Full on or dedicated hunting vehicle

[Hedgehog]

In another thread about hard or steel tops for a '75 CJ5 I mentioned that my purpose or usage of the Jeep was primarily for a hunting predator vehicle. Some folks might not know what that is or don't understand hunting in the West, quite possibly there are some that believe my purpose to be unethical.

Eduacation: No I'm not hunting FROM a vehicle, I am using the vehicle for transporation during a hunting day. Hunting and even shooting from vehicles is legal in some places, the first to come to mind is Texas where they do EXTREME modifications to vehicles making them into all out hunting vehicles with platforms on the roof complete with remote driving controls on the roof. This in not my goal, hunting FROM a vehicle is illegal here in Arizona. My use would be for transport to the field, then make a 15-20 minute stand about 200 yards from the Jeep, return to the Jeep and travel 0.5-1.0 mile, then do it all over again. The day starts at legal shooting light and ends when the sun goes down. Camping in the field might be part of the hunt. Why not walk, simple coyotes spook from a walker and stay put for a vehicle. Higher numbers are possible with a vehicle.

I would like to make a hunting vehicle that can conviently carry my firearms, 2 per hunter for my partner and me. One will be the primary weapon in use, the other stored safely in the vehicle while on stand which lasts for about 15-30 minutes. It needs to carry hunting gear, 2-6' step ladders (elevated stands) and coolers for food. ..... oh yeah, and I'd like to carry a canoe for summer use.

I have been thinking about this for quite some time now. There are a bunch of ideas flopping around in my head like fish on a beach but nothing is set in stone yet. So, I think it would be fun to toss around what you fellas would like in the perfect hunting Jeep. You can talk and design around MY needs or I'd be glad to hear about YOUR needs.

 

[rr41mag]

I popped two from a tree stand the first time I hunted in Texas. I hate yotes. As far as your jeep is concerned how about one of those racks that mount in the receiver hitch with a stout box mounted to it that locks?

 

[IOPort51]

I have very different views on varmint hunting than you do but we will agree to disagree on that.

With that said, this project is to make as efficient and comfortable a hunting transport as possible, I would ask a few questions.

Is this a night time hunt, spotlights, game calls etc. A day hunt, cold weather , warm weather, are your ladders to get you into a tree stand or are they the shooting platform themselves? you want 4 rifles, how easy to access/ how secure.

 

[Hedgehog]

Is this a night time hunt,

Night hunting has become legal in Arizona, but only in the past couple years. I haven't participated in it yet.


spotlights,

Lights are possible, I've been out of the game for the past couple years so I don't know if lights can be attached to the vehicle.


game calls etc.

All types of calls are legal here. I much prefer hand calls, but I do have electronic calls used when I simply can't stand the idea of blowing on another call.

A day hunt,

Most likely I'll be calling during the day but, with night hunting now being legal I might try that. I've never hunted at night.

cold weather , warm weather,

Yes Not terribly cold, but Arizona has a great variety of climates and echosystems running from deep desert to high desert snow.


are your ladders to get you into a tree stand or are they the shooting platform themselves?

It's sort of a southern Arizona thing, we use them as elevated stands. I was a moderator on Predator Masters for 7 years and we talked a great deal about ladder hunting. Believe me I've heard all there is to hear about 3 legged fruit picking ladders and making purpose built stands. It's always good to hear everybodies ideas. So, even though I didn't invent using ladders, for many years I was known as "the ladder man". Lets say, I regularly take predators in country many people believe is un huntable. A predator rooky I am not.

you want 4 rifles, how easy to access/ how secure.

One for each hunter should be easily accessable, the other should be relatively safe.

..................................................................................................................................................

IOPort51 - You can go private message for this, how do our views differ on varmint hunting? As said above, I've got great deal of experience in internet and public speaking so I've probably heard most opinions on the subjest, I'd be interested in yours.

RR41mag - The reciever hitch rack cariers are deffinately in the mix. I'm considering front and rear carriers. They will probably be used to carry well covered animals taken during the day.

This is one way predator hunting, especially coyote hunting has changed over the years. Back when I first started your coyote take was more or less displayed, not like a trophy, but thrown over a rack or tire carrier on the back until time was available to pull the skin. Today such display is fround on and could even get you tossed from a predator hunting club for public display of a bloody animal taken during a hunt. In this sensitive day a coyote being transported is supposed to be out of sight or covered.

 

[Peanut Butter]

Hedgehog, first thought is that I have always believed in hunting for wildlife management. I think it is sad the we now have to manage our preditors the same way, imo.

I love to camp, but also enjoy a few conviences. So, I 'm planning a small camp trailer for my equipment. The idea here being not to have to load down the Jeep everytime I go. With 4 hunters and gear, you are thinking of loading up the back and front bumper. IMO a trailer sized for a jeep would be a better route. To me the front bumper should be reserved for a brush guard and winch. I've only used a winch a couple of times while 4 wheeling, I try to avoid getting stuck, getting unstuck is work. But I would not to have been without one. So now that limits what you can carry, imo. You also want camping equipment, a place to carry game, and ladder(s). I'm still seeing a small trailer in your future. Anyway, good luck with your project. Post lots of pictures - we simple minded folks can read pictures much easier . And I am a firm believer that even a bad day out with mother nature is better than a good day in the office! Rod

 

[Hedgehog]

I'm thinking 2 hunters with calling gear. Not really a lot, but the rifles & shotguns are longer than can be easily carried in a CJ5 . Well long enough to require some consideration in the design side of things.

Predator control has always been more of a western consideration than an eastern one. Even in the east it has been part of life in the outdoors. But possibly in a quieter way. Predators used to be trapped in legl hold traps with trappers more or less keeping to themselves and quietly selling big piles of fur. Fur prices were high enogh for some to make a full time living at it. With fur prices declining and more and more regulation on trapping, especially on publicl land fewer anfewer trappers are outhere reducing the populations. Here in Arizona it it illegal to trap on public land. With Arizona having a great deal of public land it is necessary to hunt as I do. Please don't think that I take a lot of predators. Compared to trapping, people like me can only scratch the surface of the numbers once taken. Generally I go after problem animals attempting to reduce those that damage livestock or farming efforts. Yes, farming. A coyote will bite and destroy an incredable numbe of mellons in a day by walking along and biting them when they are small. Why, nobody seems to know.

I'd also like to get into pig hunting. In some areas pigs are a real problem, fortunately they aren't as poblematic here in Arizona though.

 

[mstar]

Hey now let's talk hunt'in.. My main off-road use is during hunting trips in the fall.Our main rig was the '69 CJ5 for about 10 years.Then during it's restoration we needed a vehicle so bought the TJ.We hunt in the east side of Oregon and camp for about a week.That being said the need for firewood
is apparent.I use the hitch rack and stack it as high as we can.When the big event happens the deer,antelope, or elk get a ride back to camp on the hitch rack. The warn 8274 winch is a must have for game retrieving and is loaded with 400' of 5/16" cable.Inside the jeep I carry 500' of "mule tape"
to help reach game.Also the usual snatch block,straps,tie-downs,line.
BLM,USFS,and Oregon require fire tools during fire season which includes,shovel,axe and bucket or fire extinguisher.personel gear includes first aid kit,spare water,cell phone charger,etc. Firearm transport is basic.passenger holds on to the rifles.The grouse gun is in the back with the extra gear and day packs.Late hunts I may carry a set of tire chains.
With the TJ I do lock it when we leave it to hunt and don't leave binoc's and valuable's in plan sight.The sway-bar disconnect is worth it to smooth the ride over the burms in the road.

 

[Hedgehog]

Hey, somebody took all the air out of your antelope. Now that's my dream, for the past few years I've been focused on Predator hunting. My wife hated game meat and wouldn't have anything to do with it. For a long time I continued to hunt game, mostly with a bow. Then she got rid of my game freezer and I was forced to quite. We've been divorced for 2 years now and I've finally got a decent hunting vehicle. By god I am going to start hunting everything again. First on the menu will be a rabbit dinner. I haven't had rabbit in years. Good memories there for me .......................

 

[mstar]

Hedgehog, well that was my laugh for the morning.Antelope hunting is more fun than I ever imagined.The meat is also excellent as they eat mostly grass and alfalfa(thank you mister rancher)The bad part,takes 9 years to get a tag in Oregon.Between my wife and myself we have taken
4 pronghorn. Must guys go out of state(Wyoming) if they want to hunt regularly.We do have archery hunts Oregon. I believe Arizona and Nevada have a good population.
One thing in regard to jeeping on BLM land was I got a huge amount of grass and sage stuffed in between the skid-plate and muffler.I was amazed that it didn't catch on fire. Another good reason to carry a large fire extinguisher onboard.The BLM Ranger said they have 1 or 2 vehicles burn up every year. I use cable ties to strap my shovel and axe to the pet barrier behind the seats. Could be a need for permanent mounting in your equipment list like you would do for hi-lift jack. mike s.

 

[wm69]

I think you should buy a Scrambler. Never pass up an opportunity to have an excuse to buy another Jeep.

 

[tarry99]

In another thread about hard or steel tops for a '75 CJ5 I mentioned that my purpose or usage of the Jeep was primarily for a hunting predator vehicle. Some folks might not know what that is or don't understand hunting in the West, quite possibly there are some that believe my purpose to be unethical.

Eduacation: No I'm not hunting FROM a vehicle, I am using the vehicle for transporation during a hunting day. Hunting and even shooting from vehicles is legal in some places, the first to come to mind is Texas where they do EXTREME modifications to vehicles making them into all out hunting vehicles with platforms on the roof complete with remote driving controls on the roof. This in not my goal, hunting FROM a vehicle is illegal here in Arizona. My use would be for transport to the field, then make a 15-20 minute stand about 200 yards from the Jeep, return to the Jeep and travel 0.5-1.0 mile, then do it all over again. The day starts at legal shooting light and ends when the sun goes down. Camping in the field might be part of the hunt. Why not walk, simple coyotes spook from a walker and stay put for a vehicle. Higher numbers are possible with a vehicle.

I would like to make a hunting vehicle that can conviently carry my firearms, 2 per hunter for my partner and me. One will be the primary weapon in use, the other stored safely in the vehicle while on stand which lasts for about 15-30 minutes. It needs to carry hunting gear, 2-6' step ladders (elevated stands) and coolers for food. ..... oh yeah, and I'd like to carry a canoe for summer use.

I have been thinking about this for quite some time now. There are a bunch of ideas flopping around in my head like fish on a beach but nothing is set in stone yet. So, I think it would be fun to toss around what you fellas would like in the perfect hunting Jeep. You can talk and design around MY needs or I'd be glad to hear about YOUR needs.

Hedge ,
I think your over thinking how much outfitting of a Jeep is really necessary. Weapon storage , coolers and gear........yes in moderation.....but don't make the vehicle so cumbersome that it becomes hard to hunt out of. I have hunted all over the West and unless your into an area for and extended period you need to go in lite. Here are some pictures of my Jeep that has seen Colorado , Wyoming, Utah, Nevada Etc. on several occasions. The gear you need or don't need will always be in a state of progression. After many trips you'll know what you do or do not need.
If you want to see more pictures of this Jeep go to this site:
Making my CJ-5 into a CJ-6 / II - Page 5

Deer, Antelope, Pigs and Predators have all been hunted from this vehicle for many, many years.

:

 

[Hedgehog]

Over thinking, well .... yes and no ..... I'm a believer in doing it once a d doing it right. I've also been hunting predators for 30 years (except for the last few years), I'm no rookie as to what I need on my predator hunting trips. Lockable vehicles like my Trooper, Bronco, Xtera and a short flirt with a Honda Elememt have served me well for years. When I hunted out of my '80 CJ5 the hunts were different and very similar to yours (even the jeep color). Most of my gear was in the form of a back pack, the rifle, handgun and knife were with me, I slept on the ground cowboy style. Loved hunting like that. Even with the small amount of gear things were occasionally stolen from the Jeep. I had a very cheap set of speakers that didn't last 12 hours.

Today I use several set-ups for different ground and different hunt units. The gear required has increased significantly.

The most important thing as you've mentioned is the need make the vehicle easy to hunt and camp with. Second in importance is keeping the vehicle from being top heavy. ......oh yeah and keeping plenty of toilet paper on hand.

At thid point I'm considering:

Gun Racks up front, a lockable center consol, the back covered in a metal tanho cover similar to a contractors tool box, receiver hitch cargo carrier, possibly a hinged receiver hitch cargo carier in the front. The Jeep already has front recovery points and a 12,000 lb Winch. The rear bumper hasn't been made yet, but it will be hellishly strong with reciever hitch, recovery points, a place for H.L. Jack and the usual tire carrier.

 

[Hedgehog]

I think you should buy a Scrambler. Never pass up an opportunity to have an excuse to buy another Jeep.

Actually I wanted to get a Scrambler, but they weren't locally available when I bought the '75.

The sad truth is I'd like to be able to buy my next hamburger, so at this time the Scrambler is out of the question.

 

[Petescj]

Actually I wanted to get a Scrambler, but they weren't locally available when I bought the '75.

The sad truth is I'd like to be able to buy my next hamburger, so at this time the Scrambler is out of the question.

Im not trying to pile on here but if you were going to purpose build a Cj for hunting the Scrambler wouldve been the best choice. That ship has sailed so lets concentrate on the CJ5 till you get some extra cash.

I was thinking a little how you could get a bit of storage space in your CJ5 . How about some creative thinking in the area guys put rock sliders and nerf bars? Im thinking storage compartments angled up to the body from the frame. You can weld so I bet you could make something nice. I wish I could write what I mean a little better.

 

[IOPort51]

Keeping 4 long guns *secure and/or easily accessible will more than likely take up most of the back. I think I would be thinking about a roof platform and one ladder, Platform large enough to be prone or setting and stable enough to stand.

Kolpin 20073 UTV Gun Mount : Amazon.com : Automotive

this is kind of interesting.

jeep rifle rack - Yahoo Search Results

Here is a bunch of ideas




*secure as in held in place not guarded from theft.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I have been reading this from the start and I guess my ? is you want a Jeep for hunting and you want to carry a bunch of stuff but then you go out and buy a CJ5 that is the smallest of the Jeeps and they don't come with hardtop. I think you should have put a little more thought into it before you went out and bought a CJ5 . I don't mean to be a a55 just my thoughts on this.

 

[Hedgehog]

Why do I feel spanked? I believe I've been called stupid (Pete your all right dude) can't say as I appreciate it. For the sake of full disclosure I am holding back from snapping all over the last post, but I won't, he has a point, a sharp pointy poke me in the eye sort of point, but a point none the less.

The CJ5 will perform for my needs, a little planning is all that is needed and I'm doing that right now. For reference .... My grandfather had a series of Jeeps and when old enough I used every darned one of them for everything from plowing snow to bringing deer home. I had an '80 CJ5 and hunted the hell out of it. That Jeep was great, but when the first child came along I needed to man up and get a more child friendly vehicle. It is true that a CJ8 would have been a better choice, but I'm 55 years old and bought another CJ5 completely knowing the problems. Sure there are some bugs to work out, but that's the fun of all of it. Besides, given the choice between a keep your skirts from being wrinkled square door CJ8 and a CJ6 , I'd go with the jeep with a hump in the door every time.

By-the -way, hard tops are available for the CJ5 , yes even the intermediates. I don't have the $2200 needed to get one.

 

[CABBOTT]

I'm going to have to disagree with the others, I grew up hunting predators and every type of game in Texas. We used what ended up being my first vehicle my 78 CJ5 . It was small profiled, quite, and very capable of going everywhere I needed to hunt. We made a 4 gun rack that went behind the front seats from left to right and a two gun vertical rack between the front seats. We also made it into a night predator hunting rig that worked great with the fold out platform we made. On the side note I really like Pete's idea of the gun mounts under the rockers...wish I would of that of that

 

[cj7inthetwigs]

I dont think anyone here is stupid. Why does someone insist on drag racing a 57 chevy? Really! Common sense tells me the lightest car with the shortest wheelbase will travel faster! Why lift a brand new 3500 series truck and put sky high pipes sticking out of the bed so they can show off the fact their diesel isn't burning 100% . Well, because ,well the reason doesn't matter. What matters is you chose what you could find locally and within what you thought was in your budget I assume. Assuming is dangerous I know, lol. However, you have a CJ5 and have decided to make a go of it. Trudge on Hedge, unless I missed something and I usually do, whats new, but have you considered a covered trailer of some sort. Cheers

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

 

[tarry99]

Over thinking, well .... yes and no ..... I'm a believer in doing it once a d doing it right. I've also been hunting predators for 30 years (except for the last few years), I'm no rookie as to what I need on my predator hunting trips. Lockable vehicles like my Trooper, Bronco, Xtera and a short flirt with a Honda Elememt have served me well for years. When I hunted out of my '80 CJ5 the hunts were different and very similar to yours (even the jeep color). Most of my gear was in the form of a back pack, the rifle, handgun and knife were with me, I slept on the ground cowboy style. Loved hunting like that. Even with the small amount of gear things were occasionally stolen from the Jeep. I had a very cheap set of speakers that didn't last 12 hours.

Today I use several set-ups for different ground and different hunt units. The gear required has increased significantly.

The most important thing as you've mentioned is the need make the vehicle easy to hunt and camp with. Second in importance is keeping the vehicle from being top heavy. ......oh yeah and keeping plenty of toilet paper on hand.

At thid point I'm considering:

Gun Racks up front, a lockable center consol, the back covered in a metal tanho cover similar to a contractors tool box, receiver hitch cargo carrier, possibly a hinged receiver hitch cargo carier in the front. The Jeep already has front recovery points and a 12,000 lb Winch. The rear bumper hasn't been made yet, but it will be hellishly strong with reciever hitch, recovery points, a place for H.L. Jack and the usual tire carrier.

I never locked up anything while hunting.............Why? Will first off when and where I hunt there are no people around! I'm normally 20-30 miles off the pavement. You say your hunting on a stand 200 yards from your Jeep and you have low life's picking through your stuff? What would make someone think there safe enough to pick through your goodies when you should have a rifle with you that can reach out to 600 + yd's very easy?

A Jeep CJ5 bed is only 36" wide Going the long way it's about 41" My Rem 700 HB 22.250 is about 43" long so build a box that's tilted up at an angle that will fit your 4 firearms in and be lockable. Will it make a difference? It might slow them down some but then they will just steal your Jeep and you will be on foot. Pick a better area to hunt ...........heck I've never seen Coyote's hanging out where there was allot of people traffic anyway!
And I'm not picking on you.