Narrow road, body and paint damage during Elk hunt

[satchamo]

I tore the absolute piss out of my paint last fall in AZ on an elk hunt. One afternoon with a high speed buffer and compound and they were gone. I’d go for it and fix it later

 

[GunsAreFun]

Personally, I would get an ATV or UTV with a small haul trailer or just make a few trips.

That or just send it and live with it. Get a white truck next time that shows less scratches.

I was just getting to not care about this stuff with my 2010 truck the last couple years before I sold it and got a 2021. Now it would probably bother me again but I’m trying to not let it. We are bringing ATVs this year partially for this reason but partially because it just takes so long to get down these roads in full size trucks when you could zip through in an ATV.

The reality is, it doesn’t seem like people give a crap about light scratches and dings when buying 7-8+ year old trucks. It’s just expected.

 

[Jaquomo]

Every big game hunting vehicle I've had in the past 55 years has had those "pinstripes", dents, bumps, etc. It goes with the territory because big game hunting and scouting is what I do.

 

[Norcal18]

As I’m painting in my house I just remembered seeing online one time someone used painter’s tape. Get the widest one and have at it

 

[trophyhill]

Wear 'em! We call them New Mexico Pinstripes and they are a point of pride around here.

I got rid of my big truck and bought a Jeep Gladiator. During my deer hunt in January SE NM, I was pleasantly surprised I was able to squeeze in between "most" of the cactus and mesquite. I came out pretty unscathed comparatively speaking with past experiences.

 

[trophyhill]

Every big game hunting vehicle I've had in the past 55 years has had those "pinstripes", dents, bumps, etc. It goes with the territory because big game hunting and scouting is what I do.

1 year hunting 421 in CO i drove up Mudhill Road. Had a new pick up almost a year old. It was 2016. I remember thinking before I drove thru the overhanging oak trees, "welp? Can't keep it looking great forever" as I took the plunge. The truck had the badge of honor within the 1st 50 feet. My self justification for the deep scratches was "it's a huntin truck, it's supposed to look like that" lol

 

[bz_711]

I just grin and bear it each time.
My first suburban was black and the Mtn pin stripes were nearly white when all said and done.
Next suburban was gray and the striping still showed through pretty good.
Now have a yukon xl and went with silver...silver and white trucks definitely help with hiding the pin strips...but they are there.

People often comment on them and can't believe I'd do that to a daily driver family car...but I just smile and let those pin stripes remind me of each bull I shot during those trips.

I mostly just focus on keep my oil pan in tact when I'm on those roads

Good Luck!

 

[Andrew12gauge]

Just paint your truck in bedliner, nothing will scratch it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FoggyScope]

Drive up there more. Once it wears through all the clear coat the scratches wont show up so bad.

 

[Oakman]

Drive up there more. Once it wears through all the clear coat the scratches wont show up so bad.

Don't forget the horse blinker

 

[Jaquomo]

1 year hunting 421 in CO i drove up Mudhill Road. Had a new pick up almost a year old. It was 2016. I remember thinking before I drove thru the overhanging oak trees, "welp? Can't keep it looking great forever" as I took the plunge. The truck had the badge of honor within the 1st 50 feet. My self justification for the deep scratches was "it's a huntin truck, it's supposed to look like that" lol

Happened to me shortly after I bought a new F150. Wife and I headed down a narrow road that kept getting narrower, with no way to turn around. I wasn't going to back down a mile, so I adopted your attitude, and now I no longer worry about it.

 

[dgfavor]

Three words - U T V

 

[Oakman]

Thanks for all the feedback, I really appreciate everyone’s input!
I understand everyone has their own approach, but here are the options I’m weighing right now:

A. Load an ATV/UTV onto the truck bed or rent one once I’m there
B. Add some kind of paint protection, some folks have mentioned magnetic shields
C. Park closer to the trailhead and hike in from there

I'd love to be okay with scratching up a new truck, still not quite ready to accept that... maybe I’ll get there eventually

 

[taskswap]

Badges of pride.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Every pickup I buy going forward will be white. The darker the color, the more the scratches show.

 

[chizelhead]

I tore the absolute piss out of my paint last fall in AZ on an elk hunt. One afternoon with a high speed buffer and compound and they were gone. I’d go for it and fix it later

Same. That was my group’s experience and remedy after elk hunting in AZ multiple times.

 

[outdoordan]

I bought a sxs for that exact reason. I got tired of tearing up my truck. Now I'm selling it because I'm moving. If you need to buy one I have a 2020 can am with trailer for sale. Has lot's of upgrades.

 

[chindits]

Buy a huntn truck and get rid of the prom truck

 

[eddielasvegas]

I'd find another pursuit if you're worried about a few scratches on a truck.



Eddie

 

[Jason Snyder]

I bought a white Tundra that was 12 years old at the time. And I have a buffer.

Not everything buffs out though