Author Topic: Hunting on a ATV (Read 2940 times)

Jim D · « **on:** October 05, 2005, 05:48:24 PM »

I work for a company that sells ATV's and can not for he life of me explain the mentality of ATV operators who strap on a rifle to the front rack of their equipment and then proceed to drive thru the middle of the forest driving over small trees,grass meadows and down the middle of creeks. Just how do these people expect to see any game as they not only are destroying the forest but driving the game out of the area.---Jim

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2005, 06:02:13 PM »

Jim:

I have to agree with you. Plus many riders are giving hunters a bad rap. It is illegal in California to have a round in the chamber when riding your ATV. If caught you are luck to get a ticket. Much less lose your rifle. It's not a good thing to have a person pass you or come along side on an ATV with the muzzle pointing at you. It's worse when you find out there is a round in the chamber.

Those individual create negative impressions of hunters and ATV users.

rickyp · « **Reply #2 on:** October 06, 2005, 02:11:03 PM »

If used right an ATV is a very good pice of hunting equipment.
my buddy has an ATV that we take all the time to the field. It is left on the trailer until one of us gets a deer then we use the ATV to go and get it.

I have seen deer standing in a field and just watch me drive by on it and go back to eating.
I have also seen A-- H---- flying up and down the dirt roads in and out of the woods sending the deer running.

It is always stupid to strap any firearm to an ATV with out protection it is too easy to damage it.

Lawdog · « **Reply #3 on:** October 06, 2005, 02:58:16 PM »

I use my ATV and utility vehicles just like I do a Jeep, SUV or 4x4 pick-up. Transportation to and from. My disabled cousin uses his to get to his special ground blinds(modified so he can drive his ATV right inside). He has a special permit from DFG(any disabled person can get one) that allows him to shoot from a vehicle(includes ATVÂ’s, etc.) but by law the engine must be turned off and the vehicle can not be moving. Lawdog

PEPAW · « **Reply #4 on:** October 07, 2005, 01:57:00 AM »

It is transportation. Not necessary, but convienent when a deer is down. I use mine to drag out big hogs that I can't load myself.

As far as strapping my rifle to the handlebars, I don't. I sling it across my chest (unloaded).

The deer will sometimes remain bedded as I drive by. Much like they treat a tractor.

pepaw

markc · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2005, 03:30:54 AM »

I use a Kawasaki Mule to get back in the woods to remove game, and or just reach the places way back, and for checking my hog traps. For hogs I have even hunted from high swivel seats that I mount in the bed, but I don't just go driving the woods destroying land that belongs to someone else.

Sat evening, I was in my bow stand, I walked in, about 3/4 of a mile, no atv. Just as prime time reached the woods, the sun was setting and I was hearing leaves rustling, a loud snap of something being stepped on. Just below my stand was a fresh scrape. I was locked on and ready to fire. Then what do I hear, loud??? My hunting partners Yamaha Rhino coming down the dirt road and shutting down not 60 yds from where I enter the woods to reach my bow stand. To say that I was ticked off is an understatement.

Wild life that is not accustomed to atv's or pickup trucks will at times stay put as you pass by. But stop and they will scatter. ATV's have their place in hunting, but I have seen them time and again ruin a hunters chance at success when they are driven to close to, stopped nearby or just driven at the wrong time.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2005, 07:31:24 AM »

A real down side to unrestrict ATV and other off road vehicle use is that enviromentalist and others have been successful in the court system in shuting down public lands to such use. We will be seeing more of this. Even old logging tracks are being shut down because of these court action.

These actions will have a negative impact on recreationist and hunter camps in non-campgrounds. In the area I grew up in a person could drive off a logging road a and sit up a campsite. Under some of the new rules that are being forced on the Agency's by the courts this practice is in danger. You may have to leave your vehicle on the roadway and carry your gear to the campsite 300 feet back into the trees. Of course there is no wide spot along the road to park your vehicle. (This is far different then somebody driving around campground barriers to park in a campsite)

This may be come a mute issue with the price of gas. Last Friday I went hunting miles back from the nearest town. Going in I did not see one hunters vehicle. A few days before that I did see one hunter on the road system when I was out testing my OnStar system. When I was returning after dark Friday night I did encounter three vehicles going into the back country. It is a big area and from a historic stand point that number is very insignificant.

I have had a lot of fun on ATV's but I show that land respect. I believe it is a good day when the courts require a violator to pay thousands of dollars to repair a meadow damaged by a vehicle.

PEPAW · « **Reply #7 on:** October 11, 2005, 06:09:40 AM »

For sure persons that do not own the land they ride on have no idea of the erosion that indiscriminate driving can do. Those knobby tires chew the topsoil and the next rains cause much erosion.
I have a constant attitude towards my nephews and his buds because they race up and down my roads for hours. Of course, they could be doing something worse as teenagers, so I try to bite my tongue.

pepaw

NYH1 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 11, 2005, 07:21:32 AM »

ATV's are like anything else, if used properly and safely their great and extremely fun and helpful. Its when people ride them where ever they want with no regards to other peoples property that the trouble begins. My wife, kids and I have four of them. We ride where we're suppose to ride and its great. I use my 2000 Yamaha Big Bear 4x4 for hunting and getting firewood. If I didn't have my Big Bear I would never be able to get my firewood where I get it! I don't hunt from my ATV I use it to get in and out of the woods are retrieve deer! If you've ever used an ATV to retrieve deer, you'll never drag another one! As far as the noise an ATV makes, its really a non-issue. If I ride my ATV into the woods nice and easy the deer just kind of look at you and maybe walk away. After they see you a few times, they don't really care to much about it!

Ramrod · « **Reply #9 on:** October 11, 2005, 08:10:35 PM »

Quote from: Jim D

I work for a company that sells ATV's and can not for he life of me explain the mentality of ATV operators who strap on a rifle to the front rack of their equipment and then proceed to drive thru the middle of the forest driving over small trees,grass meadows and down the middle of creeks. Just how do these people expect to see any game as they not only are destroying the forest but driving the game out of the area.---Jim

Ever hit a deer with your car or truck? Fact is they have no fear of motor vehicles. Nobody is driving them out of the area. They just stand there looking at me on both my ATV and my tractor. The place next to me is posted, and the non-resident (City dwelling) owner has a fit and calls the sheriff any time he comes up during the winter and sees snowmobile tracks anywhere. I asked him what's the big deal, they don't hurt nothing, and he said " they scare away all the deer"!!! :roll:

Lawdog · « **Reply #10 on:** October 12, 2005, 10:33:53 AM »

Ramrod,

Quote

Ever hit a deer with your car or truck?

[/b]

SURE HAVE, five years ago in 2000. You would be surprised at the amount of damage a 250 doe can do when hit by a 1998 Dodge 2500 4x4 at 55 mph. Grille guards, heavy after market front bumper equipped with a Warn Winch and I still had to have a tow truck take my Dodge home. Wonder what the ballistic co-efficiency is of a 1998 Dodge 2500 4x4 is? Yeah my pick-up killed the doe BUT she killed my pick-up. :evil: Lawdog

DirtyHarry · « **Reply #11 on:** October 12, 2005, 05:40:53 PM »

WOW that sure must have been some kind of doe Lawdog.. :eek:
I once hit about an 800Lb steer in a cavalier at 58 mph(according to the patrolmens calculations) and I was able to drive it the rest of the way home which was about 3/4 of a mile.

Lawdog · « **Reply #12 on:** October 13, 2005, 10:19:15 AM »

Quote from: DirtyHarry

WOW that sure must have been some kind of doe Lawdog.. :eek:
I once hit about an 800Lb steer in a cavalier at 58 mph(according to the patrolmens calculations) and I was able to drive it the rest of the way home which was about 3/4 of a mile.

That doe jumped off the hillside on a cut. Never had the chance to even hit the brakes. The biggest problem was not body damage, which was bad enough, but when the truck rolled over the top of her she tore out brake and coolant lines on top of other underneath damage(wiring, etc.). Running off the side of the road, hitting the embankment didn't help. Unable to steer due to broken tie rod. I know this, my insurance agent couldn't believe the amount of damage that was done. Lawdog

Dogshooter · « **Reply #13 on:** September 06, 2006, 12:43:19 PM »

I use an ATV for hunting. I place a loaded rifle in the rack mounted on the front of my ATV. In my area, it is legal. I drive only on trails or roads where ATV use is legal. I follow all hunting regulations. I operate my ATV at a reasonable speed and have not, in the last 30 years, damaged a firearm thusly. If the area you live or hunt in has made this sort of thing illegal, it is probably because someone in your area acted like an idiot and damaged the environment. I have no doubt that regulations here will eventually tighten because of a small percentage of the people using ATV's will do enough stupid things that the resultant complaints will necessitate restricting our rights even further. I urge EVERYONE to operate ATV's responsibly and immediately report ANYONE who breaks the law or intentionally damages the environment. And PLEASE...... As hunters, we need to stick together and protect the few rights we have and not complain about those whol live in areas that still allow us to exercise those rights.

nyhunter863 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 12, 2006, 05:34:56 AM »

I am not fond of ATV's in the least It has never made much sense to me observing hunters waste a considerable amount of time unloading their ATV's from their trucks to then ride to their stands which are no more than a few hundred yards from the road! If one wants joy rides on an ATV, why do it during hunting season? You can do this at other times of the year. I would also bet that the vast majority of deer (whitetails mainly) killed by hunters are within a half mile from a road. Dragging a deer for such a distance doesn't require the use of an ATV in my opinion.

Also, the issue on scaring deer. I would agree that in many cases the deer will not flee from an ATV, just like they don't always flee from vehicles or even hunters on foot. The difference comes in when a hunter on an ATV sees a nice deer on his way through the woods. Do you think most will just let it go, OR take a shot FROM the ATV eventhough this is illegal in most states?? I would bet a good percentage of hunters out there would not debate the issue for even a second. He would be loading the rifle (if it isn't already) before the ATV even comes to a full stop! This is where the problem lies in my opinion. Whether deer run or not is of little importance.

Lastly, from what I have observed over the years, I would say that a hunters health would be served better if they chose to walk a bit instead of ride an ATV. I would guess that the average weight of hunters is considerably higher than the already overweight nation we live in. Using ATV's will surely have a negative effect on this also.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 12, 2006, 03:42:37 PM »

Quite often it is the only practical way to hunt in certain areas of alaska. I commonly ride my 4 wheeler 10-20 miles off the road system to hunt in different areas. I simply don't have time to walk in the 15-20 miles let alone carry the gear nessessary for a camp. There definately is places were they come in handy. I don't just drive around waiting to see a moose or bear though, I normally drive to an area I want to hunt and then spot and stalk or bait hunt. Maybe in areas with roads crisscrossing every square mile you don't need one but when there are only 9 highways in the whole state of alaska and alaska is much bigger than any other state you could understand where transpertation is a BIG issue.

Lives2hunt · « **Reply #16 on:** October 26, 2006, 02:32:19 AM »

NY hunter, I think it all comes down to ETHICs. There are some who call themselves hunters but are just shooters. The hunt, stalk & pursuit means nothing to them, only taking the game. Some will do whatever it takes whether legal or whether its right or wrong makes no difference to them. They are not hunters in my opinion.

I don't own an ATV YET but I intend to & here is why. My truck F150 has a 460 engine and it can't go down some of the WMA "roads" without getting stuck, scratched up or damaged from the ruts & big rocks imbedded in the road. I don't mind walking 1/2 a mile from the road but to get to some of those locations I would have to walk further & traverse some nasty country. In my younger, stronger days-no problem. Not so anymore but I refuse to stop hunting. TRANSPORTATION is what the ATV is designed for in the hunting season but only where legal and within compliance of the law & whats right.

CallaoJoe · « **Reply #17 on:** October 26, 2006, 04:05:40 AM »

I've got some guy that rides around on the gravel roads near my place road hunting from his ATV. Sonner or later he's gonna get nailed by the Conservation Dept, but he has not as of yet. He'll ride around on his ATV, with beer in the game pouch of his jacket, and his rifle strapped to the front rack.

Here in MO, road hunting is almost an epidemic... IMHO... Fines for violaters are so light that they just laugh it off for the most part. It's really unerving when you have a guy glassin yer place from a truck, and you no darn well that the no tresspassin signs will be ignored if he see's a deer....

I've talked to our local agent several times, and he's aware of the perpitrators, but has yet to nail them....

Now, ATV's are a very usefull tool, and I use mine quite a bit. But just like everything else, there's always that small group of inconsiderate jerks that give us all a bad name. A deer tag is not a license to tresspass....

Scott T · « **Reply #18 on:** October 28, 2006, 07:14:09 AM »

I have been a bit anti-ATV for hunting until this year. Problem is that our place is 3200 acres and you have to have some sort of vehicle to get around with. The ATV makes sense because I am tearing my pickup (daily transportation) up on the rugged hills.

I won't hunt off of it, but I will use it to get out there and back.

bobg · « **Reply #19 on:** October 28, 2006, 10:09:02 AM »

I use my atv to get me to my stand. I have rods and pins in one leg and a fake hip in the other. With out the 4 wheeler i don't think i could hunt deer. Do i get the impression from some that if i need the wheeler i should stop deer hunting? I don't think this will happen. I am usually on my own property . When i hunt other peoples property i don't ruin that either.
bobg

.

992 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 28, 2006, 10:14:44 AM »

i NEED A TAILGUNNER,for my Honda foreman!!!

I can take care of everthing in front of me,its the rear and both sides I have trouble with.
I thought about getting one of those rigs that take 2 AK47s and use a hand crank to fire them,like a gatlin gun.Doe anybody have any of those 100 round drums for sale ? i need at least 4 or 5.
I need the tailgunner to sit back to back with me, so that he can fire to the rear while I take care of the front.

PS, It is ajust a joke,right?

992

I just had an idea about trailer with a swivel mount in it for the gatlin gun!!

SURVEYOR · « **Reply #21 on:** October 28, 2006, 11:11:39 AM »

An ATV is another tool not to be abused in hunting. What choices do we have. Mule, horse, on foot, truck, ATV. Hunting can be abused on any listed. I've always wanted a mule. I owned a horse I could shoot off of, but never did. God knows I've just about walked this country huinting and surveying. Trucks are good to travel long distances, but get expensive to upkeep riding in the mud and woods. Much easier to shoot out of thou. It sure does make an ATV a very good choice to ride to the stand and back. To carry food plot supplies and stand repair material to the field. To haul game back to the camp. The better yet to carry a hurt hunting buddy to safty.

One of the best hunting tools I've ever bought.

SURVEYOR

DirtyDan · « **Reply #22 on:** December 08, 2006, 06:49:59 AM »

My lease is but a mere 5000 acres and it's 2 miles in to my stand. I took my truck (Dodge 3500 4x4) in to one of my stands on opening weekend. After 2 hrs of rain I almost didn't make it out. You have to have a 4 wheeler or UTV. I drug my deer

[/img] out to the road with my 4 wheeler and waited on my BIL to come in with his pickup and we loaded it. Some people are fools no matter what they are doing, but there are worse things to worry about than tree huggers & slob hunters. ATVs don't scare deer any more than cars, tractors, etc.

TexasHorn · « **Reply #23 on:** December 08, 2006, 04:15:58 PM »

My kawasaki Mule is one of the best purchases I have made. I do not hunt out of my mule nor do I drive up to my blinds. Hauling, rescueing, preseason set up is where it best comes to use in the sport of hunting. The mule by all means is not fast, so ripping around the county side is not an option for this machine. From the bench seat to the bed in the back....it's a real work horse. It can go places a truck can not. I highly recommend a Mule if your are deciding on which ATV to go with.

TexasHorn

JerryNH · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2007, 01:05:46 AM »

I think it's like anything else....if used properly it's not a problem but if abused, it is a problem. It boils down to...it takes all kinds. It doesn't matter what we're doing, you'll always have a percentage of idiots who'll ruin it for others. As far as scaring the deer, i think it boils down to what they're used to seeing it that area. They get used to seeing tractors and vehicles around the farms and cars/trucks around roads but if the trail you're using the ATV on isn't used much, I think the deer will slowly meander out of the area ahead of you. You'll be pushing them elsewhere. Of course if you drive in and park it a way from your stand real early and let the woods quiet down, the deer will work their way back into the area.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #25 on:** January 30, 2007, 07:27:00 AM »

I posted on this subject over a yearago, I must update my thoughts based on another years experience.

This last hunting season I was head for town after dark on a narrow logging road. When I came around a corner at a low speed there was a camouflaged ATV with its rider scrambling up a steep bank to get out of the way.

The 4-wheel was painted a dark camouflaged color, and the operator was wearing a dark camouflage. He held the ATV on a steep bank while I passed. It was clear that the ATV had no lights.

A number of thoughts crossed my mind:

1.   I was glad that I did not hit the guy.

2.   Was the guy a poacher?

3.   Happy that I carry a good first aid kit in my vehicle.

4.   Why the hell he did not have lights showing?

5.   Glad I did not have a big dent in my vehicle?

6.   Was the guy a poacher?

7.   Wished I had a 4-wheeler to make things easier on my knees.

8. Make sure I take pictures if involved in an accident. His clothing and the color of his camo 4-wheeler will make my case in court. I am sure he would sue somebody if hit.

I consider a 4-wheeler way of getting to locations I do not want to scrape the paint off my pickup. It is apparent to me that operators of 4-wheels see very little of what is happening around them. I was wearing an Orange sweatshirt and a guy came up on my location in a 4-wheeler. After a few minutes I spoke to him, taking him by surprise. He was unaware of my presence until I spoke. So he may put the miles on but he missing seeing the trees for the woods.

One of my passed favorite hunting spots has been invaded by hunters on 4-wheels. Years back I had it to myself because nobody wanted to carry a deer out on a packframe. Now they use a 4-wheel. I am sure they consider themselves mountain men. Wished I had one.

Dogshooter · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2007, 02:35:17 PM »

Excuse me but you DID say you were riding one, didn't you. Seems like you are making an awful lot of judgements on others who do the same. You don't like others who ride their 4 wheelers to the same hunting spots you rode to. You assume someone is a poacher because he rides without lights?

? Sounds like the guy who got out of your way was more attuned to his surroundings than you were. If someone is riding in a "No ORV" area, call it in and report him. If it is legal to ride there, leave him alone. I'm sure you can get far enough off the road to get away from ATV's. If we complain enough about each other exercising our rights, we are bound to loose even more of them.

MontanaVet · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2007, 08:08:00 AM »

There are not many places where you can take an ATV off road here in Montana. What I have found is useful is drive the legal roads on public land until I see a place with good sign. I then park and hunt on foot. It is way better than possibly slipping off a cliff with my pickup truck and you can see things allot better from an ATV.

To say an ATV has no place in hunting is to say a pickup truck has no place in hunting. I do plan on purchasing some mules for the back country. They sell them for cheap come tax time around here. MV out!

dabigmoose · « **Reply #28 on:** March 04, 2007, 12:27:56 AM »

well
They sure have there place in Alaska and are beneficial to a lot ofvillages where ya cant get a normal vehicle.
Hunting with one -Most people use them for transportation to and from areas they are going to hunt.
They have helped many a old hunter be able to retrieve there animals and hopefully will continue to do so.
There are always going to be those that bitch about others that can get to a area that they thought was only acessable by them
doesnt matter airplane ,horse or what they use , some ones always gonna complain about the othert guys and how the hell they got there. If ya dont want no one there get a lease in some state that has leases.
Atvs have there place just like any other piece of equipment.
Oh ya hello mark how are ya

Dabigmoose