Hunting With an ATV

ATVs can provide hours of fun out on the trails but there are several other activities you can participate in as well. There are certain scenarios where you wish you had your quad handy, like hunting. ATVs are great for reaching hunting grounds quickly and provide plenty of cargo space for carrying around game before you get back to your vehicle.

At Specialty Recreation and Marine, we have some great tips on how to successfully hunt using an ATV. We’ve outlined some important information below to get you started. Visit us today in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho near Spokane, Washington to check out our gear and inventory.

Choose the Right ATV

You should start by making sure that your ATV is ready for hunting. Think about where you plan to do most of your hunting. Keep in mind that ATVs are built to handle all types of terrain, so you should think about what kind of terrain you’ll be on while you’re hunting. If you plan to use your ATV primarily for hunting, then you should consider a model that can cover a wide variety of terrain. These types of ATVs tend to come with a bit more power so you can get up and down slopes and through muddy or difficult areas with ease. You’ll also need to ensure your ATV has towing capabilities and can accommodate any extra passengers you plan to bring along.

If you’d like, you can look at aftermarket parts that’ll enhance the performance of your ATV. For example, maybe you want a gun scabbard so you can keep your hands free while you ride. You can also add lights to your ATV so that riding in the early morning or dusk hours easier and safer. Investing in a winch will help you pull your game out of a deep ditch or rescue a fellow ATV rider if they get stuck.

Bring Proper Gear

For a successful ATV hunting experience, you’ll need to be sure you have the proper gear, which starts with safety. You should have a well-fitting helmet and protective clothing. A helmet that interferes with your sight is better than a head injury, so don’t ditch the helmet just because you’ll be hunting. If your helmet doesn’t have a face mask then you should wear goggles to protect your eyes from the elements and debris that might be kicked up while you’re riding.

In addition to dressing for safety, you’ll also want to consider the weather. You can often find camouflage gear that’ll serve you well for hunting while simultaneously keeping you warm and protect you from trail dust, dirt, and debris. It’s always smart to wear a bright orange safety vest so you’ll be visible to other hunters in the area.

Obey Laws

A very important aspect of this activity is to ensure you’re obeying any local hunting laws and ATV rules at all times. Some areas won’t be accessible by ATV so you’ll have to park far away and hide your ATV with camouflage cover so that it doesn’t scare wildlife and cause them to walk to the area where you’re setting up your blind. Land can be inaccessible for a number of reasons including ecological protections to mining and logging enterprises that don’t permit hunting. The repercussions for breaking these laws can be serious so it’s vital that you educate yourself in advance on what’s permitted and what is not.

Prior to heading out, check a map or contact the local BLM to confirm that you’re on legal hunting grounds. Most jurisdictions don’t allow you to ride your ATV with a loaded weapon so you’ll need to empty your gun before traveling with it. You should only hunt during the appropriate season and always be sure to carry identification, tags, and permits with you.

If you’re ready to start browsing your ATV options, stop by Specialty Recreation and Marine in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho near Spokane, Washington.