HAVING A HUNTING CAMP -
Most deer hunters enjoy everything about the sport except having to haul all the equipment and supplies to and from the hunting area and setting up a camp site each time you go. After doing this burdensome task for a number of years, we decided to build a permanent camp in our favorite spot to hunt in the Florida Everglades. That was permitted at the time, so we hauled all the material and equipment to the camp site using swamp buggies. The building site was properly registered with the authorities, which, as it turned out, was a saving grace that protected us in future years when building in the park was no longer permitted and only those registered were allowed to remain. We were sheltered by a "Grandfather Clause" that protected us from the camp being destroyed by the Park Commission.

It took a few years to complete the camp, but when it was finished it was really a nice place. You didn't know you were deep in the middle of a swamp. The camp would sleep eight to ten people comfortably on bunk beds. There was a kitchen with a gas stove and gas refrigerator, pots and pans, dishes, and lights that ran on car batteries. There was a bathroom with a shower, hot water tank, a front and back screened-in porches with lounge chairs and a swing. The water was pumped into the building from a well. There was a huge holding tank for the water which was placed high in a tree to allow gravity to feed the outlets.

We had originally planned to have a small pond nearby so we used dynamite to blast out a big hole, but the job proved to be too difficult to complete so we stopped doing any more to it. Water filled the hole and one alligator decided that would be his home. We called the pond the gator hole, of course. Occasionally, you could see him basking in the sun on cold mornings. He was a bit shy and would scamper off when someone approached and would return when they left.

Snakes were abundant in the area, all kinds of snakes. Both rattle snakes and moccasins were plentiful and we had to be extra careful walking around. Except for a female rattler protecting her young, most rattlers will go the other way when they hear you coming. We learned very quickly to shuffle our feet and make some noise when walking through areas of high sage brush or saw grass. The same rules didn't apply to water moccasins though; moccasins will come over to see who was making all the noise.

In planning for the trip, one of the most important tasks was to have

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Setting up; a hunting camp?
We want to hear your view. Write now!