I've always owned cars, and I usually hunt with my father's pick-up, but a couple times I've had to bring them home in my car. I've actually done both - strap it on top, and put in in the trunk. I probably prefer strapping it to the top. I hate trying to clean the trunk out (no matter how much you try, some blood will get out), and I also hate the idea of ticks being in my car. Where I hunt in upstate NY I see lots of deer strapped to the roofs of cars by the way.