I had to stop and think about the question for a bit.
I don't recall killing anything from right in camp. A couple of deer and an elk or two where fairly close, but not in camp. They that were within a quarter mile of camp, over a hill, around a corner, across a creek or some where out of site and probably far enough out that human sound was mute, the wind was right, I suspect. I've generally tried to camp a fair piece away from where I thought the critters are active. Always figured my camp would likely cause any game in the area to move off, away from the noise and smells. Also, until I got some years on me, I was a fair distance from camp, well before day light and stayed in the field until after the "golden" time came and went. I always wanted to be somewhere, watching a feeding area as the very last light melted into pitch black, so I was rarely in camp during the day light.
I guess that's a general statement, there were certainly times when, I confess, I was back in camp during the middle of the day, asleep on a bed roll. ;-)
My Dad was with me once, after he'd stopped hunting, and a young buck walked into camp, he said. I said, "we should have bought you a tag"! He snorted! He'd lost all interest in killing anything by then, he just wanted to be there and enjoy the company and the camp.
I've walked/driven passed other people's camps, pick-up, etc, while they we're asleep or out hunting and seen game very near their tents/trailers/trucks etc. Usually females or young males, never seen a mature big game animal in anyone's camp. Seen mature critters run through an empty camp or by someone's parked truck, a time or two. I've pulled up on the edge of a meadow, tree line, ridge, parked and stayed in the truck and had mature animals walk out of the tree's, while I was setting and glassing. However, usually not really close.
I've come to believe, if you're inside a vehicle, and your quiet, animals will wander quite close, within a 100 yards or so. (Step out, they leave right quick, in most cases.) Especially young animals. But there are always exceptions, as you can see in this photo. See the Jeep. We got out of our vehicle to take a picture and these bucks moved right off, walked right pass the Jeep,
I have no doubt you can kill a buck from your truck/camper sage. If it was me, I'd park in a different place to sleep and cook and stir around in, then before day light I'd drive a mile or two, to that good game area you mentioned, park it where I could see as many directions as possible and I'd just stay inside, moving very little and making as little noise as possible, then, I'd only exit the truck to shoot. Pee in a cup!
After dark, drive away, to an evening location where you can sleep and eat, away from the next day's hunt. Then do it again the next morning. In a day or three, you'll get your critter, no reason it won't be a bigger one, if you're in an area where some older critters hang out. Finding the right location will be the key to success, as it generally is, cuz a cain't kill'em if their ain't there.
DC
