4x4 Necessary for mid-May in NW Montana?

[160andup]

Is 4-wheel drive necessary to get to areas to find bears? How can I determine if roads are seasonal or not without driving to them and checking? Never been to this region before but was thinking about driving out with a small car in mid-May. Plan on hiking in several miles to find some untouched land with bears, but don't know if 4x4 is necessary. Any input? Thanks.

 

[mtmuley]

Spring snow is the most dangerous. mtmuley

 

[belly-deep]

There's mud too.

 

[rammac]

Go this link
http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/ohv/ohv_maps.shtml

Scroll down to Montana
Select the National Forest that you intend to hunt in and a new window opens for that forest
Select the Motor Vehicle Use Map link
Select the area you want to hunt in and a pdf file will download. That pdf will show the roads in the area and if they are seasonal

 

[mtmuley]

Every road in Montana is "seasonal". mtmuley

 

[sethkuhl]

Hunt with what you can. Many bears I have shot in the spring a car would work. Others, not so much. You will be limiting yourself but if that is what you have make it work. Wherever the area you go might change but barring a snow storm(winters have been light where I am at) you would be able to get to areas with a car. Best of luck if I can help send me a pm

 

[belly-deep]

every road in montana is "seasonal". Mtmuley

lol

 

[406LIFE]

Every road in Montana is "seasonal". mtmuley

Truth.

 

[Gerald Martin]

Not necessary. Good clearance and good tires to avoid rock punctures are probably a good idea. You might not get into every area but I see "tourists" driving cars in a lot of the places I hunt. Just be willing to exercise some discretion about how far you push it before you get stuck. Most roads are decent gravel with potholes. If you are hunting earlier in the season, residual snow is definitely going to be present and I would reccommend a 4x4.

 

[6mm Remington]

YES and bring tire chains and a shovel also.

 

[Dan O]

In the spring everyday is a new adventure. You just never know what the roads will be like. Also it's common for the USFS to use temporary closures due to soft road beds on all the roads. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[rideold]

Is May spring in Montanna?
~

 

[Ben Long]

I always say the worst winter driving I have ever done is in April in Montana. May is not much better. 4WD is worth its weight in gold. That said, when I was younger and and broker I only had a Toyota Tercel. With a Hi-lift and chains, we had some mighty adventures and I never had to walk out. (Although it was close sometimes.) The downside of 4WD is you can get yourself SERIOUSLY stuck in places you would never even think of going with 2WD. So I would recommend 4WD, but would not let it stop you if you cannot afford it.

 

[mtmuley]

Guys that say 4WD isn't necessary haven't been in Montana long. Needing it once is reason enough. Be prepared for anything. Road conditions vary as to our snowpack. Sometimes there may be some snow between you and where you want to be. Bring chains too. Nobody has ever been over prepared for Spring driving in Montana. mtmuley

 

[Gerald Martin]

Guys that say 4WD isn't necessary haven't been in Montana long. Needing it once is reason enough. Be prepared for anything. Road conditions vary as to our snowpack. Sometimes there may be some snow between you and where you want to be. Bring chains too. Nobody has ever been over prepared for Spring driving in Montana. mtmuley

I look at a lot of great areas right off the paved highways. If the OP is willing to hike and doesn't mind passing on some spots that are too rough to access he'll have plenty of opportunity. Would a 4x4 be the best way to access NFS roads? Absolutely. Can a hunter get into great spots with a car? Sure. Not having four wheel drive is a limitation, not the doom of a good trip.

 

[mtmuley]

Two ways to look at it Gerald. Hope we helped the OP. mtmuley

 

[Gerald Martin]

Two ways to look at it Gerald. Hope we helped the OP. mtmuley

Yep. He should have plenty of info to make his decision. Either way I hope neither of us gets a call to help him get unstuck.

 

[belly-deep]

The downside of 4WD is you can get yourself SERIOUSLY stuck in places you would never even think of going with 2WD.

A buddy of mine uses the same logic but at the next level. He says that one pair of chains is just enough to get you really stuck. You need two.

 

[160andup]

Thanks for all the input. I will try to get an AWD SUV rather than the 2wd car I was planning on driving up! Having never been up that way before, I don't need any more limitations than I already have! Can't wait.

 

[Ben Long]

Well, keep things in perspective. Last year, a black bear broke into a home in rural Kalispell and killed a woman in her kitchen. Short drive off US 2. Soooo. Bears are where you find 'em! Or they find you. Have fun!