Cars for Hunting

[NateK]

The one time you finally need a 4x4 truck, you'll hate that car. mtmuley

I totally agree and will probably still take the 4x4 any time I hit a new area. Once I know the trail head access I will take car/4x4 based on previous experience. I typically spend more on fuel than tags driving an explorer that gets 17 mpg and could afford to squeeze in an extra hunt every year if I could make a couple of them in a car. And more hunting is always better!

 

[huntsman22]

Man I can’t get my horse trailer through some of the mud/snow/rocks on the roads, let alone a car

Yeah, me neither.....

 

[huntsman22]

Anyone else see the hair dryer on the front seat of the pinto?

only the guys that don't like putting up wet fur.....

 

[cmahoney]

I don’t think you can beat a crosstrek.

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[WoolyBugger]

The wrx I had struggled to get mid 20’s.

All I have right now is a Toyota Corolla. It still has blood on it from last Season.

What year? Mine was an 18 with the FA engine so completely different layout than the older EJ's. I'm was in a 15+ wrx owners group on Facebook and there were a few people posting pics of their dash with 40 mpgs

 

[Fatcamp]

Yeah, me neither.....

Ya, I don't pull my horse trailer with the Camry.

 

[S.Clancy]

+1 for the Honda Fit. It’s basically a modern version of a 90s civic, except the new ones have timing chains which is even better. It’s tough to beat the reliability/mpg/cargo space. I can’t take it on all hunts but when you can it’s ~40% the cost of fuel of a truck.

I’d love to see a 6x6 strapped to the roof cruising down the interstate haha.


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I actually fit the rack inside, as incredible as that is. I try to roll under the radar.

 

[tgus59]

I have a 2014 VW Jetta Sportswagon, diesel wagon that gets 40MPG. It has a roof rack, and with the back seats folded down, has a ton of space. I have it set up with WeatherTech mats, easy to hose out! I am getting a hitch installed so I can use a tray carrier for a large cooler. The only downside is FWD instead of AWD.

 

[ColoradoBackpackHunter]

I hunted out of my 99 civic coupe for a few years after moving out west. Naturally I moved to a 4x4 to take some of the leg work out of it but I made it work while I had it.

 

[cusecat04]

I’m trying it in a Nissan Rogue this year. AWD and a little bit less room than the 4X4s we’ve taken in the past but this year solo’ing it. Using what I have.
Hitch Haul is key! Use it all the time with a tarp/straps to limit cleanup when hauling game home.

 

[tttoadman]

I have a 2014 VW Jetta Sportswagon, diesel wagon that gets 40MPG. It has a roof rack, and with the back seats folded down, has a ton of space. I have it set up with WeatherTech mats, easy to hose out! I am getting a hitch installed so I can use a tray carrier for a large cooler. The only downside is FWD instead of AWD.

I had the TDI wagon also. I loved it. I never had a chance to load anything on the rack. I would have bought the VW alltrack, but wanted a diesel.

 

[sneaky]

I don’t think you can beat a crosstrek.

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What mileage you getting with that? My dad has a Forrester

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[cmahoney]

What mileage you getting with that? My dad has a Forrester

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I get about 30 with the regular tires and 28 with snow tires. Mine has a 5 speed, it’s been a great car. I don’t drive my truck nearly as many places since I got it.


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[Ndbowhunter]

Tough to beat a 4wd Japanese diesel wagon.

For my US dollars I'd buy a Toyota Matrix and make a flat bed in the back.

 

[MichaelO]

I hunted deer out of my Hyundai sonata this year. Only problem is you have to be real picky about where to park. Just can't justify a pickup truck on an already tight budget with a wife and kid to take care of so I make it work.

 

[Austink47]

My buddy had a little Subaru hatch back. He would use inflatable kitty pools to transport dead deer. He just inflated the edges. It worked great.

 

[Southforkguy]

Cool thread, brings back my high school memories. No western adventures, but I used to drive a 1995 Ford Escort wiht a 5 speed and the 2.0 or 1.9. I could burn rubber in 2nd gear, it went everywhere a truck could go. I took that vehicle all over hunting and fishing in Northern Wisconsin. I cant remember ever getting it stuck to where a quick push wouldnt get us out

 

[Southforkguy]

Cool thread, brings back my high school memories. No western adventures, but I used to drive a 1995 Ford Escort wiht a 5 speed and the 2.0 or 1.9. I could burn rubber in 2nd gear, it went everywhere a truck could go. I took that vehicle all over hunting and fishing in Northern Wisconsin. I cant remember ever getting it stuck to where a quick push wouldnt get us out

 

[87TT]

Maybe not quite as comfy on the road but...………………………………………………..goes ANYWHERE.

 

[Charon]

Honda Pilot, more cargo than a shortbox pickup, AWD, better economy, 250 hp V6. I pull a 1850 boat that weighs 3500#'s, could easily pull a lot more. I've had a tandem axle car hauler with all my BIL's worldly belongings on it behind my WIFE's 2010 Pilot. Not a full framed vehicle, so there were creeks and groans, and it sounded like the bolts were going to rip right from the vehicle, but it pulled it easily. Lots of room, very stable. Only problem I had was I broke a strut in half-yes half......I didn't think I was driving THAT fast through the corn stubble. We got to the field a bit late and were trying to hurry!

 

[Titan_Bow]

If you are coming out west and you KNOW for sure all of the access points you want to potentially hit are accessible by car then sure, no issues hunting out of a car. However, there are ALOT of times every year that I thank God I had a capable 4x4 vehicle with adequate clearance. I’ve come back to my vehicle and had to get home that night, greeted by a foot of snow for example. Or hunting the breaks in Eastern Montana one year, went in it was dry and the roads were smooth as pavement. Shot a mulie, got back to my truck and it started raining. Those pavement smooth roads turned to completely impassable mud pits. I had to drive out in 4WD Low and white knuckles! Even early summer camping with the family, we’ve come around a corner on a FS road only to find a 3 foot snow drift. I can stop, put it in 4WD and go right over it. In a car, you’d have to backtrack for miles, and that’s if it’s even possible to get around it. For me, I just couldn’t see recreating in the Rocky Mountains a ton without 4WD. It’s been interesting to see in Colorado, while you still see a lot of Subaru’s around, I swear Tacoma’s and 4Runners are giving them a run for their money now!


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