At first glance, hunters and ATV riders have little in common. One sits quietly in the woods, patiently waiting for his or her moment to act. The other tears around the woods on a loud motorized toy, leaving a trail of exhaust.

Believe it or not, these two can be one and the same when they’re united for a common purpose: hauling hunters and gear into the woods. In this article you’ll learn about how hunting ATVs work, why hunters use them, how they handle and some of the accessories and types available. But first, let’s talk ATV basics.

If you take a look at the range of all-terrain vehicles on the market, you’ll notice two kinds: sport models and utility models.

Sport models are primarily made for fun. They’re lighter than the utility models, more maneuverable, and built for speed. Utility models, on the other hand, are bigger, heavier, can handle more cargo and can be customized for particular jobs.

As you might have guessed, hunting ATVs fall into the utility category. ATVs typically are single-rider vehicles that are powered by a gas or electric engine. Engines are described by their size, measured in cubic centimeters. The more ccs, the more power. Adult models typically range from 250 cc to 1,000 cc.

To handle off-road terrain, ATVs have suspension systems that are either fully independent or a combination of front independent suspension with a swing arm on the rear suspension. The swing arm is basically a solid axle that’s connected to an arm that moves up and down to absorb some of the shock.

ATVs ride on four heavy-duty tires designed to handle a variety of terrain. Four-wheel drive is the most popular, with two-wheel drive a distant second. There are three-wheeled ATVs out there, but they’re no longer manufactured in the United States because of their tendency to flip over. ATVs are continually evolving; Yamaha and Honda now offer power steering on some ATV models.

Read on to find out why hunters like using ATVs.

Why Hunters Use ATVs：

Hunters like ATVs because they make hunting easier. Hunting ATVs have high ground clearance, front and/or back racks and a scabbard (the protective holder for rifles and shotguns). Hunters typically carry an array of gear, and many models offer extra storage.

ATVs open up remote areas that hunters wouldn’t be able to reach on their own or in another vehicle. Much smaller than pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and 4x4s, ATVs can access trails that large vehicles can’t touch. They leave the others in the dust or stuck in a ditch somewhere.

ATVs are like army mules — they carry heavy-duty gear so soldiers don’t have to. If you’re a hunter, think about the equipment you use on a hunt. Your list probably includes a weapon, ammunition, food and water, a heater or perhaps even equipment to make a blind. One hunter can transport a 10.5-foot (3.2 meter) platform (complete with a shooting house on top of it and a swivel seat) to his hunting site via his ATV. Imagine transporting all of that gear on foot.

But there’s an even bigger advantage to using an ATV. ATVs allow successful hunters to take their kill with them. Without the extra load capacity of an ATV, hunters sometimes would be forced to leave a large kill behind temporarily, or even cut it into sections to get it back to camp. Coyotes or other scavengers are an ever-present threat to the remaining carcass. With an ATV, hunters need little more than a rope to drag their trophy back to their truck or camp.

If you’re seriously considering buying an ATV, you might want to know more about the accessories available. Take out your notepad and move onto the next section to learn more.

How Much Do They Cost?

Depending on the model, engine power and accessories, hunters can pay from $1,500 to $11,000 for an ATV package. Do your research before investing in one. Consider how often you hunt and how much you’d like to invest in your passion.

Hunting ATV Accessories

Walk through any sporting goods store and you’ll realize that hunters are very serious about their gear. There are some amazing accessories available for hunting ATVs. Let’s look at some of the options:

  • Camouflage finish
  • Hard-sided cases for bowsand firearms
  • Cargo boxes or bags
  • ATV windshields
  • Front and rear shocks to increase ground clearance and traction
  • GPS devices
  • Heated handgrips for the handlebars
  • Covers for protection from the elements
  • Trailers for towing
  • ATV accessories like cultivators, seeders, disk plows and spreaders
  • Open- or closed-face ATV helmets
  • Kits to help protect the underbelly of an ATV, namely the skid plates, A-arms and rear differential
  • Camouflage fender and seat covers

To find out what some ATV users are doing to make their rides quieter, read the next section.

Electric Hunting ATVs

One potential drawback of using ATVs while hunting is that their gas engine noise and exhaust is likely to spook any nearby game. It may also explain the appeal of battery-powered ATVs, which offer hunters the option to travel in relative quiet.

Several electric ATV models on the market, called E-ATVs, offer an alternative to the gas-powered versions. But they’re generally slower and have smaller ranges than gas ATVs. The ATEV28 model from manufacturer EVS, for example, is limited to a top speed of 35 mph (57 kilometers per hour) and a maximum range of 25 miles (41 km) . (That maximum range is based upon flat surface use — expect it to be lower on hilly, off-road terrain.)

Because of their lower speed and range capabilities, smaller E-ATVs have been marketed to younger users. For example, X-Treme’s XA-750 Electric ATV runs on three heavy-duty 12 volt, 12 amp batteries. It can go up to 20 mph (33 kmph), weighs 150 pounds (60 kilograms), and carries a maximum load of 300 pounds (120 kg).

Batteries are also powering the side-by-side or off-road utility vehicle (UTV) market. Some ATV models can seat two people, but the riders sit astride the bike, motorcycle-style. Side-by-sides/UTVs represent the next size up from ATVs — riders sit next to each other. For example, Bad Boys Buggies has a four-wheel-drive all-electric utility vehicle that runs on two engines. It has a 1,000-pound (454 kg) load capacity. It can seat four people if they employ the flip-seat feature that eliminates the cargo area. On a single charge, it offers a range between 16 and 28 miles (26 to 46 km) and can travel up to 19 mph (31 kmph). Read on to learn some of the techniques hunters use for handling their ATVs, whether gas-powered or electric.

Replacement Mufflers

Here’s one way to quiet gas-powered ATVs: Replace the muffler with one designed specifically to decrease the noise. GGB Exhaust Technologies even makes replacement mufflers in matte black to reduce glare. What will they think of next? Camo?

Handling Hunting ATVs:

To properly control and steer an ATV, the driver must learn to shift his or her weight and position on the seat. With an extra load in the front, whether a deer or an elk, the ATV’s handling characteristics will change considerably.

So, hunters need to check the load capacity of their ATVs and consult the owner’s manual to determine the best location for the game. The additional load will change the vehicle’s center of gravity, decrease stability and increase the risk of a possible rollover.

Hunters should never ride with a loaded firearm. Bows should not be strung, either. All weapons should be safely stowed in a case, separate from the ammunition.

When retrieving game, you should get as close as possible to a road or ATV-approved trail, then hike the rest of the way on foot. Stay on designated roads and trails. As enticing as it may be, don’t take the shortest route possible by going cross-country on your ATV. It could anger property owners, lead to more regulation that restricts ATV use or possibly cause physical injury or damage to the ATV.

Now that you’ve learned about hunting ATVs, you might have more questions. Check out a dealer near you or on the Internet. Just remember to be safe. If the state in which you are hunting requires hunter orange, wear it. Even if your ATV is decked out in camouflage, it is important for you to be seen by other hunters.

Now we would like to recommend three kinds of hunting clothes designed and made by Taian Bowins Garments Co., Ltd. suitable for ATV hunting activities. The three hunting suits include seamless down jackets for cold outdoor weather in fall and winter, seamless non-stitching waterproof jackets for hunting which can be wore under waders, and casual hunting hoodies that are always necessary to help you hunt for long periods of time, keep you warm, and bring the harvest of your hunting season. The following are the details of three kinds of hunting clothing made by Bowins for ATV hunting activities:

Seamless Hunting Down Jacket

This thin and light down jacket fabric is a seamless one-piece fabric, which can effectively avoid the down burrowing from the needle like ordinary quilted down jackets, and has a beautiful appearance. The seamless down jacket is warm and beautiful, easy to move, and fits the human body. The curved, ribbed zipper is an invisible zipper pocket, which fits the overall seamless design. The hem of the cuffs is elastically closed to better block the entry of cold wind and keep warm and comfortable. The inner down is made of RDS high-fluffy 90/10 white duck down, which is environmentally friendly and has high fluffy, correspondingly less down filling, make sure warm and light, and can be worn inside and outside. It is a must-have for winter ATV hunting.The insulated hunting jacket is the ideal garment for winter hunting sports.

Waterproof Hunting Jacket

Hunting Seamless Jacket is made of imported seamless laminating equipment. Shell fabric of this hunting seamless jacket is 95% polyester,5% spandex with TPU lamination 10k/10kmm,bonded float soft yarn fabric.Good DWR finish can let small rain flow on the shell. The whole body is seamless laminating. The hem cuffs and caps are also seamless. The chest pocket is laser cut taping pocket which is high waterproof performance. The pocket design is unique, and the adjustable stopper is an invisible stopper, bringing you a high-end dressing experience. Center front of this hunting seamless jacket use YKK vislon waterproof zipper,and pockets use YKK nylon waterproof zipper. Inside all the seams are PU Taped. This hunting seamless jacket is a ideal jacket for outdoor hunting sports.

Hunting Hoodies

The Camo Hunting Hoodie was developed to withstand the nastiest of conditions: cold, wet, and mud. With no body zippers to let in mud or water, a coral fleece lined body for comfort and warmth, insulated arm padding for frictionless on and off, a re-designed contoured adjustable hood for greater peripheral vision, and our new rubber internal cuff system, the hunting casual hoodie will keep you warm and dry in almost any outdoor environment. Thoughtful details like handwarmer pockets placed high to sit above your wader bib and a quick access accessory front pocket make this an essential piece for all of your outdoor adventures.