Do you take a chain saw with you

[Luked]

Looking at doign a rifle hunt next year and with the plan to burn a wood stove firewood is going to be a must.
Do you all take a chain saw with you I assume? I know I have seen a lot of the bigger hand saws but to me a Chain saw just seems like a better option.
Which saw do you guys take? Are you taking a big saw with a 18-20" bar for really clearing stuff or do you use a smaller saw mainly for firewood that has like a 16" or smaller bar?

 

[Tod osier]

Looking at doign a rifle hunt next year and with the plan to burn a wood stove firewood is going to be a must.
Do you all take a chain saw with you I assume? I know I have seen a lot of the bigger hand saws but to me a Chain saw just seems like a better option.
Which saw do you guys take? Are you taking a big saw with a 18-20" bar for really clearing stuff or do you use a smaller saw mainly for firewood that has like a 16" or smaller bar?

I always have a chain saw in the truck to open a road up if for nothing else. Used to be a small stihl, but now a milwaukee 14" battery saw. If you are looking for firewood in addition, it doesn't seem like you would want to process rounds that are much more than a small saw will handle.

 

[ElDiablito]

Truck camping? I always have a 16” Stihl with me as @Tod osier says.

 

[Choupique]

I always have a chainsaw, but mostly for cutting my way out if a tree falls over the road.

 

[Luked]

Going to mainly be truck camping yes.
I don't have a huge need at home for a Chin saw but with going out west as you all said clearing a road or just firewood I think I'm just going to pick one up

 

[mtnbound]

I always have a chainsaw in my truck in case a tree is blocking my path. Typically, it's a top-handle style with only a 14"-16" bar. I'll bring a bigger one if I'm doing more serious work. The Milwaukee M18 battery 14" top handle is impressive, but so is the Echo Top handle 14" gas saw; both are easy to pack for trail work.

 

[Tod osier]

Going to mainly be truck camping yes.
I don't have a huge need at home for a Chin saw but with going out west as you all said clearing a road or just firewood I think I'm just going to pick one up

Fun to buy stuff, but isn't inconsequential to deal with one if it isn't' part of your lifestyle. Keeping it fed, running well and sharp requires messing around disproportionate to the benefit if you don't already have one. I'd just bring a hand saw if I didn't have a chainsaw that I used all the time.

 

[go_deep]

Will you be able to about this area, or visit this area before season?

 

[cnelk]

I have a chainsaw in my truck at all times.
Ive had to to cut my way in to go hunt and cut my way out. Especially since I hunted where beetle killed trees are always falling.
I also cut firewood every year.

If you dont have a gas chain saw, Id recommend getting a Milwaukee 18v battery chain saw. Less crap to carry, and it cuts just as well as a gasser. Especially if you dont need one all the time

 

[Steve300xcw]

Saw stays in the truck for the most part.

Which saw do you guys take? Are you taking a big saw with a 18-20" bar for really clearing stuff or do you use a smaller saw mainly for firewood that has like a 16" or smaller bar?

362 with a 24" bar does truck duty. I'd go for a longer bar but then they dont fit in the toolbox as well. The extra reach is nice.

 

[Matt5266]

Always have a chainsaw in the truck when heading into the mountains. I also carry a backup handsaw.
Dewalt 20V chainsaw is nice and quite. On sale for a smoking deal at home depot right now.

 

[Jtb.kfd]

Like most other posts I always have a chainsaw when traveling in the mountains. Transitioned to a Dewalt 20v five years ago. I bring two extra batteries, two spare 16” chains, and a charger I can run off my trucks inverter. The bar comes off in seconds with no tools and the whole thing fits in a small tote container. No gas smell anymore in the vehicle. I can cut enough firewood for our 10 day elk hunt in the wet/cold Cascades with those three batteries. This is for a 16x30’ wall tent, we go through a lot of wood. I keep the saw in the tote year round and just toss it in when heading out.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I always at the very least have a 16” gasser and throw in a battery option if there’s room just to have on hand.

 

[Axlrod]

Me and all my hunting partners all have the Dewalt 20V. We cut wood from camping season until the end of hunting season. I loaned my Stihl gas saw to my son a couple years ago. I hope he doesn't bring it back!

 

[Luked]

Will you be able to about this area, or visit this area before season?

I will not be able to visit the area before season.

Im not new to Chain saws by any means. Have used them a lot in past years.
Its just not something I need as I don't burn wood at home etc.
But my parents did. So I'm not new to them by any means.

My thought was just a small gas powered saw to keep in the truck like most of you have said if a road needs cleared etc and to cut firewood at camp.
The smaller Stihl saws would work plenty well for what I need I think and no more than I would use it. And are fairly cheap to buy new.

 

[manitou1]

I switched to a Milwaukee M18 electric chain saw... for quietness, ease of use and no mess with gas.
Wouldn't go back!

 

[Maverick1]

I own a two chainsaws. One gas, one battery. Gas has more power but smells and have to deal with gas and oil. Battery is much handier but far less powerful. Have never taken them on any trips. If I did it would be the battery, with a bunch of spare batteries.

 

[Robobiss]

Going to mainly be truck camping yes.
I don't have a huge need at home for a Chin saw but with going out west as you all said clearing a road or just firewood I think I'm just going to pick one up

I’m assuming based on the fact that you don’t already have one that you are not someone that has spent a lot of time running one.

Be careful. The time to learn how to use a chainsaw and learn how not to cut yourself from @sshole to elbow is not on a national forest road 20 miles from pavement with no help around. A chainsaw in the hands of someone inexperienced is just as dangerous as a loaded gun in the hands of someone inexperienced, if not moreso.

If you are a former timber faller that has thousands of hours of eating sawdust under your belt that just happens to not own a chainsaw anymore, ignore this comment. If that’s not the case, just keep the above in mind and be careful.

Edit: I read down further. Sounds like you’re gtg. I’ll leave the comment above as a disclaimer for anyone else that searches the topic.

 

[Jbehredt]

A single blown down aspen forced me to take a long drive at the end of a long day this year when it blocked the road. 18v Milwaukee is on my Christmas list.

 

[justinspicher]

I always have a saw in my rig as well, but they are handsaws. One is a 14” now saw and the other is a 3’ single man crossfit saw with detachable handle. I also keep a couple of wedges and files with it.