Unconventional Hunting Rigs

[Billy Goat]

April 1st, 2010. Still use the same tent, just upgraded the truck.

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As fast as those trucks seemed to rust I figured it was a bit older than that.

You definitely take care of them.

 

[Where's Bruce?]

Annually sealed, waxed quarterly, washed whenever it needs it. OCD.

 

[Clarence]

Annually sealed, waxed quarterly, washed whenever it needs it. OCD.

OCD pays! Amazing the difference that kind of care and maintenance makes on a vehicle. Probably a line to buy you're used vehicles. Good looking trucks!

 

[Mattyq17]

Work in progress.....but some day will be my hunting rig.

 

[AK Troutbum]

As fast as those trucks seemed to rust I figured it was a bit older than that.

You definitely take care of them.

I don’t know about that, this is my ‘03 with almost 250,000 miles on it and not a spot of rust anywhere to be found. We live in some pretty harsh conditions and I don’t take anywhere near as good of care of my truck as what Where’s Bruce does, but everything seems to be in good shape.

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[Where's Bruce?]

OCD pays! Amazing the difference that kind of care and maintenance makes on a vehicle. Probably a line to buy you're used vehicles. Good looking trucks!

Funny thing is, I beat the ever-lovin' shit out of it offroad during archery season. The right side of the truck takes more of a beating when I navigate through very tight trails and don't see all the thicker branches...hillbilly pinstriping and busted fender flares happen! Last season both bumpers were hanging low and crooked cuz I spent so much time offroad. But I have a great body shop that repairs it after every season. That's includes replacing the scratched clear coat and a ton of buffing. I love my truck but it is still merely a glorified wheel barrel.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

I don’t know about that, this is my ‘03 with almost 250,000 miles on it and not a spot of rust anywhere to be found. We live in some pretty harsh conditions and I don’t take anywhere near as good of care of my truck as what Where’s Bruce does, but everything seems to be in good shape.

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If that rig could tell stories!

 

[AK Troutbum]

If that rig could tell stories!

Oh, she does all the time. In fact, just this morning after sitting all night in sub zero temps., she talked to me for the first couple miles while driving into work. Actually, now that I think about it, she was more or less just bitching at me, rather than talking to me.

 

[Ndbowhunter]

Haha, my old truck does the same thing. Then she settles in after a wee bit.

Then again giving inanimate objects human qualities is a sign the squirrels haven’t been let out of the cage enough lately.

 

[Billy Goat]

I don’t know about that, this is my ‘03 with almost 250,000 miles on it and not a spot of rust anywhere to be found. We live in some pretty harsh conditions and I don’t take anywhere near as good of care of my truck as what Where’s Bruce does, but everything seems to be in good shape.

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Must be something different about the ones here in the mid-atlantic. The rear fender-wells especially.

Do they bother putting treatment down on the roads up there? Or y'all just drive on snow for half the year?

 

[AK Troutbum]

Must be something different about the ones here in the mid-atlantic. The rear fender-wells especially.

Do they bother putting treatment down on the roads up there? Or y'all just drive on snow for half the year?

Just sand and gravel I believe. From what I understand, we don't use salt up here for a couple of different reasons. Salt doesn't really work under extremely cold conditions, and the environmental impact that salt has, as well as salt helping to attract moose into our roadways (which we have enough of a problem with already).

My in-laws live in the Pittsburgh PA. area, and all the vehicles in that area, older than about 7 years, are usually complete rust buckets.

 

[Billy Goat]

Just sand and gravel I believe. From what I understand, we don't use salt up here for a couple of different reasons. Salt doesn't really work under extremely cold conditions, and the environmental impact that salt has, as well as salt helping to attract moose into our roadways (which we have enough of a problem with already).

My in-laws live in the Pittsburgh PA. area, and all the vehicles in that area, older than about 7 years, are usually complete rust buckets.

It's not a true brine mixture that they use anymore I don't believe. Still doesn't seem to be very nice to the vehicles. Your also right that below 25 degrees or so it's not very effective. I prefer grit on the road myself.

 

[Fireman03]

 

[11boo]

I can’t claim it as mine. We were doing a “training” run with the VFD brush fire rig.

 

[406sparky]

Not the most conventional elk hunting rig but you gotta do what you gotta do.

 

[money]

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i need me one of these things

 

[Forestryguy]

I roll in a 2006 Subaru Forester. No one seems to suspect out of all of the rigs at the trailhead, it's the guy in the Sub who is going 6 miles deep for a couple of nights, and is going to kill something. I had driven trucks before I got that rig as a combo commuter plus something I could hunt out of. It has almost 9 inches of clearance and the AWD on it is pretty amazing. It goes all sorts of places. We joke now that we pretty much rally that thing on many of our adventures.

I also frequently have my mountain bike strapped to the back, further throwing people off the scent. That bike has gotten me into some cool places and gotten some critters out in short order with a simple bike trailer. I often take the bike antelope hunting and can use networks of oil and gas roads like a champ to get around way quicker than the guys on foot. In the area I hunt, you can't access the roads legally by vehicle, but you can carry a bike a short way across country and, voila, you are on a road system.

SHHHHHHHHH!!!!

 

[Dos Perros]

@Wrench I'm 37 yearls old, about 145 pounds in elk hunting shape, fairly athletic, didn't grow up around ATV's and motorcycles...would I be suicidal to consider trying to learn now? I'll hand climb through chutes in rim rock but to be honest a steep rocky grade on an ATV or motorbike scares the chit out of me.

 

[Squamch]

@Wrench I'm 37 yearls old, about 145 pounds in elk hunting shape, fairly athletic, didn't grow up around ATV's and motorcycles...would I be suicidal to consider trying to learn now? I'll hand climb through chutes in rim rock but to be honest a steep rocky grade on an ATV or motorbike scares the chit out of me.

Nothing wrong with learning as an adult. You're likely more risk-averse now anyway, so less chance of experiencing the educational broken wrists, ankles, and collar bones so many of us had.
If you go with a bike, or a quad, get a small one. Crf230 or 250, 400 or smaller quad. Enough jam to have some fun, but not enough to get in way over your head like the larger machines. Do some recreational riding too, to help get comfy on the machine before hunting season. If you're on a bike, spend some time practicing riding with a pack on.

 

[Wrench]

I grew up on bikes. I have a yz 250, xt225 and the tw. The tw is super easy for a non rider to putt around on. Its everything you need and nothing you don't.

I struggle on it compared to the others. I like to ride feet on the pegs and prefer a narrow bike....but its fun and stupid economical and very quiet.

For me the xt is the best compromise, but would be less forgiving for a new guy.

The tw with my tire choice and geared down will go anywhere it can get traction....which is more places than you'll be comfortable going.