Guys Weekend

Just 2 simple words – Guys…..Weekend.  

When spoken together, they prompt memories for about a dozen of us of probably the greatest “weekend” of the year.  

You see, each year just after Halloween, our Guys Weekend group assembles at our camps for an extended weekend of archery hunting, outdoor cooking, eating, having a few drinks, and just flat out enjoying ourselves.  

Don’t let the “guys” part of it mislead you into thinking this is some anti-female trip – it’s just one of the few times we don’t have wives, kids, and other family that we need to take care of.  It’s pretty simple really – we hunt, tell stories, and cook some great meals – generally outside.  

We don’t really worry about anyone else – just take care of yourself, hunt where and when you want, eat when and where you want, and just enjoy each other’s company when we are around camp.  It’s just awesome.  

Historically I would have said that Thanksgiving weekend and the rifle season opener was the highlight of the year for many of us….ahh what the heck we will call that weekend a co-highlight of the year as that weekend really shouldn’t take a back seat to anything.

Back to my story, I generally get the conversation started in early July when the new licenses become available.  As self-proclaimed “President” of the KHCC (our made up club consisting of our camp and my cousin’s camp which sits next to ours), I try to let everyone know when folks can apply for antlerless tags, DMAP tags, etc.  We also start discussing the menu and any proposed “changes”.   There are rarely any changes as it’s pretty hard to improve on perfection.

It generally goes like this:  

Wednesday night (the day most people arrive) we have gourmet burgers although last year we deep fried some chicken wings.  

Thursday night is steak night – perfectly seared filets on the grill.  

Friday, we do chickens on the spit over an open fire – one whole chicken per man.  I know – it sounds like a lot, and it is, and no one generally finishes the whole thing, but man does it look cool on a plate and there’s just something about taking a fork and knife to the whole bird.  

Then Saturday night is the grand finale, aka “closing ceremony”, when we do about 15 pounds of prime rib roast on the spit.  Well coated with Montreal Steak seasoning, we start “sampling” while all of us stand around the fire watching the roast progress and rehashing the events of the weekend and of Guys Weekends in the past.  

Ken usually does the cutting of the samples.  Chris and Jerry make sure the beverages keep flowing and are also generally the culprits in creating the small inferno that we cook over. Speaking of which, I should set the stage for this outdoor cooking arena.  

Sitting just behind camp Triple Trophy we have a rock lined fire pit that is approximately 6’ long, 3’ wide, and 1’ tall.  Billy crafted a heavy-duty spit to cook on that fits this area like a glove.  

About 10’ beyond the fire pit you have Allegheny National Forest land.  This creates just the right combination – close enough to electricity for the extension cords and miscellaneous trips in to camp for various supplies like…

“Hey Dan, bring Vince a beer when you come back out”

But basically on the edge of the forest to give that wilderness feel.

I usually check in with the group in September just to make sure everyone is still a go and give everyone a reminder of the upcoming trip, then in October we start nailing down the details (not that they change much – but it sure is fun to start talking about the trip) and talking about anyone going up to camp before guys weekend.  

There are normally some pictures of tightly grouped arrows from a practice session and other miscellaneous discussions.  

Then that magical week arrives.  

All of the hunting clothes are de-scented, gear gathered and checked, maybe even loaded into the truck.  Grocery shopping is done, and the important meat items obtained (I don’t really trust anyone else to get the steaks and the roast).  

Then Tuesday night arrives, and the remaining gear is loaded, a few last minute texts to the group, then spend the evening with the family since it’s the last I’ll see them for a few days.  

Then the alarm goes off Wednesday morning and I hit the road for the 6-hour trip to camp.  Constantly thinking about the plan when I arrive – open camp, unload gear and food, shower, then hit the stand.  

Then it’s over – just like that.  And we look forward to the rifle season opener.

Oh, you were expecting a hunting story?  Keep an eye out for all the other postings you see on the Allegheny Antler page.  I hope you have a similar “Guys Weekend” tradition and I’d love to hear about it.  If not, get one started – your “group” will love it.