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New Weekend hunting vehicle - all Trucks way too Much $$$$

If I were looking for a weekend hunting rig I'd look for an older Ford Ranger. Simple to wrench on if needed, can be found cheap, parts are widely available and cheap, still has a truck bed and 4wd. Older Yotas are sweet too but a lot of off road guys are looking for those. If you want something bigger an 80s or 90s full size Bronco or Blazer would be a good pick too.
 
I have an SUV, not as a dedicated hunting vehicle, just as my normal vehicle that I also use for hunting because it’s all I’ve got. Fits my canoe on top, and you can get a deer-sized rack that plugs into the hitch for when you shoot one. Then I just fold down all the seats and put all my gear in bins in the back. I used to have a pickup truck and I actually prefer the SUV now for when I’m hunting alone because it has enough of the functionality I had before with the truck, plus my gear isn’t cold from storing in the truck bed. And it also has the added benefit of not standing out as a hunter’s vehicle, which is great if you hunt some suburban areas and don’t want to be harassed by the anti-hunter who thinks they own the public land near their house because that’s where they like to walk their dog. Not sure if any of these features fit your hunting style, but hope this helps!
 
I have the largest Tacoma money can buy and if you are in the market for a truck, I can’t recommend Toyota enough. They’ll outlast Keith Richards in the apocalypse. Even a pre-owned Tacoma with 200K will last you longer than the average truck.
BUT...
I’ve seen 150 lbs of skin-on venison pack pretty neatly into an Accord and a Camry, if you don’t mind the smell. If you do, you’ll need a game carrier on the tail.
 
My biggest deer every got taken out of the woods in the back of a mini van! When I got done dragging it out a game warden was waiting for me it was around 1am at this point. He told me he was about to call for a search party he thought I had gotten lost. Told me it wasn’t every day you see someone in a mini van kill a buck like that then took pictures of it shook my hand and drove off. If the game warden doesn’t suspect it then it’s a great cover is my point lol!
 
Used truck market is hot. Now that I own a pickup I don't think i'll ever be able to go back to something smaller. But I made do with a ford focus for many years before I upgrade to the pickup. Somewhere I have a picture of two of a deer stuffed into the trunk of that thing. I've also put them on top of my wife's ford escape, though in hind sight it would have been better to get a hitch and then one of those shelves that attach to the hitch.
 
If you find a truck or van at good value, I have hauled two 350-lb hogs plus two peoples’ archery gear and day bags, plus boots and ice in a 6-ft truck bed. I’m sure any car/van/truck with 5-6 feet of free length or convertible seating can accommodate you. Just make sure you can get it unstuck from mud...
 
DanO said:
For those with cars/suvs/vans - what do you do with roadkill? Super easy with my truck to throw them in the back, no worry about blood all over.

(I just admitted on a public internet forum that I pick up roadkill. Is that a bad thing??)
Click to expand...
We saw one get punted one time and I swear the knives were out and we were coming to screeching halt before it landed. Called the DNR, put a tag on it and we were burning backstraps in an hour. Nothing to be ashamed there my friend.
 
I'm rocking a station wagon. Plenty of room for junk in the trunk.
 
Yep. My helper just sold his daughter’s Boone Cruiser (Subaru Outback) for $5500 and it was in mint condition.

The only thing off road that will stop a Subaru is getting high centered.
 
Quigley cargo 4x4 conversion. Yeah, I know, not cheap but there aint a better vehicle for hunting, sleeping in, changing clothes, spreading out, etc.
If you can get away with 2wd then a plain jane cargo van.
I just saw a sweet Quigley out in Montana. The guy got it used for $10K. He loves it.
Quigley...my dream vehicle.
 
It really depends on your needs.

I personally have a high mileage crewmax tundra for big, long distance, western trips with friends. These trips require reliability, space, and off road capability. Hunting at home usually is done with my corolla. I stuff deer in the trunk with an Otter sled.
 
What about an older model Subaru Forester that you took the back seats out of and gutted the trunk area? Should have plenty of room. A friend in Michigan bought one really cheap, drove it like a mad man for the winter through everything and had a lot of fun with it.
 
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