Trappers/Hunters Tent

[SquirrelFlinter]

I stayed in a hunter tent this weekend. It was set-up with 2 poles on the out side. It was a buddy of mine's. I think we had it set up in about 2 minutes. As for room. It was just me in there a cot and my cloths and I had plenty of rooM. 10X10. I am 6'4" and the only place I could stand to change was right in the middle. If you don't carry a lot of stuff it would be great for two. But if you got a bit of stuff and the rain starts and things need to come in it would be very tight. If it ends up just being me doing these things. A 10X10 would be way to much for me.

SF

 

[blacksmithman64]

also the bell back is generally credited to the british.The bell adds a lot of storage area.I'll be getting another one when my funds allow.

 

[Claude Mathis]

Could you help me understand what a "bell back" is.

 

[spudnut]

Me too i sold my first one and have wanted another ever since....Mark

 

[Turtle2]

I've been looking into Wedge tents now and doing research behind them. I'm seeing & reading about them for military situatioms but not finding much for the fur trade era.

Would a wedge tent work for a fur trader persona because I sure don't see much on them other than military.

-Turtle2-

 

[blacksmithman64]

I seem to recall they were the only tent at rendezvous except for tipi's,I think it was in The Book of Buckskinning that I read that; but it stands to reason that a trader wouldn't take up valuable cargo space for a big tent when he could fill it with foofaraw and watered down whisky!

 

[Coot]

The wedge tent in one form or another goes way back in time & has persisted right up to today. A plain canvas wedge is likely to be accepted at all events unlike a Baker or single pole which are considered too modern in style for some events. A wedge is therefore perhaps easier to resell as it is useable for a wider group. Military usage of tents has been very widespread & is well documented compaired to civilian use of tents but this can actually work against you as some military units are known to have had specific size tents where a civilian could carry what he could find as surplus or have made to suit his purse.

 

[Turtle2]

You changed my mind. Thank you to everyone for all your help. Turns out I'm going with the wedge with a bell. And to think the only bell I ever wanted was the one ya hear for supper. Need to hone in on a size (input would be great) but going with a wedge.
Couldn't have done it without all your help and when ya ride by my camp stop in and we'll have some of that watered down whiskey that Wolf mentioned. :thumbsup:

-Turtle-

 

[Coot]

Well, as to size, smaller is easier to transport & bigger is easier to move around in. With a wedge, you can only use the very edges on each side for gear storage as the sides slope in. Likewise the very top comes to a point so a 6' guy will not really be able to stand in less than a 7' high wedge. How many will be using your tent and how much stuff do you take to an event? PS - Mrs Coot advises that the ladies REALLY like to be able to stand up to get dressed. If you get to an event, most folks are real helpfull & would let you check out their setups & try standing inside.

 

[Holley]

I have a wedge/bell from Tentsmiths and have no trouble standing up and getting dressed. But then I am 5'1"....my problem is getting all my gear in it and the bed. Since I built my new bed to fit my 12' tipi and the wedge...there is no problem. The bed is 16" TALL by 28" wide and 5'3" long. Found a cot was toooooo long and not very cumffy.

 

[blacksmithman64]

I'd say anything in the neighborhood of 9'wide by 7' tall would be plenty for two people and their gear.With the bell your looking at anywhere from 12'-16'long.Mine was from Panther and measured 9' wide by 16'long including the bell.

 

[Twisted_1in66]

The great thing about a bell in a wedge tent is that you can stow a lot of stuff in it out of the way, AND hang things off of the post that holds the ridge pole up by the bell. Among other things, I throw a looped thong of leather around it, twist it once into a figure 8 and put the barrel of my rifle in one end the figuure 8. It stands up nice and securely, and stays close to the post. I also hang a cast iron hook off of the post to hang up some garments, or to hang my lantern if I want to read or rearrange the inside before hitting the bedroll.

My wedge is a small Panther one, 6 feet tall and 7 feet long with a 24" bell. I put all my gear in the bell, lay out a bedroll and have a box that I can sit on and store my cooler inside. Nice and comfy for me. It's a short tent, but I'm only 5'6" tall, so it works fine. If you're taller, make sure you get a tent that is at least 7' tall. That last 6" at the ridgepole isn't very usable. The bell is SWEET!

Also, if you use your tent in hot weather a lot, it's worth getting a door made in the bell. That way you can open up both ends and get a little flow-through ventilation if there's any kind of breeze. Makes a big difference in hot weather.

One other option I don't have and wish I did are the sod flaps. They allow you to put a ground cloth down and seal the edges of the tent under it. At reenactment events they usually have straw and I seal the edges of my tent with that. However, if you don't have straw, you don't have a seal.

Hope this helps,
Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup: