Whether you’re setting up a base camp for a long week of hunting or just taking the family out to the back country, you’ll always have a better experience with the proper preparation. When scouting for a place to lay your head at night, it’s a good idea to bring a couple of essential tools to help clear out the area and cut firewood.

Obtain Permits and Leave No Trace

If you’re camping or hunting on your own land, you likely don’t need to read this part. But if you’re going out onto public land, remember to obtain any permits needed for camping, hunting, or cutting firewood. And consult the area conservation department for any rules or guidelines you’ll need to follow.

Once you’re out there, the general rule of thumb is to “leave no trace.” That means only choosing fallen trees or dead branches to cut for firewood and clearing your campsite with no damage to existing live trees or shrubs.

Power Tools for Camp Site Preparation

While you may have dreams of setting up your site with an old-school hatchet and some nautical knot tying techniques, it’s also a good idea to equip yourself with some power gear so you can set up quickly and efficiently as well as keep fueling that fire during the cold nights.

  • Consider bringing along a lightweight chainsaw. STIHL even offers some innovative battery options with the same power and durability as their gas model counterparts, but with less noise and zero exhaust emissions.
  • A small, handheld blower can also come in handy for clearing away leaves and debris. This will not only make your site more comfortable and critter-free but will also help prevent accidental fires from dried leaves blowing around.
  • Keep a pole pruner in your truck just in case. While you may not need this for every trip, it can come in handy for removing damaged branches around your camp site, especially ones that look likely to fall.
  • For quick pruning, light firewood prep, or trail clearing, the GTA 26 battery-powered garden pruner is a compact tool that punches above its weight. It’s easy to handle, fits in your pack, and offers surprising cutting power—perfect for campsite work without the bulk of a full-size saw.

If you set your site up right the first time, you’ll only need to do some light maintenance throughout the rest of your trip. Taking along the proper equipment can help you establish the perfect site with minimal impact to the land.

Upgrade Your Equipment this Fall

Each season brings its own kind of outdoor fun, and fall is no exception. With the prospects of cool-weather camping and big game hunting on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to gather the tools you need to make the most of your experience.

Find your local STIHL Dealer to shop from a wide range of outdoor power equipment.