otter wilderness series fish houses

[Brad B]

Does anyone have information on this line of houses. I called otter and the person I talked to didn't seem to have much to say about them and acted like there was something to hide about them. I know a place where I can get a 3 man otter wilderness northern model house(same size as wild 3) with the hy fax and hitch and 2 rod holders, and cover for $426.00 plus tax. it is a good deal but if there will be issues I would look at putting my money into something different. thanks for any info on these houses. If the mods feel this would be better in the equipment forum then please move it there.

[deadeye]

I got the wilderness walleye and from what I can tell its the same exact thing as the team wild minus the bright colors. I have been happy with it. With the hyfax on it the sled hasn't worn a bit. The canvas has held up pretty good. No tears so far. There is one spot in the corner that the stitching was a bit poor but for a 5 minute fix I can't complain. Not bad considering it has lasted 3 years in my hands.

[marine_man]

I'm pretty sure the wilderness series was the year before they named them the Wild Series.

I've got a Wild 3 and have been very happy with it... check out this thread for a little more info:

Otter Wild 3 Pics

Here's a link to Otter's Wild Page: Wild Houses

marine_man

[Brad B]

marine man,

that is what I was thinking. I fiqure for the price I can't go wrong. This shop has 39 northern(wild 3) models left. the house with out the hy fax and hitch and rod holders is $299.99. They also have the walleye(Wild 2) for $249.99 and the perch(wild 1) for $199.99

[dkhntr]

They get heavy and hard to drag fast. I need hyfax on mine! Without it I hope you have something to drag it with.

[Brad B]

I am not worried about dragging it. it will be hauled on a cargo carrier on the back of my blazer. so all I need to do is drive out to where I want to fish and take it off the back and set it up. I am going to get either a atv or snowmobile next year and would use that to pull it during early ice when it is not safe to drive my blazer out.

[gunmunky]

This is my 4th season with a northern house. I added the reflextix insulation to the roof and down the back and now it is very easy to heat with a buddy heater. I have had very good luck with mine. I would say that 426 is a great price.

[Meat-Run]

BradB,

I would consider a different model as I used a Wild on Monday and it's a tank period. The bench and frame for the bench add like 50 extra pounds to the sled and the canvas didn't fit properly to the poles. Now this could just be the exception but I would prefer individual seats per person but sitting on this bench for two hours and your back will be very soar.

Like you mentioned you'll be placing this on the cargo rack of your blazer I would not suggest this fish house for your intended mode of transportation just to heavy. Otter makes great houses but the Wild wasn't there better model. This is only my experience and I have fished out of every portable made for ice fishing the price might be right but comfort and weight should also be taken into account. Just my .02 good luck!!!

mr

[Shack]

BradB,

I would consider a different model as I used a Wild on Monday and it's a tank period. The bench and frame for the bench add like 50 extra pounds to the sled and the canvas didn't fit properly to the poles. Now this could just be the exception but I would prefer individual seats per person but sitting on this bench for two hours and your back will be very soar.

Like you mentioned you'll be placing this on the cargo rack of your blazer I would not suggest this fish house for your intended mode of transportation just to heavy. Otter makes great houses but the Wild wasn't there better model. This is only my experience and I have fished out of every portable made for ice fishing the price might be right but comfort and weight should also be taken into account. Just my .02 good luck!!!

mr

I will admit I have not fished or used every house on the market. I am sure not many have and if you have, I commend you.

I have a Team Wild 3 Man by Otter and I have no idea what Meat Run is talking about. It is a 3 man flip-over style fish house and depending on what a person loads it down with (not an issue the house caused), I have found it pretty easy to move with the standard fishing equipment (5lb propane tank & heater, rod's, tackle box, other odds and ends).

I use a sled to pull mine around, but I load and unload the my Team Wild on my own.

This is not a single man flip over Trap though, this is a three-man style!

It goes together pretty easy also:

[Meat-Run]

Shackbash,

first off I'm glad to see your healthly again second this is only my personal experience, my .02. You posted a great video on assembling the Wild wish I had one for my Fish Trap back in the day. But anyways thanks for sharing and if the price is right and you happy with the ice house by all means buy it you're the one that has to make that decision but like you ask in the origanal post asking about "issues" or "information" I gave it take it or leave it. I love this HSOforum and hope I didn't offend anyone or there products that they own or use....this IMO.

Regards,

mr

[Northlander]

The wilderness houses are no longer made. I think its been 3 years now. Maybe 4.

The Wild houses are nicer than the wilderness were. Check them out at www.otter.com

[Brad B]

meat run,

this package I am looking at does not have the bench seats. it has the 2 original style otter seats not the newer verision of the seats. the cargo carrier is only knee high off the ground so loading and unloading would not be a issue as I have loaded and unloaded my brother in laws canvas craft house that is the same size and weight. The only thing that does make me a little on the nervous side is that Otter will not honor the warranty on these particular packages since the where discontinued and sold to the local shop that has them now for a major discounted price just so otter could get rid of them. but on the bright side of that they did tell me everything between a wilderness series house and a wild series house is interchangable so there would be parts out there if ever needed.

[My_Key]

I recently purchased the Northern series house from that shop at the same price. It came completely assembled. I didn't buy the towbar, but I picked up the hyfax and paid $375. It was nice, as they threw in a cover as well(it wasn't listed as part of the packege in the advertisement). I was told if I had any problem to give them a call.

SOOOO.......I had it out last Sunday and when I extended the bottom rail, one of the pieces of velcro that held the shell to the frame came loose from the canvas. I have yet to call them about it, I've been pretty busy this week. To me it just looks like the stitching pulled loose. I also noticed it doesn't have the "Otter Wilderness Northern" logo on the front like the display model.

I liked everything else about the house, it's a nice upgrade from my Clam 5600. The sled has a ton of room. I got both seats, my auger, a 20lb tank, my heater, all my gear, a 5 gallon pail and a small cooler in it. We even packed some of my fishing partners' gear in it for the drive to make room in the back of the truck.

I'm already planning some mods for it this spring/summer. I'll post an update when I find out what is going to happen with the piece of velcro that came off.

[My_Key]

I just called them ,as I was curious and needed to get it done anyway, and I was told to bring it in. So I'm guess they plan to replace it?? I won't be able to further this report until after the weekend, as I won't get there until Sunday at the earliest.

[Meat-Run]

BradB,

thank you for the clarification and for the price it's a great deal. I'm sorry if I took anything away from your post becuase there are ton of helpful people on here that I take there opinions seriosly. Good luck with your decision and hope our paths cross over a limit of perch and walleye some day.

Regards,

mr

[GotOne]

I have the walleye series and I like it. It's heavy, but have not had any problems with it. Plenty of room.

[Shack]

Meat-Run thanks and no offense was taken. Your opinion is valuable, unless~~~~ No, the Team Wild 3 Man is just that, a three man flip style portable. It does weight and is larger than a 1 man or 2 man, but IMO even with the bench is still pretty light for a 3 man portable! If a person does fill up the sled area with a bunch of gear, the snow is deep, yes I could see where it would be a bear to pull or lift. But IMO it would not be any different than any other 3 man flip-over style portable on the market that is loaded down.

[Meat-Run]

Meat-Run thanks and no offense was taken. Your opinion is valuable, unless~~~~ No, the Team Wild 3 Man is just that, a three man flip style portable. It does weight and is larger than a 1 man or 2 man, but IMO even with the bench is still pretty light for a 3 man portable! If a person does fill up the sled area with a bunch of gear, the snow is deep, yes I could see where it would be a bear to pull or lift. But IMO it would not be any different than any other 3 man flip-over style portable on the market that is loaded down.

Folks like you, harvey, ditro, etc are what make this a great forum (family) just glad that your here to contribute and give another point of view I appriciate it and I'm sure other do too!

MR

[pljllo]

I bought a wilderness walleye the first year they were made.

I put the hylaflax runners on and have no problems. It came with 2 seats and not the

heavy bench seat. I been happy with mine.

[boe757]

I have had the Perch for about 4 seasons, i purchased it because of the light weight and large enclosed area---compared to other singles. the canvas is lighter than the older otters. I also removed the seat and assembly and replaced it with an aluminum chair. I pull it only by hand and use it for early ice and have not added the hyfax runners. It pulls very "light", also added the reflex mod. weight is about 50#, no issues with the tub of tent

[Brad B]

well I finally was able to pick up one of the northern houses. put it together yesterday and am planning on using it for the first time on wednesday. only issue I had with it when I was putting it together was that I over tighted the bolt that holds the frame to the sled. it was my fault so I just drilled out the pressed in bolt and put a new bolt in so now it is just fine.

Shackbash,

Thanks for making those videos about the wild houses. they helped alot. The Hy fax couldn't of gone on faster. I did make one mistake and over tighted one of them when I started it. that made for a little harder time with that particular runner but I finally got it on with a little help.

overall it is a nice house and I can't wait to use it.