ATV / UTV for hunting

[canoetrpr]

Always scary coming to TBN as I end up spending $ with the advise you guys give me. Usually end up saving some too so it evens out ;-)

A couple years ago I asked for some advice on TBN about guns. Since that time I've been hooked; have 8 now. Next thing you know, I've taken up hunting. Took my first deer this year. 2014 I have a moose hunting trip planned in Northern Ontario.

The area we are hunting is served quite well with trails and old logging roads. A couple of the guys with me have ATVs. My wife hates the idea of me spending any more money on hunting / shooting stuff but I was thinking it might be worth while to have a ATV for this activity. It would help me get further into the woods quicker and help in hauling the meat back if we are successful.

If I had a UTV I could see it being useful as a recreational vehicle around the farm; I've also setup a deer stand on the farm and I've started baiting in that spot. Hate walking out there with the feed and it is overkill to take the tractor. Either a UTV or an ATV would work well to take some feed to it a few times a week.

I'd like to keep the expense minimal as the vehicle is likely to only be used on one hunting trip a year and perhaps to do some feeding by my deer stand around hunting season. I looked into renting but it costs about $900 per week to rent a 2 UP Honda ATV around here. I can get a used Foreman in decent shape for about $3500 2003-2005. Figure I might as well spend that instead of renting. A UTV sure would be nice though as the kids could ride with me to my deer stand when it comes time to feed but I think it would be a lot more. A old Kawasaki Mule is the cheapest I have seen - around $5k.

What do you guys suggest?

Older ATV, UTV, rent or for-go it and ride the truck into the logging roads and walk?

 

[deerseeker001]

I bought a Honda foreman ES 450 new love the machine never had a problem with it.

 

[Tkblacktail]

What do you guys suggest?

Whatever you do to hunt, focus on the animals; see the OHV/ATV as a "means", not as an "end".

If you buy a used ATV, make sure it is "stock"; no offense to the people who like to tinker/modify, but there are very-few substitutions for factory engineering as far as I'm concerned. Over-sized tires, jacked-up suspensions, shaved heads, enlarged ports, "improved" cam-shafts, louder mufflers, should add up to a reduction in resale value IMO.

The best attributes of an OHV/ATV in a remote area is efficiency; capability, safety, and dependability.

Go "Stock"

ATVs and OHVs are well-employed for hunting where legal, when used ethically (fair chase), where the road conditions are unsuitable for wider automobiles, and if you have a hunting buddy who can drop you off at one end (perhaps the top of an area) and pick you up at the other end (perhaps the bottom).

43+ years of hunting; while I can cover more ground when mounted, I actually see less animals than when I'm in a tree or when I'm on foot (behind closed gates).

When I shuttle my hunting buddies, I take every opportunity to shut the engine off and coast (as slow as possible) on the downhills.

 

[Buppies]

Having owned numerous ATVs and one UTV would highly recommend UTV for your intended purpose or usage. The ATV while nimble cannot carry as much and riding with passengers is not recommended unless it is a two up version. I still own an ATV as well as UTV and sometimes wonder why the ATV is still around

 

[beemerphile]

I have a Polaris Ranger 500 FI that I think is ideal. The small engine is not very popular, but is entirely adequate. I imagine that would make the price of a used one more reachable. Mine was the first year FI engine and it has been stone reliable. They are right when they say hardest working / smoothest riding. I often flinch at a bad place coming up only to find the Ranger just glides through it. With the bottom pan, it safely skims over stumps and logs that it lacks ground clearance for. Avoid the taller aftermarket tires/wheels as you will regret them on hilly ground. It is easier to tip than I had hoped WITHOUT jacking up the CG. Plenty of payload and towing power. Lots of aftermarket support if you want to pimp it, but mine has only a top and windshield. Very useful around the farm / homestead.

 

[nybirdman]

You may want to look for a used Yamaha Rhino.I purchased mine new,currently have 3500 miles on it.I have owned a number of atv's(still own one) and find the UTV the perfect all around vehicle.
Mine is a 450cc model that is no longer produced new.Very usefull around the property and can be fitted with a snow-plow if needed.

 

[foggy1111]

New Honda SxS can be had for $9995. + extras (which never end)

 

[Wa11banger]

I have 3 ATV's Two 500 and one 850, the two 500s are 2013 models and the 850 is a 2010. I cant say I never see how I got along without them but.... I can say **** I am now glad I have them! I use them for everything I possibly can as they are ready at moments notice and need very little attention other than regular maintenance and greasing. If I need to move one of the smaller trailers, I just hook up and move them around. You cannot beat how nimble they are at this task and you can sure pack trailers tight with them. I also have a small dump trailer that gets used religiously with them again.. A pain to learn to back up but once you do they cannot be beat for that task. I use them in the summer months to go check the trail cams and put new minerals and feed out also. At over 800 acres on one property I hunt on it is indispensable as the terrain is tough for this old body and the quads are almost a "must have" to enjoy a full day of it. Especially for packing any kills out. We have several people who hunt with UTV's as well, but us ATV'ers usually go help them get their deer out of the trees due to footprint and environment impact. It is not that the UTV is not capable however, they mow over small trees and seemingly climb almost anything I can with no problem. But again that is the problem, we ATV's can go around them instead of having to plow them over. We also are pretty wet here most times and our lower weight does do marginally less damage to the ground. Not a deal breaker by any means but we try to tread lightly in the management of our hunting grounds.

Both have nothing but benefits for the purposes you want them for
A UTV will be much more useful on the farm hands down, especially if you are carrying large loads or loads requiring a bed. But trails will require more width to limit your damage when enjoying them. I also believe they are safer when used for recreational purposes even though anything can be rolled over I have seen several what looked like very violent roll overs and the UTV riders came out shaken and stirred but not damaged.

The ATV's are far more nimble and I can carry more than one on my smaller trailer instead of a single UTV. I have larger trailers but when I am hunting I do not need that. I think they are the ultimate hunting companion. Advice to remain stock should be well received.. there is nothing my very upgraded 850 can do that the stock 500's can't. (Well, for all of my purposes anyway.) And their weight is not that far different from the 850 I think about 40 lbs. If you are going to get an ATV ensure to get one with IRS. You will not regret that on any rocky or rough terrain. The plusses of IRS far outweigh the minuses for sure.

The only real definitive difference between them is the end game of your intended use. However one thing some UTV's have that no ATV has is heating.. There have been a few mornings I wished I could hang out with the old man sitting on the back 40 for a few minutes before climbing in that tree

 

[dfkrug]

If you buy a used ATV, make sure it is "stock"; no offense to the people who
like to tinker/modify, but there are very-few substitutions for factory engineering as far as I'm concerned.
Over-sized tires, jacked-up suspensions, shaved heads, enlarged ports, "improved" cam-shafts, louder mufflers,
should add up to a reduction in resale value IMO.

Those kinds of modifications, except tires, are mostly what you see on sporty quads, not utilities.

The OP wants to go hunting, so probably he will elect a 4x4 utility ATV, or possibly a side-by-side.
In the former case, I recommend and have customized ATVs with rifle racks and scabbards, winches,
and towing receivers. Others install hand-warmers, windscreens, aux fuel tank carriers, QUIETER
mufflers, etc. I once made an enhanced rear rack for a sporty quad so the owner could carry a
100+ pound deer.

For my own use, an ATV is a tool, so I customize it like I customize my tractor. Usually with additional
carrying capacity (chainsaws, shovels, cables, etc.).

 

[DIXIEDOG]

In the lower price range I'd look at Yamaha Rhinos and Polaris Rangers....I think you can find a Rhino cheaper and it will work great for hunting and chores. I can tell you when I go up north with friends 9 times out of 10 if anybody gets stuck it's an atv....if you want to wallow in the mud they can go a lot of places but for all around driving the utvs are where it's at. My Gator rarely ever gets stuck and my friend's RZR is the same way....they have a good advantage on trails because your track width is wider and you don't fall in the ruts created by atvs as much....the atvs drop into the tire ruts and they bottom out. It's also much easier to carry equipment and critters after your hunt on a utv....they also ride much better.