ATV for hunting

[cammy]

I know a lot of guys scoff at the thought of an ATV being used while hunting. I personally have only recently purchased an ATV which I used while hunting in Nevada last year. It was nice having a quick convenient way to get me from camp to a trail head or to a promising area. Made a great platform from which to glass from a vantage point.

I am contemplating using the quad this year in California but am concerned about leaving the quad and coming back to empty tire tracks. Anyone use a quad and have a method of securing it while you are away hunting?

 

[CaliCoyoteCaller]

I use mine in Ca..I just try to stash it in the brush where it can't be seen easily. I fully agree that ATVs provide exceptional value when hunting.

 

[Brnsvllyjohn]

I have been using a quad for transportation in the forest for well over 10 years and have never had an issue. I usually park at the end of a road or atv trail and have not worried about trying to hide my quad. I worry more about the stuff at my campsite than I do the quad. I know stuff can happen but so far I have had no issues. The forest service as well as the game wardens are really strict on the helmet rules as well as no passengers so be sure to follow those guidelines. The atv in general has been a big help for me and I take one 75% of the time on trips into the forest for hunting or fishing.

 

[cammy]

Thanks guys. I read on an ATV forum about disc brake locks. They clamp on the rotor and some of them have a built in alarm. My major concern is parking the quad and walking in a mile or so only to have to walk another 5 miles back to camp cause somebody jacked my ride.

 

[jhill528]

Something else that I have been looking into is using Electric powered mountain bikes/ scooters. They can be a bit pricey, but many have a 50-100 mile range which is more than enough for my area. Plus they are super quite and a lot faster than walking. Just another idea.

 

[Daveyboy]

You might be able to put a cable lock or even a pad lock through the wheel, sprocket, or something like the holes in the disc brake...? It's not a sure way of securing, but it'd be a deterrent for sure.

 

[fishnhunt]

I've run atvs in the woods for work for many years now. Although I don't ride them as much as I used to (I used to put over 1,500 miles per year) I've never had a problem. And none of my coworkers have either.

 

[TheGDog]

Disc brake lock should be all you need... just be sure to get the coiled tether cable that you stretch up from the lock and loop over the end of your handlebar. That tether acts as visual a reminder to you that you have the disc lock on, so you don't mess up and forget to take it off first before firing it up and trying to go.... thereby bending your front brake rotor. That would be extremely bad out in the middle of nowhere. Trust me... it's easier than you think to forget a disc-lock is on there. Especially when you first start to use one.

 

[Chuck buck]

A cable or chain through the frame and around a tree works. 4 guys can't lift it up and put it in the back of a pickup that way.

 

[Planetcat]

I use mine in Ca..I just try to stash it in the brush where it can't be seen easily. I fully agree that ATVs provide exceptional value when hunting.

I've done this on public land with my quad. For extra piece of mind, I'll use a big kryptonite cable lock and lock it to a tree. They can be had for a reasonable price on ebay and amazon, and strong enough to keep honest people honest.

 

[Chuck buck]

An ATV is a great tool for hunting.

 

[TheGDog]

Thanks guys. I read on an ATV forum about disc brake locks. They clamp on the rotor and some of them have a built in alarm. My major concern is parking the quad and walking in a mile or so only to have to walk another 5 miles back to camp cause somebody jacked my ride.

Make damn well sure you remember to remove that disc brake lock! It's EXTREMELY easy to forget it's on and attempt to get underway and jack your rotor up... leaving you with a wheel that's bound-up... then ya gotta bend the rotor back close to shape just so you can get outta there.... but then the brake lever pulsates badly and of course it's a bit dangerous to have a bent rotor.

Get one of the disc-locks with the long tether that you slip onto the end of your handlebar, that way you're much less likely to forget.

 

[TheGDog]

A cable or chain through the frame and around a tree works. 4 guys can't lift it up and put it in the back of a pickup that way.

It only takes two. They put 2x4's under it, or thru the wheels when it's a moto. Affectionately known as a "Samoan Lift-Off".

 

[KTKT70]

All you need is the wheel lock bar. Locks the front to back with one solid bar. Good design.