Deer camps are notorious for “roughing it,” which isn’t inviting to family members, especially youngsters, moms, and girlfriends who want to be part of the excitement. West Virginia opened its deer and bear archery season over the weekend, crashing head-on into Hurricane Helene. Talk about difficult conditions. High winds blew about every acorn from its tree, making the Monongahela National Forest one giant deer feeder.
West Virginia’s Double Header
The September 28th opener seemed the perfect time to ambush a hard-antlered buck and a bruin feeding on the ample crop of white oak acorns that littered the ground. Since deer and bears eat acorns in abundance, a tree stand for one gives equal opportunity for the other. More importantly, bear tags are available over the counter, and bear populations are high. These dual seasons extend through December 31, providing more than three months of opportunity. For West Virginia licensing and season information, click HERE.
Air BnB Meets Deer Camp
A friend turned me onto Rocky’s Rustic Cabins, which he rents on Facebook, Air BnB, and in person. Located in Bowden, West Virginia, these rentals are adjacent to a well-stocked trout stream and on the edge of the Monongahela National Forest, which contains over 1,000,000 acres of prime deer and bear country. Rocky is a local entrepreneur who rents several cabins and a passionate deer hunter who scouts public land with great success.
This Man Knows His Deer
Rocky is a master craftsman specializing in wood. Much of the work on his rentals is done personally and demonstrates attention to detail. He has two new units under construction, all made with vintage timbers, that should be ready by next summer. Bowden, West Virginia, is a popular summer recreation area with an extensive campground adjacent to his rentals. He’s equally adept in the mountains and sets a vast network of trail cameras to capture mature bucks, which is his specialty.
Local Bucks
Rocky’s largest rental has an extensive display of deer, like those shown above, taken in the nearby National Forest. He strongly believes in minerals and uses a blend that has worked well to improve deer health and attract deer. He mixes a whole bag of trace minerals with a bucket of Lucky Buck and Deer Cocaine. When he finds a location with ample deer presence, he finds an old stump and puts the minerals on it.
Aaaah, Deer Camp
Despite hurricane Helene, I wouldn’t stay in camp, as inviting as that may look. However, returning to a cozy cabin with full kitchen facilities and a hot shower was pure heaven after a full day in the wind and rain. Staying in a cabin with full facilities makes hunting more fun for the whole family. Elkins, West Virginia, is only a 20-minute drive from Bowden, and if you have family who work remotely, they can enjoy the excitement of a hunting trip and every minute of the stay. Facilities like these allow older hunters or non-hunters to maximize their abilities and stay in touch with their families. Even if Grandad or Grandma does the cooking, what an adventure a rental can be! Rocky’s Rustic Cabins can be found on the Air BnB website, or call him personally at 304-642-1369.
