to be done after the end of the days hunting is to clean and secure firearms and ammunition. I also separate bolts from firearms, locking them in a metal container. Then I think about my belly, but not before. Later on at night there is nothing better than sitting around the camp fire, having a couple of Ports and/or a beer, especially during Winter, recounting the day's hunting, the hits and misses and telling one another lies.....its what being mates (or pals/buddies) is all about. The alcohol is not rationed, however moderation is the rule. A hangover at 4am is bloody terrible and not tolerated amongst our group.

Cheers, Vince