Montana Canvas Bridger Tent: A Hunting Palace

There are few dwellings more nostalgic than a wall tent tucked under open skies with a waft of smoke lifting skyward from its tin stovepipe. These canvas-clad quarters provide hunters a comfortable and cozy base during off-grid adventures, as well as a shelter from the most severe of elements. However, that comfort comes at the cost of weight and space. The large bags can nearly fill a pick-up bed and the metal framework combined with the canvas coverings can easily exceed a couple hundred pounds. And don’t even get me started on the frustrating endeavor of setting up one of these behemoth tents, especially on your own.

All gripes aside, we commonly deal with these inconveniences because of the “luxury” that a well tent provides during multi-day stays in the field. But is there another solution that still maintains the integrity, nostalgia and luxury of a canvas wall tent while eliminating the common peeves? Montana Canvas thinks so, and they have us convinced with their newly released Bridger Tent.

The Bridger Tent represents the culmination of five years of extensive field testing from the team at Montana Canvas and those they trust most. During that time, they tweaked, refined and ultimately perfected a simple, wall-tent like shelter that is a fraction of the weight, easy to set up and still loaded with the necessary features hunters need most from their shelters.

Utilizing a simple center-post design, the Bridger Tent provides a 10-foot peak sloping down to 5’-foot walls. Its lofty height paired with its 14x14-foot base provide a mountainside Taj Mahal for its occupants. Between turkey camp this spring and an early-season archery mule deer hunt this fall, I have spent nearly two weeks tucked in the Bridger Tent with family and friends and have been nothing but impressed with the protection it has provided. Not to mention the spacious ability to stand up and stretch in the mornings while getting ready for the day.

Saving Ounces Without Sacrificing Structural Integrity

Obviously, in order to cut weight and space, Montana Canvas knew they were going to have to swap out the canvas exterior for a lighter, more packable option. Ultimately, they chose to go with a Relite 250-denier polyester material with a 1500mm polyurethane coating, striking an optimized balance between performance and weight. They also completely seam taped the tent to ensure total protection from Mother Nature’s fury. What does that translate to in real-world terms? I can’t say for certain. However, we got caught in a doozy of a rainstorm this fall, blowing sheets of rain sideways for more than an hour. With tables flipped over and lawn chairs destroyed, our camp looked like a localized hurricane had ripped through the center, but the Bridger Tent remained unphased. Not only did it withstand the whipping winds but everything inside was dry with only a few guylines that needed to be retightened.

During that same mule deer hunt in late August, we experienced daytime temps nearing 90 degrees. With little to no shade in these desert conditions, it is nearly impossible to stay cool. Fortunately, the Bridger features oversized YKK-zippered, screen-covered windows and a large “T” style front door with a sewed-in screen to optimize airflow. During the mid-day lull, we often congregated under the integrated awning as well, taking advantage of the shade we so desperately seeked to escape the brutal beatings from the sun’s relentless rays.

While I haven’t used the Bridger during the winter months, I am anxious to do so. Mostly because of its ability to accommodate a wood-burning stove. If you haven’t experienced the soul-warming sensation of a wood stove raging inside a wall tent on a bitter-cold day, you are missing out. Montana Canvas integrated a 5-inch oval stove jack in the roof set above a 40-inch oval zippered floor opening. Depending on the size of your stove, this provides ample room to host your stove along with a stack of freshly cut wood close by.

Set up and take down of the Bridger Tent is simple. As with most things, the first time I set it up took a little longer as I figured out its intricacies and details of the process. A helpful video on YouTube walked me through the process. Now knowing its ins and outs, I can throw the tent up in 15 minutes when working in tandem with someone else. On my own, it would obviously take slightly longer, but it would be feasible to do so.

Application and Use

As mentioned, the Bridger is substantially lighter than an equivalently sized canvas wall tent. But given the amount of material required to cover and support a 14x14-foot structure, with room to stand, it is highly unlikely that you are going to pack the Bridger Tent very far on your back. Total weight, including the tent, frame, stakes and bag is 86 pounds. That might sound like a lot, and it is. But compared to a similar-sized canvas wall tent that weighs twice that much or more, the Bridger is a “lightweight” option in its arena. Montana Canvas also provides a convenient, oversized bag that easily stores everything you need for your Bridger tent. And no, it is not impossible to get everything back in once it is taken out for the first time. Everything fits easily into the 12-inch x 12-inch x 62-inch duffel.

The importance of a roomy and cozy shelter cannot be overstressed when hunting for extended stays. The sheer ability to be able to stretch and change while enjoying a reprieve from the elements will mentally keep you in the game longer, and the longer you play the game, the more likely you are to hang your tag on the buck or bull you are pursuing. No, a canvas wall tent can never be replaced but Montana Canvas has undoubtedly bridged the gap between performance and space with the new Bridger Tent. If you are looking to save some weight, space and some money when compared to a canvas wall tent, the new Bridger Tent from Montana Canvas is undoubtedly a top contender.

---