zonzin
Member
here's a good read for you on appropriate elk caliber that will do the job and not break the shoulder. I have a .338 RCM, awesome rifle.
Short But Sweet
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Elk Hunting with the 4Runner?
- Thread starter KP Texan
- Start date
here's a good read for you on appropriate elk caliber that will do the job and not break the shoulder. I have a .338 RCM, awesome rifle.
Short But Sweet
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Thebeastlives
New member
I watched 3 guys in 4 door polaris ranger utv carry out a bull elk with all their camping n hunting gear. A 4 runner would make this an easy task compared to what these guys had to work with.
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Ahh, the fine memories this thread brings back.
I solo drove my `86 FJ60 out to Colorado a few years ago (23 hours each way) and collected a nice 5x6 free-range organic specimen. I took the elk to a butcher in town that would flash freeze it. The entire butchered and frozen elk fit into a single 120qt Igloo cooler, but just barely.
I strapped the head and antlers onto the roof rack (along with spare tire, a highlift, a shovel, and a couple of 5gal gas cans) and stuffed the salted hide into an XL game bag. On the way home I dropped the head, antlers, (for a European mount) and hide at a local taxidermist. I now have grizzly, moose, caribou, and elk 'blankets' from the hides I've collected and had tanned (hair on).
I slept in the back of the FJ60 with my gear and the cooler on the way out and on the way back.
My biggest problem was getting over the I-70 pass to go through the Eisenhower tunnel - that FJ60's 2F engine had 135HP when new and I did that trip with 200K on the odometer. If I recall, l had to drop into 2nd gear to climb that pass - semis would even overtake me, but we made it just fine.
That FJ60 had less interior room than my 5th gen 4R, but a roof rack, trailer hitch mount basket, small utility trailer, or what ever extra storage capacity you can get would definitely be a good idea.
I solo drove my `86 FJ60 out to Colorado a few years ago (23 hours each way) and collected a nice 5x6 free-range organic specimen. I took the elk to a butcher in town that would flash freeze it. The entire butchered and frozen elk fit into a single 120qt Igloo cooler, but just barely.
I strapped the head and antlers onto the roof rack (along with spare tire, a highlift, a shovel, and a couple of 5gal gas cans) and stuffed the salted hide into an XL game bag. On the way home I dropped the head, antlers, (for a European mount) and hide at a local taxidermist. I now have grizzly, moose, caribou, and elk 'blankets' from the hides I've collected and had tanned (hair on).
I slept in the back of the FJ60 with my gear and the cooler on the way out and on the way back.
My biggest problem was getting over the I-70 pass to go through the Eisenhower tunnel - that FJ60's 2F engine had 135HP when new and I did that trip with 200K on the odometer. If I recall, l had to drop into 2nd gear to climb that pass - semis would even overtake me, but we made it just fine.
That FJ60 had less interior room than my 5th gen 4R, but a roof rack, trailer hitch mount basket, small utility trailer, or what ever extra storage capacity you can get would definitely be a good idea.
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In the first 3 minutes of video you can see a lot of how we had the 4Runner packed. It was 3 of us mule deer hunting. We did stay in a hotel. We had to take the basket off going up trails it would drag to bad. Only had 500 miles on 4Runner when we went. It impressed me a lot with its capability stock.
YouTube
YouTube
I am planning to take the 4runner elk hunting this year, but luckily I go with a friend who drives a 3/4 ton diesel so we will quarter it and put it back there. I will be camping in my RTT though, and if I planned to haul the elk home I would buy a trailer hitch cargo carrier to do so. wrap it up and protect it in a tarp, then ratchet strap it down well. I had a backup plan to do so just in case I had to go by myself.
this one is pretty decent, had it for years before it started to rust out a bit too much and then i accidentally backed over it when i had it off the vehicle offroad to make it easier to unload some gear out of the back. still did the job after that although it was pretty bent. Ended up replacing it with one of these which i do find slightly more useful: https://www.ebay.com/itm/60-Folding-Car-Truck-Cargo-Carrier-Basket-Luggage-Rack-Hitch-Hauler-Receiver-/352785624636
Thebeastlives
New member
So all those dudes hunting with their 4wd utility quads up here in Az must be crazy..lol no way you load a bull elk on a quad
AZ_UPThereRunner
New member
[MENTION=323406]xyzzy[/MENTION] I'd love to see a picture of that Bull on your rack on top of the 4runner!
a good hitch cargo carrier is the way for gear/coolers
I do A LOT of hunting and switched from a full size pickup to SUVs about 5 years ago, and never looked back. I solo hunt 90% of the time so that also shapes my decision. However, I love being able to jump in the back to sleep at a trailhead or just sleep in the 4Runner on short weekend hunts.
The only issue I have ever had is if you get a big bull, you’ll have to strap the skull/antlers to your roof rack. Luckily, I rarely have that problem with elk, as I mainly bowhunt and late season cow hunt, so I’m usually packing small bulls or cows or nadda [emoji2957]
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The only issue I have ever had is if you get a big bull, you’ll have to strap the skull/antlers to your roof rack. Luckily, I rarely have that problem with elk, as I mainly bowhunt and late season cow hunt, so I’m usually packing small bulls or cows or nadda [emoji2957]
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eddielasvegas
Member
All this talk of elk hunting has me jonesing for my draw results. 
. Should be any day now to find out.
Titan_Bow: I also hunt solo often and have not seriously considered sleeping in my T4R since it gets durn cold in N. AZ on late rifle hunts.
How do you keep warm? A high quality sleeping bag with a sub zero rating?
Thanks,
Eddie
. Should be any day now to find out.Titan_Bow: I also hunt solo often and have not seriously considered sleeping in my T4R since it gets durn cold in N. AZ on late rifle hunts.
How do you keep warm? A high quality sleeping bag with a sub zero rating?
Thanks,
Eddie
All this talk of elk hunting has me jonesing for my draw results.
Titan_Bow: I also hunt solo often and have not seriously considered sleeping in my T4R since it gets durn cold in N. AZ on late rifle hunts.
How do you keep warm? A high quality sleeping bag with a sub zero rating?
Thanks,
Eddie
On a full tank of gas you can probably get a full two to three days of run time with the heat on. I would recommend having an CO alarm in the vehicle while sleeping with the engine running. That said it would of course be prudent to be mindful of what fuel you need to get back to civilization. Although I would think a proper Elk hunt would entail miles of hiking and a camp out in the forest for a few days and not likely going between a good spot and the vehicle day to day. Though you could get lucky, or have great road access into the forest. Furthermore I seriously doubt anyone hunting elk especially by themselves is taking the whole carcass out of the woods in one trip. Quarter or debone in the field and pack it out in a couple trips. That is if you are by yourself and not on a guided hunt, or with a pal. Hunting Whitetail is easy compared to an Elk hunt.
On using a 4Runner (4WD) it should not be a problem for an Elk hunt in most locales. Like everything else plan plan and plan again. Someone mentioned a trial run, great advice!
eddielasvegas
Member
Looks like my T4R will be elk hunting later this year as I have pending elk tag charge on my CC.
Eddie
Eddie
Fatmeateater714
New member
Hey Texan,
I use my 2016 4runner for Muledeer and Elk hunting from CA, NM, AZ, and CO. I fold the rear seat flat. Haul two Rtic 110 coolers inside our personal gear goes behind drivers and passengers seats and on top and around the coolers. I use a tow hitch basket and haul a Rtic 145 cooler on that space on the side of the basket for more gear. Also have a Gobi roof rack for additional gear. I've hauled two Cow elk home with that layout. Most of my out of state trips there's usually 4 of us so we have two vehicles 4runner and tacoma. Typically 2 guys per vehicle. Each vehicle carries coolers for and gear for the two in that vehicle. I was going to attach pictures of my vehicle loaded but can't for some reason.
