Best Hog-Doggin' vehicle? Opinions welcome!

[stoked]

I have been really thinking hard about getting an ATV, UTV, Mini-truck, Etc. I've come to a complete stand still. I have never owned any of them, always barrowed a buddies fourwheeler. I'm at the point where i'm kinda tired of not having enough room on a fourwheeler. So, I was thinking about getting a mule, rhino, or mini-truck. Has to be 4x4 of course. I want something that will at least haul me and a buddy. I was wondering if any of you guys could shine some light on the subject. Do's and Dont's or what size engine? Do i have to have bigger tires and a lift? I know a lot of you have them currently or have had one. What should I get and where from? Trying to get something for under $6,000 used. I don't know if that's gonna happen. Ohh, will a Rhino or Mule fit in the back of my truck with the tailgate down? I don't think it will cause a fourwheeler barely fits. I guess i'll have to buy a trailer too. sniff sniff...

Something like this!!

ULTIMATE HUNTERS DREAM! MANY UPGRADES FOR A LOW PRICE! only 210 miles! 4x4 limited slip and differential lock switch-front 3500 lb. warn wench-rear 4000 lb. warn wench (slides in reciever) - front and rear class 3 hitch- 2 55watt hologen fog lights- 2 110 watt mounted spot lights- 2 yellow parking lamps- fully operational turn signals/hazards-210 watt reverse lights- full length windshield and roof- full size and half size camo doors and back inclosier- camo seats and headrest with 5 point harnesses- digital speedometer, odometer, trip and time gauge- interior glove department and 3 stage heater ( hi- medium- low) 400 lb. electric dump bed with 400 lb. 180 degree pivoting deer hoist- Back tires: 28"x12x12- Front tires: 28"x10x12- Swamp witch tires with maxxis aluminum rims- 6" gorrilla lift kit with gorrilla axles(not on vehicle)-(axles are warrented for life)- HMF aftermarket pipe and black rhino CDI box (also not on vehicle)like new *SOLD AS IS*

$5,000

[stoked]

I went huntin' with nechesbobcat a while back and this kubota went everywhere the fourwheeler went!

It was a bad sob...

[stoked]

I figure this one will go where any fourwheeler will go!

[southsidehunter]

 
 I have been looking for something to, thanks for starting this thread Stoked. I would go with a small used toyota, the only reason I i haven't decided  is because farmers where i'm at don't want ruts. Back then it didn't matter. Sometimes its just a little to wet for a small truck. Next year I'm gonna have a ton of corn fields. Basically I want a ranger so I'm asking for donations lol j/k. Those things are nice but pricey. these cornfields are big so I ain't walking thats not an option. Sometimes its to wet and they won't let us even run a 4 wheeler so maybe a small toyota is the way to go, plus its cheaper.

[Monteria]

I think that it always depends on the type of hunting that you are doing, the # of people that you hunt with and the # of dogs that you take.

I think that the most versatile machine we have ever run was our Mini Truck, Mater. It was only good for two people in the cab but we built a removable bench seat in the back too so you could carry 4 people and six dogs easy. If it was just the two of us hunting, we would ditch the bench and could load 10 dogs in the bed. It was also stone deaf quiet. The Mini Truck was a BAD little rig! The one draw back was leg room. Them Koreans must be some short little dudes!

My second favorite rig is the crew cab UTVs. Again because of their versatile load capacity (assuming that you are willing to load dogs on the back seats) and offroad prowess. But they actually have a little less room than the Mini Truck (with the exception of leg room) and dog capacity is definitely diminished.

Between the two, my decision would be based on two things.
1) Which capacity and comfort is more important, Dogs or people?
2) leg room if you are too tall for the Mini
3) Expense.

I am currently running an '87 Jeep Cherokee which is also a great hunting vehicle. The fold down back seats and large cargo area make it very versatile and comfortable as well. With the back seats down, I can easily fit 8 dogs and 2 people. With the addition of a "hitch haul" dog box on back and a front rack/quail seat rack for the front (work in progress), I can fit 4 people and still carry 8 dogs. The only real drawback is the confined cargo area; Id definitely prefer a bed. That being said, this one doubles as a deer/quail rig and has proved a pretty good all round ranch vehicle. The Jeeps #1 attribute, AIR CONDITIONING!

Now If I were trying to do this on the cheap and was willing to give up a little here and there but expected a very capable, versatile and totally serviceable hunting truck, Id go for a little single cab Toyota or Nissan truck with A/C and rigged out with a removable bench seat in the bed. Something like this http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=104830 customized.

I may be in different country than you and I may hunt with a different style but a two seat UTV with a tiny little bed would not do me any good unless it were just me and a guest who didn't own any dogs.

Steve

[wcg89]

stoked...if that first rhino you posted is really 5,000...i would jump on that quick cause thats cheaapppp for that nice of one.  I just got an 09 Rhino and we have taken it a few times hunting, it nice to have with us especially to haul the cd's around

[nwlafrhh]

What size is the rhino listed at the top? 450 or 700? Thanks!

[wcg89]

Here is what we have been taking, we usually drive it around wherever we are hunting, and if the dogs don't strike while we are driving then we will walk them into where we think the pigs are hiding
09 Rhino 700Fi Ducks Unlimited Ed.

[stoked]

that is a sweet rhino, the one i posted is CHEAP.

i don't know what size motor though, i pasted what the guy wrote.

im sure that one is gone though....we'll see...

[Russ]

I'm with Steve I keep looking at Toyotas (My future hunting truck rolled though ) and then put a light weight Quail rig on the back... Like a 6 box set-up and a fold down bench on top. There is a Yankee quail guide on the ranch that has a crew cab Tacoma and he goes everywhere with that dang thing.

Next would be the mini-trucks, but we just delegate driving to the shortest guy in the crew

[stoked]

Their not as fun though..

I gotta have a UTV.

[lonewolf]

I like the Polaris Ranger 500 4x4 it'll almost go any where!!

[txmaverick]

that red dog is lookin at that situation with a look of "here he goes again always messin up a good hunt tryin to go someplace he shouldnt", kind of the look my dad just to give me, the "what the heck are you thinking" look

lonewolf did you end up there on purpose? if so WHY?

[txmaverick]

I know this is late but just got round to taking a pic of my rig.

[southtexasff]

What wrong with just hunting from the truck?  I guess I am just old school or poor because  I cant afford all the neat toys.

[earlisbubba]

I use a max IV with tracks.  It can go just about anywhere, and keep me dry at the same time.  I don't get anywhere very quickly, but it's nice.  The only problems I've had most likely have to do with the age of my machine.  It's a 96'.  I think a new amphib with tracks would be the ideal hog hunting atv, esp in east Texas.  Wish I could afford a new one.

[Eric]

Holds 4 people comfortably, AC & Heat, cd player, 4wd, very quiet, street legal, hold 6 dogs from factory with a little chain and a few snaps.

[bayinman]

check out the  utv's made by joyner at    team joyner usa.com     i have the commando , they also have a renagade bout 5000 less than the mule or rhino!

[matt_aggie04]

bayinman where did you buy yours?  I bought my mule brand and I didn't have to give as much as they are wanting for the joyner on their website.
MG

[BoarBuster254]

I guess i'm just old school.  I don't use a atv, utv, or any other when I go hunting.  I get there drop the dogs and hoof it.  The only time I hunt on a fourwheeler is when i'm hunting with someone else and it's theirs.  But if I had to get one it would be a mule 4X4.  I had one years back as a play toy and put that little SOB thrugh all kinds of crap and only got stuck once when I high centered in a creek.