Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: boneaddict on November 22, 2022, 01:30:57 PM

Title: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: boneaddict on November 22, 2022, 01:30:57 PM: I travelled alot this week and I honestly couldnt believe how many trailers or rigs I saw with an ATV on it or in the back. I'm curious what the numbers are here.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: pianoman9701 on November 22, 2022, 01:38:55 PM: When I hunt, which is usually archery, I do so in NFs in areas where ATVs are heavily restricted.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: nwwanderer on November 22, 2022, 01:48:26 PM: Used to, they were both stolen
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: trophyhunt on November 22, 2022, 01:51:03 PM: When I hunted Idaho every year, my atv was a must, they aren’t commies in Idaho. Here in Wa I leave it home for the most part, they make me buy tabs but don’t give us many places to hunt w it.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: BigCutty3 on November 22, 2022, 01:51:35 PM: I don’t have one but I felt like I was about the only one that didn’t in Montana last week. They were a rarity three years ago and now you see more of them then vehicles while driving around.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: baldopepper on November 22, 2022, 01:51:47 PM: I kinda started to think it was a requirement. Ran into couple of guys on a regular quad who said they were selling it to buy a side by side because it was to cold to ride around on the quad all day.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: highside74 on November 22, 2022, 01:53:26 PM: What I can't believe is how many people have utvs that cost $30k and up. It's amazing that a new Pioneer or Ranger 1000 with modest appointments after freight, setup and tax is pushing $23k plus now.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: timberfaller on November 22, 2022, 01:56:24 PM: My $6000 jeep works just fine, takes me where I need to go.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: mcrawfordaf on November 22, 2022, 02:03:24 PM: Chewelah and all the surrounding Colville National Forest is jam packed with quads and side by sides every time I go up there. Huckleberry mountains is about the same for any of the non-timber lands but not nearly as dense of riders as up north I've found.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: CP on November 22, 2022, 02:20:29 PM: No quad. Maybe an ebike and/or motorcycle.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: boneaddict on November 22, 2022, 02:23:46 PM: I should have included those, I did see a few trailer with them, but not near as many as the SxS
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: baldopepper on November 22, 2022, 02:28:40 PM: Kinda funny when they tell me they bought that $20,000+ utv because it saves them on expensive gas when they drive around
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Mtnwalker on November 22, 2022, 02:39:39 PM: Depends on the hunt but it did this year. Had a couple close calls in my diesel, I do not like it on mountain roads once the snow starts to fly.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: jrebel on November 22, 2022, 02:42:36 PM: I love my SxS and quad. I bought the SxS so I didn't beat up my 75K truck in the hills. It also provides a more comfortable ride than my truck on gravel roads. It has a winch and is very easy to get unstuck should you actually find yourself in a pickle. To this date....I have never been puckered in my SxS.....can't say that about any truck or jeep I have had in the past.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: sjhgraysage on November 22, 2022, 02:48:24 PM: I don't have that kind of disposable cash to afford either.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Shawn Ryan on November 22, 2022, 02:51:19 PM: No for me. I mostly hunt designated wildernesses. However, on an OR spring bear hunt in regular NF, it seemed that a SxS, toy hauler, and new diesel pickup was the norm. I talked with a rancher who was mending fences and using a SxS. He says he uses the SxS a lot more than his fullsize pickup because its faster and better ride. All that machinery makes my Kifaru backpack and LaSportiva boots seem reasonably priced! ;)
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: grundy53 on November 22, 2022, 02:52:14 PM: Over here in NE Montana I feel like I'm the only one the doesn't have a SxS or a quad.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: kirkl on November 22, 2022, 03:18:53 PM: Winthrop deer camp- No Yakima elk/deer hunting, Yes I ride my SxS. 3/4 truck beats me up. But we ride all year long with alot of green dot roads around.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Pathfinder101 on November 22, 2022, 05:19:43 PM: I know me. I'm afraid I'd use it.
I'd like to think that I'd buy one, then just use it to get to the trail head or to recover game. But then, I picture myself looking up at some death-hell hike and thinking "maybe I should just drive part-way up..."
If I had a dollar for every time I've seen game perk up their ears and run off for "no reason", then I saw a quad some rollin over the hill 5 minutes later.... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: NOCK NOCK on November 22, 2022, 05:30:23 PM: Quote from: baldopepper on November 22, 2022, 02:28:40 PM
Kinda funny when they tell me they bought that $20,000+ utv because it saves them on expensive gas when they drive around

My truck gets about 8MPG when driving in the mountains
My SxS gets about 70mpg
I hunt, and Tcam ALOT
Does not take long to make up the difference, Plus its used for fun rides, snow plowing, some work, etc.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: NOCK NOCK on November 22, 2022, 05:35:33 PM: Quote from: Pathfinder101 on November 22, 2022, 05:19:43 PM
I know me. I'm afraid I'd use it.
I'd like to think that I'd buy one, then just use it to get to the trail head or to recover game. But then, I picture myself looking up at some death-hell hike and thinking "maybe I should just drive part-way up..."
If I had a dollar for every time I've seen game perk up their ears and run off for "no reason", then I saw a quad some rollin over the hill 5 minutes later.... :rolleyes:

Interesting. I have sat in a blind elk hunting with numerous elk in front of it, on many occasions, and have quads/sxs drive by 100-150 yards away and it never bothers them. To be fair though, this is in an area that sees quad use daily as long as there is not much snow.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Naches Sportsman on November 22, 2022, 05:47:50 PM: My Tacoma and legs can go everywhere a side by side can go and my legs can take me farther. Ride ATVs and Side by Sides for work and I can say that I see more animals while on my feet or mtn bike than I do running around on motorized vehicles.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 22, 2022, 05:50:32 PM: Quote from: jrebel on November 22, 2022, 02:42:36 PM
I love my SxS and quad. I bought the SxS so I didn't beat up my 75K truck in the hills. It also provides a more comfortable ride than my truck on gravel roads. It has a winch and is very easy to get unstuck should you actually find yourself in a pickle. To this date....I have never been puckered in my SxS.....can't say that about any truck or jeep I have had in the past.
:yeah: Sxs has more room than truck, can seat 6 in a pinch , A/C, electric windows, dump bed, goes anywhere, runs all day on 5 gal gas. My Rubicon Gladiator with 2” lift and winch sits in camp, SxS so much more practical! Street legal in MT so can use on fs roads there, ID, and parts of OR. WA not much.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: trophyhunt on November 22, 2022, 06:05:03 PM: Tracks are needed for this years snow, they are bad azz.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Duckslayer89 on November 22, 2022, 06:16:42 PM: I bought a 520 this year for 50 inch restricted trails and also the last Idaho elk hunt and sheet of ice roads we were driving on with the truck. Can’t get chains on most trucks now in the front.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: pat2bear on November 22, 2022, 06:29:06 PM: Quote from: sjhgraysage on November 22, 2022, 02:48:24 PM
I don't have that kind of disposable cash to afford either.
Same here. Too po to even afford the or.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Alchase on November 22, 2022, 06:32:57 PM: Quote from: BigCutty3 on November 22, 2022, 01:51:35 PM
I don’t have one but I felt like I was about the only one that didn’t in Montana last week. They were a rarity three years ago and now you see more of them then vehicles while driving around.
:yeah:

I think I am the only one in Oklahoma who does not have’s a side by side in deer camp.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 22, 2022, 07:07:07 PM: Quote from: pat2bear on November 22, 2022, 06:29:06 PM
Same here. Too po to even afford the or.
:chuckle: :tup:
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: KFhunter on November 22, 2022, 07:15:46 PM: I've been taking a bike with me to camp, this year I went way down a single track meant for horses but bikes were OK too on the signs so I made a camp 6 miles back

didn't see or hear a single SXS nor did I see another hunter, nor did I see an elk :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: 2MANY on November 22, 2022, 07:19:59 PM: Horses, quads, sxs, and boots is what we take.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: hunter399 on November 22, 2022, 07:46:46 PM: Quote from: mcrawfordaf on November 22, 2022, 02:03:24 PM
Chewelah and all the surrounding Colville National Forest is jam packed with quads and side by sides every time I go up there. Huckleberry mountains is about the same for any of the non-timber lands but not nearly as dense of riders as up north I've found.
I totally agree
And about 50% the gates are broke open and pickups driving around.
Here I'm walking in ,it's crazy.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Ridgeratt on November 22, 2022, 08:00:51 PM: Guilty as charged! I have a SXS I will use this winter running a trap line. able to haul the cage traps for Bobcats without killing myself dragging them on a sled. When I start this, I will have the traxs bolted on it.

The last weekend I wasn't seeing any deer moving in the area I was hunting so I went exploring and had found that a group had jumped the kelly humps and had driven on everything that resembled any type of road. Large truck, sxs, and 4 wheelers. I found where they had set up a pop-up blind with a big buddy heater with chairs and a tree stand. Looking like they were going to film their hunt, Had a pile of hay within range.

Buddy went to Kettle Falls and stopped to pick up some Cob. The person in the store said that a person had came into the store and bought all the compressed hay they had that day. So there should be some huge bait pile in the Boulder creek area for the bow hunters.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: actionshooter on November 22, 2022, 08:11:23 PM: Yep, I have one and have used it a bunch, along with my truck, raft, goats, boots and my buddies horses. We will use whatever tool is best for the job.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Alchase on November 22, 2022, 08:21:10 PM: I would love to have one just for fun. I am torn on how they can be more useful than a midsized truck or Jeep that you can turn on the heat or AC, and be out of th weather.
But I may just be missing what I don’t know :dunno:
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: huntnnw on November 22, 2022, 09:42:49 PM: Used a sxs this season all year long. Saved hundreds of miles on my truck this year on crap roads. I hunted places this year that woulda been a huge pain in the ass in truck where I woulda had to chain up. Im able to camp now on better roads and use it to access my areas. I know wonder how I hunted without one.

Whats funny is I was in MT bowhunting this year for 2 weeks and barely saw a 4wheeler or a sxs, go to ID and you are the minority if you dont have one
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 22, 2022, 09:51:09 PM: Quote from: Alchase on November 22, 2022, 08:21:10 PM
I would love to have one just for fun. I am torn on how they can be more useful than a midsized truck or Jeep that you can turn on the heat or AC, and be out of th weather.
But I may just be missing what I don’t know :dunno:

My Can Am has as good of heater and A/C as my jeep truck, way better visibility, electric windows, roomier, better ride, fully enclosed 6 passenger cab.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 22, 2022, 09:52:56 PM: Yes, dependent on state hunted.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: huntnnw on November 22, 2022, 09:55:51 PM: saw dudes pulling 2 jeeps in MT from WA this past weekend hunting. To me that completely defeats the purpose of towing something over to hunt with. If I can drive a full size jeep I can drive my truck on it. The fuel to haul those around versus a light trailer and a 1,500lb sxs or quad isn't comparable
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Smokepole on November 23, 2022, 05:03:28 AM: I boot up and go in on foot. It's liberating.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: MIKEXRAY on November 23, 2022, 05:53:59 AM: Boot hunter only, prefer the quiet.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Katmai Guy on November 23, 2022, 06:16:55 AM: Not during deer or elk season, ATV w/ tracks just when calling for coyotes, bobcats or cougar in the snow.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: NorseNW on November 23, 2022, 07:00:17 AM: Quote from: KFhunter on November 22, 2022, 07:15:46 PM
I've been taking a bike with me to camp, this year I went way down a single track meant for horses but bikes were OK too on the signs so I made a camp 6 miles back

didn't see or hear a single SXS nor did I see another hunter, nor did I see an elk :chuckle: :chuckle:

I'm in the bike / hike camp as well. I normally shut it down at 5 miles back but had the same results as your this year!
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Ghost Hunter on November 23, 2022, 07:24:53 AM: Kubota RTV, used mostly as a work vehicle, but it does take short farm trips. ;)
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: lemondog on November 23, 2022, 07:37:36 AM: I am blessed to own a truck, quad and a heated cab side x side. Not at all afraid to start at the bottom of the mountain and head for the top on foot. I hunt multiple states and each method has a place for best use. I have 2 bows and 2 rifles. Not a collector. I consider all of the above "tools" needed for different hunts. It's all good as long as you do not abuse the privilege.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Scruffy on November 23, 2022, 07:45:40 AM: How secure are sxs? To those that use them do you use them to road hunt or are you going to a spot and parking it to go hunt? I would be afraid it wouldn't be there when I got back.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: whacker1 on November 23, 2022, 08:23:42 AM: depends on what state and what geography we are hunting.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: KFhunter on November 23, 2022, 08:26:32 AM: Ya, I couldn't answer yes or no

Some camps do (not mine) most don't
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: HereDuckyDucky on November 23, 2022, 08:27:54 AM: In Washington, most of my hunting is from home, so no need. However, when I hunt elk in Idaho, I take my sxs to get from base camp to where we start hiking down (5-15miles). Typically park the sxs at the top, hike in for a few days, and then hike back to the sxs after we shoot something. I've never hunted from the sxs.

RW
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: boneaddict on November 23, 2022, 10:31:37 AM: Do you ever worry about someone doing a backcountry tune up, leaving it like that? I worry about what condition I will find my truck in upon my return at a trailhead. I can’t imagine that.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: jrebel on November 23, 2022, 11:04:32 AM: Had a buddy years ago that had two snowmobiles messed with while hunting. Another hunter was pissed off that they used snowmobiles to get above everyone and hunt down so that hunter hiked up and ripped all the spark plug cables off and did some other damage rendering them useless. Game dept. and law was called and they caught the guy. He got in some quite a bit of trouble, had to pay restitution and had a healthy fine.

I worry about it too and if I'm in an area where there are a lot of hunters, I will do my best to not park it for long periods of time. I often will disable it to prevent theft and or chain it to a tree. Make it as hard as possible to steal.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: Alchase on November 23, 2022, 11:19:46 AM: Quote from: Magnum_Willys on November 22, 2022, 09:51:09 PM
Quote from: Alchase on November 22, 2022, 08:21:10 PM
I would love to have one just for fun. I am torn on how they can be more useful than a midsized truck or Jeep that you can turn on the heat or AC, and be out of th weather.
But I may just be missing what I don’t know :dunno:

My Can Am has as good of heater and A/C as my jeep truck, way better visibility, electric windows, roomier, better ride, fully enclosed 6 passenger cab.

Nice! See I learn something every day here! :tup:
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: kirkl on November 23, 2022, 12:03:01 PM: Quote from: Alchase on November 23, 2022, 11:19:46 AM
Quote from: Magnum_Willys on November 22, 2022, 09:51:09 PM
Quote from: Alchase on November 22, 2022, 08:21:10 PM
I would love to have one just for fun. I am torn on how they can be more useful than a midsized truck or Jeep that you can turn on the heat or AC, and be out of th weather.
But I may just be missing what I don’t know :dunno:

My Can Am has as good of heater and A/C as my jeep truck, way better visibility, electric windows, roomier, better ride, fully enclosed 6 passenger cab.

Nice! See I learn something every day here! :tup:
But his is about 30,000-35,000 lol. There not cheap, We see a canam like that this year and guy said he paid close to 35k.
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: huntandjeep on November 23, 2022, 04:12:05 PM: Quote from: Alchase on November 22, 2022, 08:21:10 PM
I would love to have one just for fun. I am torn on how they can be more useful than a midsized truck or Jeep that you can turn on the heat or AC, and be out of th weather.
But I may just be missing what I don’t know :dunno:
It's not that they are more useful then a jeep but they are more comfortable at higher speeds . I have both . A 2022 General XP4 Ride Command with heater and Polaris upper doors and a highly built Jeep TJ with custom valved Fox Shocks . What takes me 30 minutes in my Jeep takes half as long .And no im not that guy doing 50 mph in my SXS . I bought the SXS because the kids are getting bigger and the back of the TJ was getting less comfortable for them .

As to the original question . Yes I will use mine hunting and yes we do take one to Montana. They are a game changer over there . When the roads get muddy or drifted in , We can get into those areas others can't
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: HereDuckyDucky on November 28, 2022, 04:00:03 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on November 23, 2022, 10:31:37 AM
Do you ever worry about someone doing a backcountry tune up, leaving it like that? I worry about what condition I will find my truck in upon my return at a trailhead. I can’t imagine that.

Not really. It takes a special kind of crazy to go where we hunt.

RW
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: kellama2001 on November 29, 2022, 09:08:34 AM: Like others have stated, it depends on the hunt. ID yes, for getting from camp to hunting location, then boots from there. WA not so much for hunting, but we use ours for work (construction), around the farm and lots of recreational riding. They are a blast!
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: BR549 on November 29, 2022, 05:34:36 PM: Well, I guess last weekend it was a side by side; sort of...
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: bigmacc on November 29, 2022, 07:58:34 PM: No. Well I guess maybe😆 I usually have my son, a partner, a grandkid, or my wife. We usually walk in side by side. Sometimes maybe a few steps behind, always asking to shush!, there could be a buck over this hill, or, stop here, you go around, there’s some does in the bottom, stay low, stay quiet…….. nope, no side by sides.😆
Title: Re: Does your Hunting camp have a Side by side or a wheeler parked in it
Post by: mtn muley madness on December 12, 2022, 08:09:55 PM: My quad and dual sport don’t get used during hunting season they just sit in the garage… as I am busy hunting.