2009 Nissan Xterra

[BriBri]

I am in the market for a 2009 Nissan Xterra (which I hope to have by the end of this month), and I was wondering if anyone else out there has an Xterra or uses one for their hunting activities. There are several features/specs about the Xterra that I feel would make it an ideal hunting vehicle (e.g., ground clearance, wheel-base, turning radius, bare-bones body-on-frame construction, etc.). I didn't want to get a pickup truck, as I like having the closed area of an SUV. And, wanted to keep my budget somewhat reasonable. I can't wait to pick up my Xterra.

[Boyd Heaton]

Look for a cheap Jeep Cherokee to use for a Hunting rig....And keep the x-terra for mall crawling...JMHO...

[fabsroman]

When you kill 8 deer in a morning, where the heck can you put them in an Xterra? When I go goose hunting I have my entire 8 foot bed of the F-350 completely full, and have been debating the purchase of a closed trailer to use for waterfowling instead of loading everything into the bed. Are you buying a trailer to use with it for hunting?

Exactly what type of hunting are you planning on doing with it? That will make a big difference as far as recommendations are concerned. I can go dove hunting, quail hunting, pheasant hunting, generally any type of upland game hunting, and varmint hunting with my Ford Taurus, which Boyd has actually seen on one occasion about 6 years ago.

[BriBri]

I do not yet do any water-fowling, and I certainly would not anticipate killing 8 deer in one day (the legal limit here in MassHole is two per year, unless you doe tags in addition). I anticipate only having to transport one big-game animal at a time (e.g, 1 deer, 1 bear, etc.). In addition, when I get my moose next fall (2010) (I sound over-confident, don't I?) I will need space for a large cooler/freezer to keep the meat cold.

I definitely want a new vehicle, and I do not see the rationale behind paying $30K-$40K for a pickup truck (I would get a crew cab). I looked at the current Jeep lineup and they seem "soft" to me, with the exception of the Wrangler. Not like the old Jeeps (like the old Wagoneer). However the Wrangler is to small for me (I like a bit of elbow room).

[buckhunter]

I've finally decided to sell my 15 yr old Jeep Gran Cherokee as much as it pains me. I've decided to go a little smaller and have just about settled on a Yota Rav4. 95% of my driving is city and trips with the other 5% hunting. I've already purchased a trailer to haul the hunting stuff I cannot get into the Rav4 plus that will give me a way to haul the Home Depot stuff. Gas isn't going to get cheaper and I figure I should conserve a little.

[toxic111]

Have fun lifting anything into the back of a SUV... I have a Ranger with a cap on it, by myself I can not lift a deer (dressed) into the back of it. This spring we loaded a buddy's bear into the back. Since we could not lift straight up we had to load of the quad trailer (lots of fun I tell ya)

A pick-up with out a cap is the way to go if you plan on lifting anything in, plus easier to clean.

[Swift]

How about a 4 door Tacoma?

[BriBri]

I actually did look at the crew-cab Tacoma (4WD - 6 cyl). It's a nice truck and about the same price as the Xterra. However, it was a little soft in the engine department, and I wanted a little more HP/torque. Also, I want to be able to access the entire cargo area from within the vehicle. I am actually going tomorrow to look at the exact Xterra I want. If I get the deal I want, then I might buy it on the spot. We'll see.

[dovehunter]

No offense but, if you've already made up your mind, why post a question here asking for other opinions???

[fabsroman]

Exactly. Honestly, from the posts I have been reading it sounds like Bri has just gotten into hunting a little while ago.

With that said, everybody has their own perfect vehicle that suits them. For me, it was the F350 crew cab diesel because I will always have a car to drive and the truck can sit until it is really needed. Plus, a lot of my clients are in the construction field, so it leaves a decent impression when their attorney/CPA pulls up in an F350.

As far as hunting goes, I much prefer it over an SUV. I used a Ford Escape for 2 seasons, and that was a sheer mess. However, I do a lot of hunting that requires a lot more than a small SUV. My buddy has an Xterra, and I know it would not work for me.

From what I have read, it seems like you will be going on a lot of guided hunts. In that case, why do you even need an SUV? I could throw a big cooler in the back of my Taurus and put a ton of meat in it. The gun, clothing, and other gear for a guided hunt can fit in the trunk. Heck, I used to throw dead deer in the back of my Ford Fairmont station wagon.

I guess an SUV might make sense if you have to bring along a tree stand, but even then it is probably overkill because that will also fit in the trunk of my Taurus. Of course, 4 wheel drive on the SUV with the added ground clearance would be nice, but if that is needed I take the truck.

An Xterra wouldn't even work for me when I go to sight in my guns because I throw about 7 hard gun cases in the pickup, a bunch of ammo boxes and tackle boxes, a bench, and a Black & Decker workmate for the person that is going to use the sighting scope. Then, I take a couple of guys with me and their firearms and gear.

Ultimately, it all comes down to each individual person.

Did I mention that I also haul construction material and equipment too, and have hauled several loads/trailers of firewood. An Xtrerra definitely would not cut it for me.

[jmarriott]

One of my favorite Hunting rigs was believe it or not a VW jetta. ultra reliable and I bought it for a laptop computer and 500 dollars.

I could get alot of stuff (Two climbing stands and a couple of bows and backpacks) in the trunk since the back seat folded into the car. I had a roof rack for the canoe and a small trailer hitch and small old box trailer is used to used when we camped. Overall it had everything but ground clearance, I have been known to take it offroad a bit.

Not much of a hualer but I hunted out of it a whole lot. Oh the front seat would lay all the way back so I slept many a night in it.