How do you keep critters out when tarp camping?

Keep all food hung. Dont leave anything food related (stove, pots, utensils) lying around. I almost had a heart attack once when I was sleeping under a poncho. I woke up to something large noseing it's way under the poncho at about 4 am. Turned out to be a stray dog. I did not need to worry about the critter, as my heart nearly came out of my chest.
 
Mosquito net for the small pests , an old Winchester for the bigger ones.
 
Make sure mosquito nets don't touch the skin!

Bivy's with nets have this problem....



While we're discussing Tarp products, is anyone familiar with or use the TarpTent?

I've been looking at them for a while, essentially a tarp with footprint and netting. Has an adjustable sides for snow and rain.... Very lightweight...


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Here's the Company sight: http://tarptent.com/products.html
 
They've got a massive following. I plan to pick up a two man version at some point.
 
Do Tarp tents require the use of trekking poles are am I reading it wrong?
 
The Moment only requires the one transverse pole if you stake the end guys (one stake each end). It is shown here with the optional longitudinal pole to make it freestanding.

And for the ones designed for use with trekking poles, a stick found onsite or tying to trees works as well.
 
Summer camping where I'm at is a no go, to many ticks, flying insects and snakes, not to mention the humidity, fall, winter and early spring is it. My son and a few of his friends went camping last weekend and all they took was water, food, a fire kit and warm clothes, they slept on the ground with no problems. They wanted to see if they could do it.
 
REI Bug Hut 2 and a tarp is a nice enduring combo.

i usually have my white coyote along with me, so she eats the bugs and warns me of everything else, or i warn her....

vec
 
G'day Marion

Marion David Poff said:
G'day Mick!

I have been watching some Les Hiddins, your countryman, and I see he sleeps under a tarp, but also use a mozzie net. How well do those work? As in, in practice, do they work pretty well? Much issue with things getting in? I know they are meant for the mozzies, but other than very determined mice and such, it seems to me that they would do the job.

I have been considering this the last few day. I need a tent, and what I want it pretty expensive. But, I have been considering going with a tarp situation, with netting inside (I hate the creepies).

Anyway, best of it to you,
Marion
Click to expand...
I must admit to having seen very little of the "Bushtucker Man' TV series with Maj. Les Hiddens.

This may seem strange considering my interest in edible & medicinal Australian native plants, but his shows focus on the plants of the far Nth of Australia. I am located in the Sth Eastern cnr of Oz, with mostly different plant species and uses :D

I can't say I am familiar with his camping set up. The Northern part of Australia has pretty mild to warm temps (even in winter), so it makes sense to me that he would use a tarp (much cooler with better airflow than a tent).

Again it makes sense to me that he is protecting himself from Mozies with some form of netting. For it to be effective, he would need to ensure that the netting was secured at ground level (otherwise the little blood suckers will find their way in). As PJ has already pointed out, the netting would need to be large enough to ensure space between himself & the netting, otherwise the mini Draculas will be able to reach you through the netting :D.

So in effect, whilst using a tarp, he is for all practical purposes sleeping inside the inner of a tent :D

BTW, funnell web spiders are not found in the Nth of Australia.

With regards to cost, I'm of the opinion that quality gear only hurts the wallet once :thumbup:




Kind regards
Mick
 
squishware said:
Do Tarp tents require the use of trekking poles are am I reading it wrong?
Click to expand...

My Tarptent came with an upright pole and a pole for the arch near the feet. Also four titanium pegs. If I am moving every day, I leave the upright home and substitute a trekking pole. If I am establishing a base camp and doing some dayhikes where I'll want to use the trekking poles, I bring the upright pole that came with the Tarptent.

My Tarptent is surprisingly roomy. I can haul my Go-Lite Gust pack in with me at night.

I've had the Tarptent in some very serious wind and it did well. Also survived over four inches of unexpected snow. At 24 ounces, I like it a lot.

DancesWithKnives
 
SouthernCross said:
I must admit to having seen very little of the "Bushtucker Man' TV series with Maj. Les Hiddens.

This may seem strange considering my interest in edible & medicinal Australian native plants, but his shows focus on the plants of the far Nth of Australia. I am located in the Sth Eastern cnr of Oz, with mostly different plant species and uses :D
Click to expand...

What, I thought you all were on a first name basis down in those parts, it being such tiny little island.... ; )


SouthernCross said:
I can't say I am familiar with his camping set up. The Northern part of Australia has pretty mild to warm temps (even in winter), so it makes sense to me that he would use a tarp (much cooler with better airflow than a tent).

Again it makes sense to me that he is protecting himself from Mozies with some form of netting. For it to be effective, he would need to ensure that the netting was secured at ground level (otherwise the little blood suckers will find their way in). As PJ has already pointed out, the netting would need to be large enough to ensure space between himself & the netting, otherwise the mini Draculas will be able to reach you through the netting :D.

So in effect, whilst using a tarp, he is for all practical purposes sleeping inside the inner of a tent :D

BTW, funnell web spiders are not found in the Nth of Australia.
Click to expand...

Do you use a mozzie net much, or do you have a full tent?

And when they use a separate mozzie net, how is it secured, weighted ends, or staked down, tucked in?


SouthernCross said:
With regards to cost, I'm of the opinion that quality gear only hurts the wallet once :thumbup:
Click to expand...

I hear that. This tent thing is driving me a little batty honestly, the good ones are a fair penny.


Kind Regards,
Marion
 
The only critters that bother me when tarping are skeeters and noseeums, I carry a seperate mosquito netting for them if it is that time of the year. I stayed in nantahala national forest for a week last year and had a little field mouse come see me several times, he didn't bother me and I didn't bother him, on another trip I had a chipmonk that adopted me, got to the point he would almost take crackers out of my hand. Don't have much problem with snakes in the places I frequent, they are there but haven't bothered me so far. I am willing to take the risk to be able to lay in my bed and watch the fire or look up at the stars if I want to. Chris
 
Tent for me; too many biting flying / wriggly / creepy crawlys in SE Australia... :o but obviously the tent's weight (about 2.2 kg from memory) and price do hurt a bit... It is a Sea to Summit brand, 2 person, 3 season, can be erected just as a tub base with mosquito net supported by 3 break down poles OR the sil nylon fly can be added as here:

PC040068.jpg


It is very blue (apparently that was "so last season's color" that I saved $200 :D) and it has worked very well during heavy rain and bug infestations!

More power / respect to those of you who tarp camp or use primitive shelters! :thumbup:
 
sprinkle a little spectracide granules around the perimeter. most bugs & snakes will stay away. for coons & coyotes go with fine cayenne pepper. pepper ca'nt be used if too windy.
 
It sounds like that might work for the targeted animals but I've read that pepper scent makes bears more inquisitive. Any experience with bears either moving away from or toward pepper?

Thanks for your experience,

DancesWithKnives
 
DennisStrickland said:
sprinkle a little spectracide granules around the perimeter. most bugs & snakes will stay away. for coons & coyotes go with fine cayenne pepper. pepper ca'nt be used if too windy.
Click to expand...

I'll have to try the cayenne pepper thing. I do always cook and leave any and all food and cookware at least 50 yards from where I'm sleeping.
 
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