Any one use a Subaru as a hunting buggy

[S-3 ranch]

I been thinking about buying and lifting, a/t or mud tire a Subaru Outback, I can sometimes put 300 mile
of ranch road or gravel CR on daily , any suggestions or experience

 

[Wrench]

Every other high-school kid in my county has one of these. They chase yotes across the stubble all the time. I have been toying with one for recon trips myself. 30mpg for 5 grand sounds nice.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I used to be impressed with them until I saw one stuck at a trailhead parking lot
on mostly level ground ON the snow. It wasnt sunk, it was just sitting on top of
the snow spinning.
Me and another guy tried to give it a push to help it, even stuck the floor mats under
the spinning tires with no luck. Had some good all season tires but that thing wasnt
moving.
Changed my whole perspective.

 

[Jbehredt]

Be sure not to “kill” anything while using it. “Harvest” will be the be preferred vernacular.

 

[Mosby]

I just put $500 down on one for my wife. I wouldn't hesitate to use it for spring turkey or maybe even a fall bird hunt but I wouldn't take it elk or deer hunting on bad roads. It really isn't an off road vehicle IMO and A/T tires will hurt the gas mileage. They have a trim model with a/t tires and people are reporting getting less than 20 a gallon albeit with a turbo engine.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Always wanted a subie baha but the market on those things is kinda crazy. Seems like a great economical adventure mobile. The new Ford maverick has peaked my interest for the same reasons, albeit in a few years when I can get one used.

 

[ramsdude47]

I think a modified Subaru would approach the utility of a truck for a fraction of the cost.

But the modifications will also reduce the MPG, probably by more than you would expect.

 

[Austink47]

I used my wife’s on several hunts, worked great. Pro tip buy an inflatable kitty pool so you don’t get blood all over the back. I wish we hadn’t sold it.

 

[streetdoctor]

Best snow vehicle I have ever owned. Better than my F350 Tremor and my previous F150 for sure.

 

[wapitibob]

just do it

change the timing belt, if it breaks pistons hit valves

 

[browning2480]

See if you can find one of the 3.6 engine ones. That might help handle the bigger tires

 

[colersu22]

I was looking at putting a lift on my 04 forester but with 290k and leaking and burning oil it wasn’t worth the cost to fix when it blew a wheel bearing and took out everything in the right front so I scrapped it. I used it for a daily driver and on some hunts but mainly just logging roads.

It was great in the snow, AWD with basically no power it handled great. If I was going a Subaru route again I would try and get a forester with the turbo so it actually had some get up and go. Currently looking for a Jeep Cherokee XJ but everyone is asking crazy prices now so I’ll wait.

 

[SirChooCH]

Have a '16 forester and given 4 deer their last rides in it. Just be sure to carry a tarp in the trunk for this purpose. They also sell trunk liner and back of the seat covers so when you lay the back seats down flat its like a truck bed mat. The AWD on that thing is better than my F150 4WD in snow and mud. Would average 28 mpg with all season tires, up to 35 on sunny pavement cruises at 60 mph. Drops to 25 when speeding on freeway or working hard in snow.

I think the generation right before this had oil problems like 2012-15ish models but look into that

 

[SirChooCH]

Exhibit A of trunk and back seat liners in use. MI public land doe, tree stand and bow went in the seats and doe in the back. Usually have a tarp as well but the trunk liner works well.

 

[westsloper]

I use mine for everything. I would put good tires on it but skip any other mods like a lift - no use trying to make it something that it isn't. Still - an Outback is a great vehicle once you learn its limitations. It's never going to be a 4runner but it will get you far. Then again, before my outback I took a 1994 camry with all season tires to trailheads where a lot of guys wouldn't take their trucks.

 

[Beaveralum]

I just put a small lift and AT tires on my Forester for this very reason, still manage about 22mpg city driving. I couldn’t justify the price of a new or used truck, as the Subaru is paid for. They are fully capable on logging roads and for some light off road, but you have to know your limitations. If I were you I would go for it.

 

[hodgeman]

I've stuffed a ton of dead stuff in a Subie... roll with it!

 

[TheViking]

Please don’t.

 

[Titan_Bow]

My wife’s 2015 Forester had to have the short block replaced at 60,000 miles…. I would never buy another one


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[pk_]

I like Subarus, but If you are going to lift it and put bigger tires and mod it, you will get less MPG than a mid size pick up, heck most full size pickups nowadays…