Can you make in WY w/o a 4x4 with success?

jpine · Sep 27, 2005

Here's a question for you experienced western hunters....can you hunt successfully in Wyoming without a 4x4 vehicle. We're considering driving a VW Jetta from Mi due to fuel costs and hoofing it in and out of our hunt areas. We have several ranchs to hunt for Mulies and Goats, but would also like to hike and hunt some of the BLM areas in area C just to see the country.

We can drive a Trailblazer...don't know if it's necessary to be successful. Plan to leave Thursday? Thoughts or comments for a Whitetail freak from Michigan? Good luck all on the opener and enjoy, we sure will regardless of our success.

searcher · Sep 27, 2005

I have been hunting in WY for the past 7 years and each year has been different. Some years it has been dry enough that you could go just about anywhere in two wheel drive. Other years, I have had my Dodge Dakota 4X4 hung up crossing a small stream. The water wasn't that deep but the banks on both sides were all rutted out and the mud was real soft. It was easy to get high-centered in the ruts. WY mud can be very slippery too. I have always taken a 4X4 truck but have probably been in 2 wheel drive 97% of the time. I do think driving a car would limit your access because of the low ground clearance. I don't know much about Region C but where I hunt, if I get stuck, I am on my own because AAA would never find me. Especially on the back pastures of some of the private ranches. I drive 1650 miles to get to WY. Most years, I have split the gas with somebody and never spent over $200 for gas. This year, I am budgeting $750. Gas prices suck but I'm not going to stay home. I also take a shovel, tow strap, extra jack, jumper cables, and a small 12-volt air compressor. Good luck on your hunt. I am leaving Thursday also.

kilowatt · Sep 27, 2005

It all depends on the weather, try doing a 15 day check of the weather for that area at www.weather.com This would give you an idea of the forcast and then plan from that.

Do make sure that you have chains no matter what, play it safe.

Brian

wyomuley · Sep 28, 2005

I live in region C around Buffalo and I have been in four wheel drive more this archery season than not it is raining as I speak. Unsure of where you are going but I would personally not chance it and bring a four wheel drive. However there is some hunting that could be done with a car but you will probably not be able to get to some of the better areas.

PronghornHunter · Sep 28, 2005

Yes you could if the weather is nice and dry but I wouldn't advise hunting with a vehicle other than a 4x4. It could be nice one hour and the next be snowing.
If you do and get caught in a storm there is always Search and Rescue to come find you.

ansonlynn · Sep 28, 2005

If you gamble and lose, you can always rent a 4x4!

Some car dealers will rent their used "low-end" stock.

Ask the rancher where you are hunting, they might have a ranch truck they'd rent for an extra fee. Most ranchers I know have several pickups, half of them running!

I leave today, in a Dodge Ram 4wd. We expect to spend $550-600 for gas.

fletch · Sep 28, 2005

What would you do with your animals if you drive the Jetta? mail them home?

kilowatt · Sep 28, 2005

It can be done if you are really bent on a non-4x4.

Foreman4x4 · Sep 28, 2005

Kilowatt, that's a classic!

fletch · Sep 29, 2005

That is great!

MontanaTines · Sep 29, 2005

That's funny stuff, i'd be great to see the wheel wells from the side. With regard to the intitial post, 4x4 without question.

shedyoda · Oct 6, 2005

Please let me see something even close to as funny as that this year on the freeway. Great picture.

It'll probably cost you more to repair the Jetta trying to get to a hunting spot than the difference in fuel cost. What's a new muffler $200-$300 bucks?