Cars for Hunting

[NateK]

I know I've seen several threads on here about which truck/suv may be the ideal hunting rig but I want to know how many of you guys use a car for a hunting rig. When I'm deer hunting near home in TN I use my 1996 F250 but it isn't ideal for 1,400 mile road trips. I can (and have) taken my wife's V8 4x4 explorer on western trips but have recently been looking at getting a beater car for my daily work commute and if I could use that man could I save on gas. Obviously I would still be driving the explorer on hunts that may require driving in significant snow or down really bad roads but for everything else driving a car could reduce the cost of a hunt by over $300.

Just curious if any of you guys hit the trail head in a civic or sentra!

And if you have any creative ideas on how to transport a TW in a little car let me know...

 

[WoolyBugger]

I had a wrx for a while with plans to make it a hunting rig.. 35 mpg, awd, lots of space, turbo makes it fun to drive too. Did take it on one hunt and it did well but I started tweaking with go fast parts and decided one expensive hobby was enough

 

[FLAK]

I remember back in the day the thing to have was a Baja Bug/Cut down VW bug. Big ole Mudders in the back.
Pickups have become so $$$$$ I have about decided to give them up
and get an SUV 4x4.

 

[Sterlingsilva]

I had a wrx for a while with plans to make it a hunting rig.. 35 mpg, awd, lots of space, turbo makes it fun to drive too. Did take it on one hunt and it did well but I started tweaking with go fast parts and decided one expensive hobby was enough

That's sounds pretty good but i call bs. I have a NA 2.5rs and it only gets about 30mpg

 

[Sterlingsilva]

My go to hunting vehicle is an 02 Grand Cherokee with a V8. I sleep in it when need be, hauls my camper and the AWD is amazing in weather and off road. It only gets 16mpg in the city but I guess you can't have everything

 

[Rich M]

Toyota Corolla has taken me hunting plenty of times. Pulled a trailer with an ATV on it too. Have a cargo carrier for the trailer hitch too.

Use what is available and make it work!

That being said - If I get drawn this year, will rent a 4 door full size pickup for the trip. Have a bit of gear for a 10 day hunt with 4 days of driving, ATV, wall tent, coolers, etc. Just seems easier and don't have to worry about maintenance, etc.

 

[Rodéo]

I've only gone hunting in my nissan altima... Has its limits (can't cross streams, no 4x4 roads, etc) but it gets me where I need to go and starts up every time. Looking to sell it and pick up a tacoma as I'm starting to get more serious about big game hunting and I'm not looking forward to the 10mpg drop in gas mileage but it's worth it for me as the most I plan on driving to hunt is 4 hours.
IMO a sedan severely limits ones ability to access certain roads and carry certain gear (coolers for big game mostly) but it can do the job. Especially since you have access to a 4x4 vehicle you can decide which one to take on any given trip.

 

[bbell]

I have a Subaru Forester. Other than getting made fun of by friends and coworkers I really like it. Pretty good clearance and the all wheel drive works really well. I have geolander all-terrains on it and they seem to work great. You can even get lifts for them.

 

[S.Clancy]

My Honda Fit does pretty well. I have to be careful clearance wise, but it prob goes 90% of the places I do. I've had an entire quartered 6 point bull, antlers, gear and my dog inside. Plus, I've legitimately gotten over 40mpg on longer trips.

 

[jjchad]

Make whatever you can work. My grandpa started out on a one horsepower horse. Keep on keepin on.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

 

[S.Clancy]

I have a Subaru Forester. Other than getting made fun of by friends and coworkers I really like it. Pretty good clearance and the all wheel drive works really well. I have geolander all-terrains on it and they seem to work great. You can even get lifts for them.

My brother has gotten a forester some terrible places

 

[Fatcamp]

2006 Toyota Camry with Bridgestone Blizzaks.

We have a roof rack on it and a massive box that straps to that.

Off road performance sucks. Gets cramped on long drives. In a bad storm it would not be ideal.

That gas mileage though.........

Two large coolers fit across the back seat. Tent in the roof box. Gear in trunk.

 

[Downeaster]

I used to take a Camry wagon places that people with real offroad rigs would flip out over back in college. Fold the seats down, throw a tarp in, and she was good for carrying two deer and all your gear. If you unpacked, threw the deer in first and then crammed all your stuff back in, it was slick. Miss that old girl. I could do some real damage for cheap if she was still around.
Thanks for reminding me. Great times!

 

[mtmuley]

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

 

[nodakian]

My high school girlfriend’s brothers took her VW Bug hunting. It went anywhere they wanted.

They got a cow elk out whole one time. Tied it’s back legs to the rear bumper, hoisted the body on top of the cab, and tied the front legs to the front bumper. Very interesting visual. The elk looked like it was getting busy with the bug.

 

[ridgefire]

I have a Subaru Outback that works awesome for what you are looking for. I get approx 24mpg, big enough to sleep in the back if needed, does better than expected off road, you can put a roof rack on it and tow a small trailer if needed. I have used it for deer and elk hunting many times.

 

[bcimport]

I have fond memories of hunting out of my dads beater Saab hatchback. Lots of dead antelope rode home in that thing with the AC on keeping everything cool.

I have taken a Pontiac sedan up to northern bc on a couple of occasions. Getting the caribou antlers in the back seat took some figuring. Fuel economy trumps all if you’re not needing to do any off road type activity.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I've used a 2005 Dodge Neon for years. Never had a problem fitting anything in it, the gas mileage is great......there is no ground clearance. I'll probably pick up a Subaru when it dies.

 

[NateK]

Not gonna lie, I’ve considered a Subaru myself. Much better fuel economy than a bigger rig and pretty darn capable. Plus it would blend in with the backpackers at the trail head!

 

[huntsman22]

Just curious if any of you guys hit the trail head in a civic or sentra

Heck no..... Make mine a '72 Pinto......