Creating a Traditional Elk Camp: Where The Heart Of The Hunt Is Found (Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation) - Hardcover

A Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Book
The prospect of an elk hunt conjures dreams of trophy bulls. While the pursuit of that majestic animal is the reason for going, many outdoors people also look forward just as much to the camaraderie and relaxation of a backwoods hunting camp. The comfort, utility, and durability of your elk camp can sometimes make or break the quality of your hunt. Without a dry, warm place to sleep and eat, and a secure, organized place to embark from each morning, you'll be hard pressed to make the most of the day, especially given the often daunting nature of the terrain, weather, and quarry.
Creating a Traditional Elk Camp is the complete guide to setting up the
perfect wall-tent camp. Wall tents are in a class by themselves as shelters, and are essential to the elk-camp tradition. Author Jack Ballard offers detailed instructions on:
· Tent measurement and selection
· Tent-frame construction and the best ways to pitch tents
· Selecting stoves and how to use them safely inside
· Setting up the camp kitchen
· Creating and maintaining a water supply
· Illuminating the camp
· Corralling and securing horses and mules
· Dealing with bad weather
· Camping safely in bear country
Experienced elk hunters looking for easy modifications to their camp will find a lot of useful instruction in this book. It can also serve as a total guide for those who are in the planning stages of their first extended hunt.
This title has earned the endorsement of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to conserving and restoring habitat to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife; fostering cooperation between federal, state, and private entities to properly manage wild, free-ranging elk; and educating the public about conservation, wildlife management, and the value of hunting. You can reach the Elk Foundation by dialing 1-800-CALL-ELK, or at its Web site, www.elkfoundation.org.

For nearly thirty years, a wall tent in Montana's Snowcrest Mountains has been Jack Ballard's favorite home away from home. A third-generation Montana native of homesteader's stock, Jack grew up on a ranch west of Three Forks, hunting mule deer, antelope, and elk.
In 1992 his first published photo appeared in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's fledgling Bugle magazine. The next year, Rocky Mountain Game & Fish magazine carried his first article. Since then, Jack's articles and photos have appeared in over thirty regional and national magazines, including American Hunter, Petersen's Hunting, Sports Afield, Northwest Fly Fishing, Colorado Outdoors, Deer & Deer Hunting, and Montana magazine. His photos have been published in numerous books―including titles from the Smithsonian Press and the Heinemann Library―calendars, and magazines. Jack has received multiple awards for his writing and photography from the Outdoor Writers Association of America and other professional organizations.
While developing his writing career, Jack lectured in philosophy, religion, ethics, and education at Montana State University–Billings. He holds two master's degrees and is an accomplished public speaker, entertaining students, conference attendees, and recreation/conservation groups with his compelling narratives.
In addition to western big-game hunting, Jack also writes about fishing, camping, canoeing, cross-country skiing, wildlife, and conservation. When not wandering the backcountry, he hangs his hat in Billings, Montana.
To see more of Jack's work, visit www.jackballard.com. Contact him directly by e-mail: jackballard@earthlink.net.