Elk Hunting with the 4Runner?

[KP Texan]

I'm trying to help plan an OTC Elk hunt in Colorado with 3 other guys and was wondering if this is even doable. This would be a non-guided remote type hunting trip where we would park and then hike to set up camp, etc. FWIW, my 4Runner would just be for 2 of us and there will be another vehicle.

Have any of you done this with your 4Runner? Is it even possible without a truck or trailer? I've heard a full elk could take two 120 quart coolers (or even more) to transport, which seems like it would make things difficult. Not to mention if we need to transport antlers, etc. which would make things interesting.

I'd love to hear any of your experiences!

 

[N2TRKYS]

I've been thinking about the same thing with my 4Runner. Seems like it would be tough without a good roof rack.

 

[[email protected]]

Its doable.. having a rack or even a trailer hitch rack would help immensely. I had a hitch-mounted Gambrel hoist made. Makes field dressing so easy. If you have coolers without wheels its doable. A lot will come down to how you process your game. Are you expecting record setting bull(s)?

 

[ECUDrummer]

Just prop him up in the front seat. Seat belt preferred, since it's the law.

 

[DallasStarsFan]

It can be done but is going to require planning on all hunters parts. How much room your required gear takes and how you pack it. If your taking 2 vehicles this should not be a problem unless all 3 take an animal but with OTC.....better luck than I have. I would suggest a trailer hitch basket and a roof top cargo bag. The bag can be stowed inside and take up little room but offer storage incase you need it for the trip back. Some dry runs before hand will tell you a lot about your packing

 

[delloro]

Just prop him up in the front seat. Seat belt preferred, since it's the law.

But then the air bag would ruin the meat....

 

[delloro]

I've been thinking about the same thing with my 4Runner. Seems like it would be tough without a good roof rack.

That's exactly what i was thinking. The roof rack would be key.

 

[trapshot68]

But then the air bag would ruin the meat....

No, I think you can use the Takata airbag as like a humane claymore. And bag your kill that way.....

 

[KP Texan]

Its doable.. having a rack or even a trailer hitch rack would help immensely. I had a hitch-mounted Gambrel hoist made. Makes field dressing so easy. If you have coolers without wheels its doable. A lot will come down to how you process your game. Are you expecting record setting bull(s)?

I've got a hitch rack, but nothing other than standard roof rack. I'm not really expecting record setting bulls, but I suppose we need to plan for it just in case.

I always go into hunting with the mindset that it's more about being in the wilderness and the lifelong memories and experiences being gained than it is about bringing home meat and trophy. I've been on several hunts where I got nothing, but it's always made for great memories. I think a hunt like this would be a lot of work, so I'm hoping that won't take the fun and sense of accomplishment out of the adventure.

 

[Colorado S14]

I shot a 400lb cow elk this year and brought it all back in the 4Runner.

We had two 120qt. coolers in the back and those took up 50% of the 3 dimensional space of the hatch area. They were pressed to the sides and that left enough room between for my rifle case and a couple other items. They came up to maybe 4-5" below the rear window opening so you had all the room above them. You then also had all the room on top of the folded second row seats. We typically add a rear hitch platform/basket for stuff like wood and other camp items and have nothing on the roof. This setup has proved to be enough for 5 days of camping.

Go lean and mean and you will be fine. Western hunting is pretty much hiking with guns and if you think of it that way you will have plenty of space, lol.

 

[N2TRKYS]

Not trying to hijack, but what receiver hitch rack do y'all like the best?

 

[flyrv9]

Got a deer with a 63 Ford one time. Almost no damage at all!

 

[Yelkceb]

I've been able to fit a bull elk in the back of a 2dr wrangler after I broke it down. You should be completely fine in a 4runner.

 

[MrJux]

Just prop him up in the front seat. Seat belt preferred, since it's the law.

Qualify for the HOV lanes on the ride home too.

 

[Colorado S14]

Not trying to hijack, but what receiver hitch rack do y'all like the best?

I have this one:
https://www.amazon.com/Highland-1...

Cheap and certainly not the best, but it has worked out pretty well and if it ever got stolen/crashed/beat up I don't really care.

 

[zonzin]

I quarter elk out before packing them out of the woods so they are no issue to load up in the back of the 4runner. Last year I got a 5x5 bull several miles in from the trailhead so after quartering, I hung it in a tree overnight.
On the way back to the trailhead the next day, I had my buddy with me to help pack it out. W spot a nice 4x4 buck standing on a hill side. My bud had not tagged a deer yet so he took the shot and dropped the buck. We wanted to get the elk out before it got to late so we left the deer in the woods , recovered the elk, and came back for the deer on the way to camp.
The 4runner had no issues with a bull in the back and a deer in the middle. This was with our 4th gen,, our 5th gen even has more room.

 

[KP Texan]

I quarter elk out before packing them out of the woods so they are no issue to load up in the back of the 4runner. Last year I got a 5x5 bull several miles in from the trailhead so after quartering, I hung it in a tree overnight.
On the way back to the trailhead the next day, I had my buddy with me to help pack it out. W spot a nice 4x4 buck standing on a hill side. My bud had not tagged a deer yet so he took the shot and dropped the buck. We wanted to get the elk out before it got to late so we left the deer in the woods , recovered the elk, and came back for the deer on the way to camp.
The 4runner had no issues with a bull in the back and a deer in the middle. This was with our 4th gen,, our 5th gen even has more room.

Wow, thanks for the input and photos! So it appears that the 4Runner can do it, assuming you take the proper precautions to protect the the interior (may not be that difficult if we can put everything in coolers anyway). My biggest concern at this point now is leaving my beloved 4Runner at a trailhead for several days by itself since we will be hiking in and camping. Still trying to evaluate whether or not I can stomach that. One thing I know for a fact is that a 4Runner is pretty much in its element while in the mountains and woods!

 

[1996_Valencia_Owen]

But then the air bag would ruin the meat....

Free tenderizer from Toyota...

 

[zonzin]

Wow, thanks for the input and photos! So it appears that the 4Runner can do it, assuming you take the proper precautions to protect the the interior (may not be that difficult if we can put everything in coolers anyway). My biggest concern at this point now is leaving my beloved 4Runner at a trailhead for several days by itself since we will be hiking in and camping. ..

I just put a couple of tarps on the middle seat and it kept the blood in check. Remember,, its a truck, it's going to look like it if you use it for anything but mall running.

As for the trailhead, I have hunted CO and ID for decades and have never had a problem with camp or parked rigs, Everyone is armed and everyone is polite. Just throw a couple of empty boxes of ammo up on the dash to remind perps that you have a gun,, and it may be pointed in their direction.



.

 

[FloppyD]

I want to try elk hunting but I have experience only with grouses and turkeys. I believe it's time to try since I got a new car. Right now I have only a Marlin 60 which is a small calibre one though. You can read this article about it and another rifle. Gonna buy a new gun soon.