I used my Dodge Neon this year.
Put the deer in the back seat, it looked like he was taking a nap.

Damn, reading this made me think of that Monolog that Jeff Foxworthy does: " You may be a ... .... if "

Just got tired of getting 13.7 mpg interstate with my dodge 1500 5.9' so I bought an '03 dodge 3500 6 speed, 5.9 CTD, it get 20-22 mpg running 60, 18 just around town, and power out the wahzoo
RR

The exterra is built on a frontier frame, my '04 frontier got 14 mpg with a set of off road 31x1050's on it
RR

I have modded my escape to make it a little more off road usable.. while it's not a mudder it gets the job done... I added a class 3 hitch for may deer rack , put a 2" leveling kit on it a 245/70/19 A/T tires, also put 2" wheel spacers on it for a little wider stance[mostly for looks]..A bull bar with 130 watt Dick cepek off road light realy lite up the trails It does what I need it do and does it just fine.. I can get 28mpg hwy and avg 23mpg around town..

I used an Escape for several years to hunt. 6 cyl 4X4. Got me where I wanted to go but not much into mud. Got rid of it because I needed more towing capacity for a new camper. 18 mpg only.

I use 62 Chevy Impala, drove it everywhere, dirt road, no road, mud, snow, stream crossings,and into trees.

how about a kia sportage for elk hunting ? seems to work for me

I really liked my buddies Subaru Forester diesel. I don't known if they sell the diesel in U.S. The only real down side is it is a bit low to the ground and the crown on many dirt roads can give you grief.

I've about decided to buy me a Suzuki Jimny diesel. Another one they don't sell in the U.S. Kind of like a Suzuki Sidekick. A little half ton trailer and I'm set.

Just bought the wife a mini van and I'm going to junk the Jeep (96 Cherokee). I just can't afford it anymore.

I won't lie I have been using my wife's 2005 toyota corolla the past few months and my father has been using his old 98 honda accord beater vehicle. As long as we stick to roads and don't need off roadin they work just fine. Other then that I will use my truck but since the roads are good see no issue just taking the spouses car.