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ATVriders.com
Explores Hunting & Fishing with ATVs &
UTVs
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ATVs
& UTVs are a great for exploring the
great outdoors, and they allow people to
go places not possible with any other vehicle,
but responsible riding is the key to maintaining
access to the trails |
(9/19/2008) - In just a few years,
ATVriders.com has established itself as an Internet
news leader for ATV / UTV industry focusing initially
on just the sport ATV and racing market, and over
the past two years, we have expanded our news to
include Utility ATV & UTV news. We are now ready
to take the next step and reach out to the recreation
riders, hunters, and farmers with more hunting and
fishing themed stories that relate to many ATV &
UTV users. As we turn our attention to the combining
of the wo sports, we would like to take the time
to discuss some serious do's and don’ts when
it comes to heading to the field with your ATV /
UTV.
The explosion of the ATV and UTV market have
people more then ever heading to their favorite
hunting spots with their ATV / UTV in tow. They
sure do make life easier when you can strap on
your equipment and rocket off to your chosen spot
or favorite tree stand without breaking your back
carrying every gadget you purchased in the off
season!
The very first rule to all of this is to get
permission to actually use your ATV / UTV on the
property you hunt or fish! Many landowners have
a very bad taste in their mouths when it comes
to all terrain vehicles due to the lack of respect
and criminal trespassing that occurs all over
the country by unscrupulous riders. 20 years ago,
not crossing a farmer’s fence was paramount
in good relations and these days not running over
his crops may take over those infamous teachings.
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Always ride responsibly and obey posted
signs and never ride through farm fields
regardless if the crops are just freshly
planted or harvested fields |
Before you drag your machine to farmer Joe’s
on opening day, maybe chat with him in the summer
about its use and even ask if you can use it to
help him get some chores done. Promoting responsible
ATV / UTV use will not only help our sport, it
will also help the man who is gracious enough
to give you permission to hunt his land. Many
will say a stout NO, and you should take that
as a clear sign that he has had his share of problems
with ATV’s and you should drop the subject!
If you get to use your all terrain vehicle, remember
that it needs to stay on the farm roads or trails
and to keep out of the fields unless you have
permission. Compacting the soil won’t help
come spring when its time to drill seed along
your well beaten path to and from your stand as
it winds across or beside a field. A little forethought
can go along way in keeping up a good image and
proper relations with the landowner.
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The use of ATVs / UTVs for hunting is a
great asset for hauling out large game from
remote locations to your pick-up |
I personally try and keep ATV use to a minimum
during the season and try to use it only to haul
out any large game I may have taken to lessen
the impact on the property I hunt. Unfortunately
many take the permission to use it too far and
go nuts at the chance to ride land that has no
business being ridden on. Getting permission to
hunt is hard enough without bad apples piling
on more fuel to the farmers fire.
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When
heading out to your favorite hunting / fishing
spot, park your ATV / UTV along the main
trail and hike to the rest of the way |
Your choice of tires should be considered as
well, and a light footprint will keep vehicle
impact as low as possible. I could name things
like soil erosion and crop damage but many times
it’s just an eye sore looking across a field
at a bunch of ATV tracks that last until the field
is worked in the spring. Think about how the farmer
or landowner will view your impact on his land
and you’ve taken the first steps at showing
responsible ATV behavior when it comes to hunting
with our machines.
In upcoming articles, we will show you how to
make a food plot using your ATV and how to put
your machine to work for you this hunting season.
Remember that just like hunting, safety should
be considered first and using a helmet is just
as important as using your firearms safety. It
only takes once without either being employed
to ruin your day!
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