You’ve got your hunter safety certificate and your deer tag. Your rifle or bow is dialed and waiting by the door. But is your truck capable of making the trip?
The last day I spent in the deer woods, I felt good about my prospects. I knew the land, the blind was placed masterfully by the landowner, and I had a rock-solid zero on my scope. I packed warm clothes and plenty of water. But after checking the weather the night before, I was a little concerned about the road conditions I’d face in the morning.
Hunting gear doesn’t just include the things we take into the woods. It includes the workout equipment that keeps us in shape, the apps that help us identify property boundaries, and the vehicles that get us there and back.
Successful Hunts Are Born in the Off-Season
Deer season is just around the corner but we haven’t exactly been sitting on the couch all year.
You’ve probably had to find suitable public or private land, tend feed plots, scout for signs of animal activity (and perhaps other hunters), set trail cameras, and stay in shape. It’s a significant investment of your time and money.
All the while, our vehicles bear the brunt of the off-season strain in the form of mileage and wear. Last season, I drove 71 miles across southern Wisconsin to and from my deer hunting spot. Sometimes the pavement was warm and dry, other days it was slick with heavy rain. During the antlerless season and holiday hunt, snow and ice covered my route.
Hunters already face enough obstacles; we don’t need to add questionable tires to the list.
Get Your Truck Ready for Opening Day
Most of us don’t have the luxury of walking from the front door to the perfect blind or tree stand. The last thing we need on opening morning is a fight with our truck because it’s not up to the task of getting us there and back.
Is the fuel topped off? Do the headlights work well enough to navigate back roads and logging trails? Are your tires ready to chew up miles of asphalt, gravel, mud, and snow? If you’ve wrapped your wheels with the General Tire Grabber H/T, the answer to the last question is yes.
The Grabber H/T comes with a 70,000-mile/72-month warranty and it’s got clever disappearing text on the tread that lets you know when it’s time for a new set. Wear markers on the outer portion of the tread will even tell you if you need an alignment. Decreased rolling resistance means you’ll burn less fuel every mile along the way.
If we can save some money on gas and replace my tires less often, maybe we’ll have more money left over for the latest high-dollar hunting ammo or a new meat grinder.
Don’t let the Grabber H/T’s good highway manners fool you; this tire has what it takes to navigate the road less traveled, too. It’s earned best-in-class wet braking and best-in-class snow traction. General Tire formulated the rubber compound to stay soft and grippy even when temperatures drop below freezing.
That might not be a top concern for southern hunters, but anyone who has to keep a propane heater in the blind to stop their fingers from going numb will appreciate the cold-weather traction.
Compared to the Grabber HTS, the Grabber H/T offers up to 4% better wet braking, 4% less rolling resistance, and 15% better tread life.
There are plenty of size options, too. I found tires ranging from the tiny 255/70 R 15 all the way up to 285/45 R 22. For 2024, General Tire added 12 new sizes so there’s plenty to choose from, whether you want a factory size or a little extra meat on the wheel.
And, of course, you can choose to mount your tires with white lettering in or out.
If you buy the right tires, you might not have a reason to think about them for several years. If you pick the wrong tires, you’ll be kicking yourself early and often. Thank goodness we did the homework for you.
Now, go find a thermos and some hand warmers. Opening day is almost here.
Sponsored by