Tips For Hunting With Your ATV

When you’re out hunting, sometimes the best game isn’t right where you’d expect it to be. If you want to explore remote, hard-to-access areas to find a more ideal hunting spot, you may want to invest in an ATV. All-terrain vehicles provide a convenient form of transportation to venture deep into the forest since they’re small enough to get around trees and rugged enough to handle rough terrain. Plus, you’ll be able to travel farther faster and carrying any particularly heavy game will be a breeze. If you intend to use your ATV on your next hunting trip, make sure you’re properly prepared and bring the right gear along.

Big Country Powersports is your premier ATV dealer in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which is why we have provided some tips to help you make the most out of hunting with your ATV. If you have any questions or if you’re still searching for your dream quad, get in touch with us today!

Choose the Right Equipment

Having the right gear can make all the difference on your hunting trip. Rifle scabbards protect your rifle and scope from the elements while keeping it secure during transportation. Winches can be used to pull the game out of the brush so it can be dressed. A GPS will help you navigate your way back to your vehicle if you get lost. It also allows you to mark your favorite hunting locations on the map so you can find them easily the next time you return. It’s also a good idea to carry an LED light bar to increase visibility during dawn or dusk, as well as in dimmer forest areas.

Gear Up

Whenever you operate your quad, you should wear a helmet. You’ll also want to dress for the water while keeping safety in mind. To make yourself visible to others in the area, make sure to wear a bright-colored vest. Even when it’s hot outside, you’ll want to protect your arms and legs by wearing long sleeves and pants. Don’t forget to wear a durable riding jacket, a sturdy pair of boots, and gloves with a good grip. During the colder months, it’s advisable to keep yourself warm by wearing layers.

Scout Your Location in Advance

You'll want to track down an ideal hunting spot ahead of time. A good way to ensure a successful excursion is to find the best feeding grounds depending on what type of game you’re hunting. Your ATV can come in handy for this trip. You'll be able to quickly navigate difficult terrain and cover plenty of ground with ease. It's much easier and more time-efficient than walking. As you cruise around, look out for any paths of movement, as well as areas with your prey's favorite vegetation.

Follow the Rules & Regulations

You should always make sure that you’re complying with all ATV and hunting-related laws. There are many areas that you won’t be granted access to. This could mean that motorized vehicles are banned from a particular area, or it could be protected land for ecological reasons, or it’s land that’s owned by a business that doesn’t allow hunting (which is the case for many mining and logging businesses). Make sure that you’re fully aware of all the locations that are accessible for hunting.

There are also rules for riding and hunting. Most areas of the country will not allow you to ride with a loaded weapon, so make sure you remove ammunition from your firearm before you move locations. Other basic hunting rules will always apply, including hunting in the correct season, having the right hunting tags, as well as wearing proper safety gear to keep yourself visible to other hunters.

Hunting Tips

As beneficial as an ATV can be, it can also interfere with your hunting experience. If you make too much noise or ride too hard, the sounds can scare away the animals. Keep your engine in a lower RPM range and try to stick to established trails so as not to destroy animal habitats. 

Once you’ve reached the area you want to hunt, consider getting off the ATV and finishing the last leg on foot if you can. This way, if you still managed to chase off some of the animals, you can distance yourself from the quad and hopefully, find the best game again. You can also cover your ATV to help it blend into the landscape better.

Prioritize Safety

Your safety and that of any passenger riding with you should be your top priority. If you’re an experienced rider, you’ll already be aware of these things. You should never drink or use drugs before riding your ATV. Reduce your speed as you enter the woods. As you’ll be handling weapons, it’s up to you to ensure the safety of your hunting party and any others in the area.

We hope this guide to hunting with your ATV is helpful. For more information or to check out some quality ATVs for sale, visit Big Country Powersports in Bowling Green, KY. We proudly serve all those in Louisville, KY, and Nashville, TN.