Minimum size ATV for hunting only

[Carroll B]

Been thinking about taking the plunge.  At 59 years old I don't like to drag deer up hills any more. Have been riding on the back of my son's 300cc 1996 2-stroke for the last 3 years.  The two farms we hunt have some small shallow streams and moderate hills.  We've had both of us on his bike and a deer on the back and had no problems getting back to the truck.  If it gets stuck on a log we just pick up the front or back of the bike and keep going.  I started looking at bikes in the 300-400cc class with 4x4.  They're huge, and weigh over 600 pounds!  None would fit in the bed of my S-10 truck without having the rear wheels on the tailgate. I would have trouble getting through some of the woods we hunt because of the width of them. Looked at some 250cc class bikes.  They are physically the size of my son's 9 yr old bike and weigh around 400 pounds.  They would fit into the bed of my truck so I wouldn't have to by a trailer to haul it.  The racks on the 250cc bikes seem small to be carrying a deer even though average size deer we shoot is under 100 pounds.  Any other hunters use a bike that is smaller then 300cc?  Do any of you find 2x4 a disadvantage when hunting? Some of the smaller bikes have a 5-speed tranny.  Do you have trouble shifting when wearing your hunting boots?  I will probably not put over 40 miles a year on the bike.  I'm not against buying a used bike if the price is right.

[elmer]

I have a Suzuki Eiger 400. I looked at the 250 because of the size and price. I really believe it would have carried me and a deer just fine, but I don't know about a 200 lb hog.

The decision came down to the 250 not having towing capability. If I have to pull a trailer with a feeder, etc I have to do it with the ATV.

[Graybeard]

My first one was a Honda 250 Recon. Nice bikes and I think it would do all you need of it. Get a winch mounted and if you need a wee bit more it will give it to you. I was using mine here on my small farm to haul a heavily loaded trailer and it just didn't have the ump to get the job done with bigger loads when going up a hill. Mind you I'm talking pulling over 1000 pounds, often a lot more.

I got a 2005 model Yamaha 350 Bruin 4x2 and that sucker handles loads over a ton with no problem. I think the rated tow capacity is about 1100 pounds but I have a 17 cu ft trailer I've pulled heaping full of dirt and gravel plenty of times. It's physically bigger than the Recon by a bunch and likely wouldn't fit into an S10 but will fit into my Toyota Tundra but not with enough room to spare to be comfortable it won't bust out the rear window. Wheels need to be on the tailgate really.

I think you'd be real happy with a Honda Recon.

[NYH1]

I have a 2000 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4. My wife has 2002 Suzuki Ozark 250 2x4. There has been a few times that I know I wouldn't have made it if I was on my wife's ATV, but 95% of the time I wouldn't have any problem on that little Suzuki. And to be honest if I was on the Suzuki I would have planned my route a little different and would have been fine. A small ATV is better then no ATV at all. It's just like a truck. You'll learn what it can and can't do!

[Old Syko]

If small and light is what you're looking for you might want to look into a sport bike and a drag bag.  They won't go where a 4x4 will go but sounds like you probably don't need 4x4 anyway.  Friend of mine bought a Honda 300EX for peanuts 2 years ago and uses what looks like a body bag to haul game in behind the thing.  Don't know where he got the bag or if it was designed for this purpose or not but I do know he's drug the thing a lot of miles.  Most sport bikes will fit in the back of a small pick-up.

[257 roberts]

I recently bought a 2006 Honda Rancher 4x4, and I'm very happy with it.
I'm 51 and bought for the same reason that you are.
There is an older guy on our lease that has a Honda 250 and he goes any where he wants, he just plans he route when it gets wet.
My nephew has a Polaris 500 and its just too big when you get in thick woods.

[Sourdough]

Sounds like you would really like a Honda 300 4X4.  They weigh about 400 lbs but can go just about anywhere.  Far more nimble than my new Kawasaki 750.  Easy to ride, and easy to operate.  I don't know if honda still makes them, but the most reliable machine I have ever had anything to do with.  My wife bought the first one to hit Fairbanks back in 88.  Honda dropped it for a couple of years then brought it back.  Her 88 has many miles on it and all the plastic has been busted, to the point that it is almost all frame and engine now.  But it still hauled out a pair of Caribou in my meat trailer last year.  Turn the key and bump the starter and it is running.  Every three of four years I break down and do a tune up on it.  The rest of the time I just drive it.  I use it daily for running to the neighbors, running to the grocery, or moving stuff around the yard.  Fits well in the bed of my full son's S-10, width wise.  Yea, it sets on the tailgate, but with a cargo strap so what.  He's hauled it lots of places like that.