Author Topic: Minimum size ATV for hunting only (Read 5628 times)

Carroll B · « **on:** December 29, 2005, 04:17:45 AM »

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.

ol mike · « **Reply #1 on:** April 22, 2006, 12:59:26 PM »

CarrollB,

You've asked a question that i've pondered myself.
Although i asked the same question over at huntmasters and got some replies.

I like the honda ex 250 4x2 it's a sport model ,being that i predator hunter hauling out big heavy loads isn't a concern of mine.The fourtrax-recon ride way too rough for me,the sport suspension can be adjusted to smooth out the ride.
I figure i can put some tank bags and rig up a small rack big enough for a backpack and rifle and i'm set.
I'll also try to quiet it down.
So i'd say you'd be fine w/a smaller unit.
Best of luck Mike

Paladin · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2006, 02:32:29 PM »

40 miles a year? you are asking for trouble, gas goes bad in about four or five weeks and batterys arn't much better if ya get one ya need to run it often, anyway a 250 or 300 should work ok. 2 wheel - 4 wheel just depends how deep ya want to go. good luck

Blink · « **Reply #3 on:** April 22, 2006, 02:59:07 PM »

Me and my buddies talk about this topic all the time. We've all come to the conclusion that 250cc's is more than powerful enough for the average hunter/rider.

My buddy has an old polaris 250 4X4 and its perfect. He through some wooly boogers on the back and rarely uses 4wd. Racks can still haul a decent load and if you need more, make up a small meat wagon to haul behind it. Unless your gonna be in alot of mud, I wouldnt get all hung up on 4wd, or just buy decent tires for the back and dont worry about it.

As for shifting, I never had a problem. My wife has an old 1988 yamaha bigbear 350. its a 5 speed. Shifting with micky mouse boots on is kinda tough but its doable. This is probably the best ATV I have ever owned, its pulled my polaris 400 out of the woods more than once :lol:

30-30man · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2006, 03:59:47 AM »

I can remember a while back anything with 250cc was considered big and powerful. I started hunting with a Honda 125atc three wheeler. It still runs and will drag a small deer out of the woods. I just bought a Yamaha Bruin 350 Automatic. It has way more power than I'll ever need. The 250cc class is very powerful and will do anything you want it to do. The 2wd atv will go anywhere a 4wd truck will go. Most people I know with 4wd on their atvs, don't use them. In fact, I find it harder to steer a 4wd. Check out the Yamaha Bruin 250, Kawa Boyou 250, or the Honda recon 250, they are all great bikes and will last years and are under $3000. Most of us buy more than we ever need. There is nothing wrong with a 250cc atv.

azshooter · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2006, 04:43:40 AM »

I have a Honda Recon 250 and a Yamaha Kodiak 400 4x4. The Honda has plenty of power for hunting, can easily carry or drag a deer and is much more nimble than my heavy Yamaha 4x4. I would buy the Honda again without hesitation.

257 roberts · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2006, 04:56:03 PM »

I went thru this too, and bought a Honda 350 4x4
I love it!!! runs good, plenty of power, very quite.

markc · « **Reply #7 on:** April 25, 2006, 03:39:51 AM »

I wouldn't go under a 250cc quad. Actually the Arctic Cat 250 4X4 would be a nice quad I think. Lots of big quad features for a small displacement quad.

xraze · « **Reply #8 on:** April 25, 2006, 10:25:58 AM »

I've been riding a 300 arctic cat 4x4 since '99. 5 speed gear box that has 3 different selectable "gear ranges- hi-lo-super lo. It isn't anything that will get you back to camp 1st, but is capable of handling 2 elk quarters on
the rear and one on the front rack. It was a dicey ride as the trail was nasty with tree roots, holes, etc. Lo center of gravity; independant rear suspension; granny gear capability; yeah! It works!

xraze

markc · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2006, 02:47:03 AM »

I've always liked the AC quads. They have alot of nice features. If I hadn't decided to go side by side rather than a new 4 wheeler, I would ahve bought an AC. Now they have a side by side in the Prowler with the H1 650 motor. I don't like the looks tooo much, but they are selling a few of them.

Idaho Ron · « **Reply #10 on:** May 02, 2006, 05:50:32 PM »

this is a picture of mine set up for bird hunting. I know we are not supposed to ride double but my son and I do, but we are careful. The areas i most hunt are not real rugged. Mine is a Honda Recon 4x2. I have carried some large bucks out with this bike, and a lot of birds. The Box in front is to store my valuable stuff and I can lock it. The tube behind it is a water tank. I use it for water for the dogs or to clean up with after a kill. I like it for desert hunting but in the mountains it doesn't have enough power or traction, and it spins out going up hills with a lot of gravel. When I get a new one so we can each have our own. I will get a medium sized 4X4.
We do not ride off road, or hunt off the bikes. We use them to keep from tearing up the truck. Ron
http://www.hunt101.com/img/328300.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/img/328299.jpg

markc · « **Reply #11 on:** May 03, 2006, 07:01:45 AM »

Nice rig Ron. Looks like one some Hog/Dog hunters I hunted with recently use. Yours looks alot cleaner though.

Idaho Ron · « **Reply #12 on:** May 03, 2006, 05:27:04 PM »

One of the roads I use to hunt deer and sage hens is bad rough. I drove it once with a truck and the 4 miles takes about 3 hours to drive. On the 4 wheeler it takes just about 45 minutes or less. When I am bird hunting I use it to save gas. It gets 60 miles to the gallon in the mountains. My truck gets about 12. This is how i carry my motorcycle. I need a trailer that I can take both at the same time. Ron
http://www.hunt101.com/img/379926.jpg

markc · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2006, 02:53:38 AM »

60 mpg, is that on the ATV or the 2wheeler?

Idaho Ron · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2006, 02:21:44 PM »

They both get 60 MPG. Both are 250 class bikes and they both weigh about the same, the atv is just over 300 lbs, and the bike is 280 lbs.
The ATV won't get that if it is loaded real heavy. If it is just me it will get 60. If it is me and the dog and gear it is in the high 40's add another rider and it drops more but not as much as the truck. where the milage really drops is rock crawling when I am sage grouse hunting. That is a tough workout for any rig. at that point it is all about being able to just get there and I don't worry about milage. Ron

Jaydub in Wi · « **Reply #15 on:** May 09, 2006, 06:16:42 AM »

I use a yamaha wolverine. It's a 4x4 and has 350 ccs. It has a 5 speed tranny but isn't too hard to shift with heavy boots on.it weighs 500 lbs so it's not too hard to get unstuck by hand. it's got plenty of power to haul deer and firewood. I know someone with an 800cc atv but for me no thanks, especially with gas at 3 bucks a gallon

Sourdough · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2006, 09:10:05 AM »

I own a 1987 Suzuki 250 4WD. I bought it new in 1987. It gets driven once a year usually (sometimes I don't use for two years or so) and I have had no problems with it. I replaced the battery twice. I pull it out of the snow every spring and charge the battery with a charger, then change the oil, put in new gas and start it. Then I will drain the gas and run it dry, push it under the shed, and leave it till needed in the fall hunt in August/September.It will be run daily during August and September. I use it to get into some awful ragged places, then tow a meat trailer with either Caribou or Moose meat to the highway. This rig lost it brakes 17 years ago, but with 15 gears and a superlow range who needs them? Yes I own newer 4-wheelers, but this is the rig for towing heavy loads. I have brought out half a Moose on the racks once, but towing a trailer is easier and cleaner in the mud we go through. With the gears it's got I can pull some really heavy loads back to the road. After hunting season the fuel is drained and it is parked till next year.

markc · « **Reply #17 on:** July 24, 2006, 02:40:05 AM »

Sourdough, I have driven one of those old Suzuki's with the three tranny settings and all the gears. Man those things were made to last weren't they? And they were made to work. With the right gear ratios, even a 250CC quad can do some amazing things. It is suprising though that the industry has gone to such large motors and still look to make em bigger with each successive year model...

Dogshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** September 05, 2006, 03:29:22 AM »

Guess it all depends on where you live. I live pretty high up in the Rockies and I have been running a 500 Sportsman. It is not overpowered. I have to haul some pretty heavy game out of some pretty hairy terrain and it hasn't let me down yet. I have been in a situation or two where I wished I had a bit more power. My brother came up from Texas with his 335 (I think) Polaris 4x4 and it was pretty anemic.

markc · « **Reply #19 on:** September 05, 2006, 07:15:19 AM »

Dogshooter, if I were in your area, hauling the loads that you are, I would opt for a large ATV too. I've known some pretty big boys who rode a 125cc quad and swore by it. Then again, they drove relatively flat ground at low elevations and hauled mostly just their own weight. Most whitetail around these parts do not get very big...

SURVEYOR · « **Reply #20 on:** September 06, 2006, 06:25:00 AM »

I just bought an 2002 Arctic 250 2x4 this past spring. It wasn't my first choice, but the deal I got made it easy. As it turns out I couldn't be happier. That cat is wide and heavy making it very stable. Being geared correctly for the size and the motor it's going to be a good one in my book. I went to the camp last Saturday to bush hog. I load it in the bed of my Toyota pickup just fine. I have to ride over the wheel wells and put blocking between the atv and bed at the cab to keep from knocking my rear window out. But she ride good straped down with the tail gate down. Unloads just as easy. That's one place where the low range gearing comes in handy. She climbs slow, strong, and sure footed. I ride in high range most of the time. But come deer season I may have to drag and haul in low range, at least climbing darn hill to the camp grounds. Right now after using it at the camp, and doing survey jobs where I have to haul equiptment and my helper, it's a big jump from my old 200M. For Mississippi hunting on high land, through the woods, crossing creeks, climbing hills, I'd say a 250 would be the smallest atv to get. My next is going to be a 400 4x4. I do think it's going to be an Arctic Cat!

markc · « **Reply #21 on:** September 07, 2006, 04:12:17 AM »

Surveyor, I actually recommended an AC 250 back in April, only I said 4X4. I nearly bought one before decideing to go to side by sides rather than traditional ATV's...

SURVEYOR · « **Reply #22 on:** September 07, 2006, 01:40:24 PM »

You sure did! I got lucky fiinding this deal. Getting a used 4x4 was a very long shot. But this won't be my last cat. Runing fast is out of my class. But getting to the top of the hill, across a creek, through a low area without getting stuck is very important. After studying Arctic Cats for the past several months they seem to rule the hard to ride off the trail world. I keep wanting to get the 650 H!, but it's way too much atv for my world. But we can have dreams.

Maryland Hunter · « **Reply #23 on:** October 07, 2006, 07:48:59 AM »

Carrol B,
I bought a Artic Cat 250 4X4 several years ago, and it has worked fine for me. I, too, don't put a lot of miles on it, but it starts right up every year without fail. Use some gas additive (sta-bil) and start it up once in a while, it'll be fine. I chose the AC for many reasons but for one, it has a shifting pedal, instead of the toe shift. Better for hunting boots. Most now are automatic, though. I rarely use the 4X4, most of the time 2wd and low gear if needed. The newer 250 ACs are a little smaller, and 2wd only, I'll bet they work fine.
Good luck.

MH

Lives2hunt · « **Reply #24 on:** October 25, 2006, 01:53:54 AM »

Lots of great info from experienced hunters makes the search for a great ATV much easier. Thanks to everyone I'm a little closer to owning my first ATV. Was thinking about going to some dealers to see what they had to offer in the used line but then I don't want to buy a lemon someone else got rid of.

Any tips for checking out a used ATV & what to watch out for. I know tires can become expensive but not sure about brakes or other issues.

markc · « **Reply #25 on:** October 25, 2006, 03:08:52 AM »

Checking out a used quad, look for signs of obvious abuse. Racks can get scrapped up, but they shouldn't be terribly bent or broken. Take a step back and look at the front end, do both front tires seem to be pointing in the same direction? Turn the bars back and forth, and see if it is smooth, or do you feel something catching, or notchy. Any smoke when it starts up? Does it start up easily? If it looks abused, pass it by. There are too many used quads out there, especially after most hunting seasons come ot an end to buy one that is gonna be trouble for you.

Lives2hunt · « **Reply #26 on:** October 25, 2006, 07:54:58 AM »

Sounds like some very good advice. I went to the local Honda & the Polaris shop today and felt the Polaris Hawkeye 4x4 would be just what I need. But I'm concerned about how well the engines hold up and their reliability compared to Honda. I'll keep searching the threads for more inf. Thanks again!

CallaoJoe · « **Reply #27 on:** October 25, 2006, 08:16:07 AM »

I wouldn't necessarily worry about the size of the rack for yer ATV. I usually just drag them out with the ATV, and don't put em on the rack anyway. Dang things aren't easy to get on the rack if yer by yourself, and you have to make sure thinks like legs & antlers don't get hung up in it.

I have a Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4, and it's more than enough to get deer out of the woods in my area. If yer gonna use it for food plots, then 400cc with 4x4 would be the min size I'd consider. One of the things I like about the Big Bear over the Arctic Cats of the same size, they're not as bulky with all the plastic, and they're easier to get in and out of tight places. Not had experience with the Honda's Zuki's & Polaris's.... If all yer gonna do is use it to transport deer out of the woods, the 250 should be sufficient...

DRHUNTER · « **Reply #28 on:** March 11, 2007, 05:15:08 AM »

I just went thru the same thing. What size do I really need. After months of researching I finally ended up buying a 2006 Honda Rancher 4x4 350 FM. I looked a lot of quads but always came back to the Honda because of it's simplicity and reputation for durability. Right now you should be able to get a good deal on 2006 Ranchers. Honda just redesigned the Rancher for 07 and the dealers are dealing pretty good on the 06's. Mine is a manual shift fulltime 4x4 and weighs around 500 lbs. I am 6'2" and weigh 215 lbs. and the Rancher has more than enough power. I load it into my F-150 bed and can't even tell it's there. I also looked at the Hawkeye but I got the Honda for $700.00 less. I plan to use it for hunting and hauling wood at my cottage in northern Michigan. Good luck with your decision.

NorthernMich · « **Reply #29 on:** May 06, 2007, 01:37:48 PM »

This fits in my truck...

or on the back of an SUV with a rack.

Deer goes in sled

www.rokon.com Rokon

A 250 or 230 4 wheeler will also surprise you for it's power. Snow? mountains? What terrain?