How Hunting ATVs Work

Hunters like ATVs because they make hunting easier. Hunting ATVs have high ground clearance, front and/or back racks and a scabbard (the protective holder f­or rifles and shotguns). Hunters typically carry an array of gear, and many models offer extra storage.

ATVs open up remote areas that hunters wouldn't be able to reach on their own or in another vehicle. Much smaller than pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and 4x4s, ATVs can access trails that large vehicles can't touch. They leave the others in the dust or stuck in a ditch somewhere.

ATVs are like army mules -- they carry heavy-duty gear so soldiers don't have to. If you're a hunter, think about the equipment you use on a hunt. Your list probably includes a weapon, ammunition, food and water, a heater or perhaps even equipment to make a blind. One hunter can transport a 10.5-foot (3.2 meter) platform (complete with a shooting house on top of it and a swivel seat) to his hunting site via his ATV. Imagine transporting all of that gear on foot.

But there's an even bigger advantage to using an ATV. ATVs allow successful hunters to take their kill with them. Without the extra load capacity of an ATV, hunters sometimes would be forced to leave a large kill behind temporarily, or even cut it into sections to get it back to camp. Coyotes or other scavengers are an ever-present threat to the remaining carcass. With an ATV, hunters need little more than a rope to drag their trophy back to their truck or camp.

If you're seriously considering buying an ATV, you might want to know more about the accessories available. Take out your notepad and move onto the next section to learn more.

Walk through­ any sporting goods store and you'll realize that hunters are very serious about their gear. Not too many other people would want to buy deer urine. And there are some amazing accessories available for hunting ATVs. Let's look at some of the options:

To find out what some ATV users are doing to make their rides quieter, read the next section.

One potential drawback of using ATVs while hunting is that their gas engine noise and exhaust is likely to spook any nearby game. It may also explain the appeal of batte­ry-powered ATVs, which offer hunters the option to travel in relative quiet.

Several electric ATV models on the market, called E-ATVs, offer an alternative to the gas-powered versions. But they're generally slower and have smaller ranges than gas ATVs. The ATEV28 model from manufacturer EVS, for example, is limited to a top speed of 35 mph (57 kilometers per hour) and a maximum range of 25 miles (41 km) [source: Blanco]. (That maximum range is based upon flat surface use -- expect it to be lower on hilly, off-road terrain.)

Because of their lower speed and range capabilities, smaller E-ATVs have been marketed to younger users. For example, X-Treme's XA-750 Electric ATV runs on three heavy-duty 12 volt, 12 amp batteries. It can go up to 20 mph (33 kmph), weighs 150 pounds (60 kilograms), and carries a maximum load of 300 pounds (120 kg) [source: X-treme Scooters].

Batteries are also powering the side-by-side or off-road utility vehicle (UTV) market. Some ATV models can seat two people, but the riders sit astride the bike, motorcycle-style [source: Bad Boy Buggies].

Read on to learn some of the techniques hunters use for handling their ATVs, whether gas-powered or electric.

To pro­perly control and steer an ATV, the driver must learn to shift his or her weight and position on the seat. With an extra load in the front, whether a deer or an elk, the ATV's handling characteristics will change considerably [source: Klancher].

So, hunters need to check the load capacity of their ATVs and consult the owner's manual to determine the best location for the game. The additional load will change the vehicle's center of gravity, decrease stability and increase the risk of a possible rollover [source: Murphy and Harshman].

Hunters should never ride with a loaded firearm. Bows should not be strung, either. All weapons should be safely stowed in a case, separate from the ammunition.

When retrieving game, you should get as close as possible to a road or ATV-approved trail, then hike the rest of the way on foot. Stay on designated roads and trails. As enticing as it may be, don't take the shortest route possible by going cross-country on your ATV. It could anger property owners, lead to more regulation that restricts ATV use or possibly cause physical injury or damage to the ATV [source: Tread Lightly].

Now that you've learned about hunting ATVs, you might have more questions. Check out a dealer near you or on the Internet. Just remember to be safe. If the state in which you are hunting requires hunter orange, wear it. Even if your ATV is decked out in camouflage, it is important for you to be seen by other hunters.

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