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Which transporter to bring?


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I think it may be a little early to know but I will ask anyway. I'm headed to Rainy in 10 days and need to know which vehicle to prep this weekend. Is the UTV or the sled the best machine for ice travel? I would much prefer to use the Polaris Ranger but the long track Arctic Cat is option #2. We are leaving Woody's Saturday morning the 12th and headed cross country into Canadian waters for crappies.

It is 40 degrees on The Range and the snow is settling fast but is the snowpack in border country doing the same thing? We had a crust on the local lakes this weekend that probably would hold up the Ranger but I don’t know about later in the day when it warms up. I also see there may be some weather moving in next week that could change everything. Any help from the locals would be appreciated.

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I would bring the snowmobile. You could get around with the Ranger quite well, but you will want that sled when you make the haul into Canada.

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The Ranger has a few benefits for this trip. I am hoping for nice weather and no need for a portable shelter. I can get all the gear for all of us in the box of the Ranger. I can also get 3 people out in one rig with the Ranger since it has a bench seat. I have a hard windsheild and cab so it is very comfortable for traveling. If I use the sled, I need to also bring the Otter house to transport all the gear to the lake. I drive a Yukon XL so the Otter doesn't fit in the truck.

The sled is faster and will not bog down in deeper snow but I only have a 2 place trailer so that is another curveball with the snowmobile.

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magnum mike,

I am headed up on March 18th staying at "Woody's". We are also looking for crappies on the Canadian and US side.

Never fished Rainy Lake before so My buddy and I are at the mercy of anyone who points us in any direction.

With fresh intelligence from someone who just fished up there it would be a plus if you found any you could throw a couple of bread crumbs our way. Not looking for your "A" spot..... just a place to start drilling holes.

Mward4400 AT AOL dot com

Thanks,

Mark

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Ice / snow conditions have changed dramatically on the Range in the last few days. Does anyone have a current opinion on the best mode of transport for this weekend sled or UTV?

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Hi Mike- Just give me a call the day before. We'll get you pointed in the right direction.

Woody

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