ATV rookie

idabigbuck

idabigbuck

Active Member
Messages
134
I finally bought an ATV. I intend to use it to save wear and tear on my truck and get me close to my hunting areas. I will still be hiking to the target areas of my research.

My question is:
The ATV will be alone for long periods of time, what do you do to prevent theft of gear or the machine? Any recommendations for storage gear? Do you always ride with a helmet?

I'm a total rookie and this may seem obvious to you ATV veterans, but my guess is others may have the same questions?

Thanks for your reply's
Idabigbuck
 
I really don't ever get off it! It prevents theft of gear/bike and you never have to pack game very far.
37205hornkiller.jpg
 
Guess I came to the wrong place looking for advice. I always live by the rule, the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask. Apparently that rule doesn't apply here.
 
I don't wear a helmet and wouldn't leave anything to tempt anyone but I've never had an issue myself. Park it in a legal spot not back on some illegal trail and you should be good to go.
 
My biggest concern always is the dirtbags that don't respect anything. Make sure you have good theft insurance because you're probably going to need it. The new normal sucks
 
Stay where it's legal to be. Take the key and don't leave anything on our around it or it will most likely come up missing.

4b1db2ac644136c4.jpg
 
I have a front and rear hardsided storage boxes from Rocky Mountain Atv, I think they are supposed to be for Suzuki?s but mine are on Honda?s and I put little pad locks on when I leave it to keep the honest people out. No helmet for me, might regret it one day. My truck doesn't leave camp which was a good thing this last week.
 
Some of the ATV forums recommend having a portable compressor and plugs on hand, sounds reasonable to me. The hard side storage sounds like a deterrent to thieves. It's not going to stop a determined Thief though. I will be hunting the deserts of Southern Idaho where it's a long way between towns.
 
LAST EDITED ON Oct-14-18 AT 04:28PM (MST)[p]

Locked mine the first cpl times I used it, 15 years ago. Now I just park it, and leave my bow case on it. Nobody messes with it. I put one of those cordura atv seat/storage things on it, they're nice.

99555img2636.jpg
 
Just stay legal. Had issues in Idaho this week with people on closed roads and its no fun for anybody.

Get the free Motorized Use Maps from the managing agency and use them. It's your duty to know roads, whether they are marked or not.

I carry FixAFlat and plugs and the tool kit that came with the machine. It's amazing what you can fix if you have to.

I've never had issues with parking my machine on legal roads and just taking the key. :Knock on wood:

Grizzly

-----------------------------------------
"This is a classic case of a handful of greedy fly fishermen getting too greedy." -Don Peay, Founder of SFW, as told to KUTV

"It's time to revisit the widely accepted principle in the United States and Canada that game is a public resource."
-Don Peay, Founder of SFW, as quoted in Anchorage Daily News
 
KEEP IT LEGAL!

TUNE-UPS are FREE in the High Country!

Don't do what these People did!


67742atvride.jpg









I know so many people in so many places
They make allot of money but they got sad faces

It Ain't Easy being Me!:D:D:D
 
I've used mine for 20+ years in the mountainous areas of East TN, hunting whitetails and turkeys on public land. I leave it off the trail and have never had any issues with people bothering or stealing anything. It only stays for the day though, and usually has things like helmets, gun cases, tree stands, koolers, tow straps, and other things. I never leave something of high value, such as a gun or key in it.

I always wear a helmet. And more importantly, safety glasses or sunglasses. Briars and limbs can often surprise you. A good pair of leather gloves helps as well. My previous ride has Mud Lite tires, which would run flat. Not sure about the ones on my 2017 Rubicon.

If you're like me and often ride/hunt alone, be sure to have a good limb saw and a couple of long ratchet straps. A good limb saw is really pretty handy for small trees, and the ratchet straps come in handy when the mud is deeper than you thought! Even though my new ride has a winch, I still keep the ratchet straps on it.

I'll add that as far as hunting gear, the ATV was my best investment!
 
Rookie,
If you had been around this forum long enough, you'd know one of MM's most revered contributor has a running distain for illegal ATV operators. Thus the initial hesitance in giving you feedback.
That said, others have chimed in with good advice. Here is my similar two bits:
Park out of plain sight when that's an option but stay where it's legal.
Hide your key so a tree hugger doesn't steal them in spite.
Wear a helmet if you can (but I don't and also may regret that some day)
Have some kind of pump and tire kit in case of trouble you didn't intend. (eventually you will have a flat)
Know the limits of yours and your rigs climbing capability and don't try to exceed them. (good friend cracked his back exceeding his)
Enjoy your rig but only use it for what it is intended...to get you to and from legal paths.

Oh and be careful if you ride near Northeastern Utah, where our revered contributor might tune up your ATV with a 338 RUM. :) :)

Have fun and be safe.
 
There are several atv storage options out there. Just pick one that suits your needs. That said, I don't leave anything of significant value in mine. A cheap 12V tire inflator, tire plugs, slime, rags...

For theft protection, obviously take the keys out however, as an additional measure if you can find a discreet electrical connection and can unplug it, that usually works well. I've left a atvs at trailheads for multiple days without any issues.

Wear a helmet....even if it provides minimal protection ie. open face. As important even more so in a sense, is wearing eye protection.

Congrats on your purchase!
 
The Water/Weather Proof Hard Plastic/Poly Boxes are the Best!

A Hand Saw,Rope/Bungee Cords,Extra Flashlight,couple bottles of water,but Pad the Water,them Cheap Plastic water Bottles won't last!

A Few Might Consider an Extra Piston!








I know so many people in so many places
They make allot of money but they got sad faces

It Ain't Easy being Me!:D:D:D
 
Having hunted without an ATV for the first 25 years of my hunting career, I know the frustration of having worked my tail off to get to a remote location, only to have some yahoo come ripping off trail, spooking everything within earshot! There is no chance I would repeat that. I've been tempted to do a little "tune up" myself from time to time!
 
Always, always wear a helmet. The founder of this hunting site almost lost his wife in an at accident and not wearing a helmet. See the story of ksl-outdoors with Adam eakle.
I leave my king quad up on the mountain while I'm off hunting and it's been left alone. You may consider getting a at cover to put over the machine while hunting. Don't leave any valuable items behind ie.spotters range finders etc
Your right on not wearing out an auto on the mountain
 
There are training courses available on how to properly use an ATV. One day class. I would advise on finding one and taking it. You will become more comfortable with your ATV.

Wear a helmet. Wear a helmet. Wear a helmet.
I know, helmets are a pain in the...?.but very useful if you need it.

And I would advise to wear a good pair of goggles. They will protect your eyes. Keep from getting dirt, twigs and such out of your eyes.

I think having a small come-along or block and tackle along ?..so you can move it if you get stuck.

Do not ride it up the ramp when loading and unloading. Walk it up standing on the side.

Be careful.
Woodturner
 
I've heard of folks getting their ATV stolen while they were out hunting but not sure how often it actually happens. People get cars stolen as well, it sucks but that's the world we live in.

As mentioned, having a come-a-long and some rope can be a life saver if you ever get it off the trail (or if someone else is riding it and gets it off the trail). A tire repair kit with a cheap air compressor and plenty of plugs can also be a life saver. I've used both of those items on more than one occasion and without them I either wouldn't have made it back with the machine or the machine might have needed a new tire.

My ATV has a pull starter for if the battery goes dead, but my RZR doesn't so I pack one of the lithium jump starter things for it just in case.

The tool kit with your ATV should get you a long way toward fixing anything that isn't too difficult. On my RZR I also carry a cheap set of allen wrenches and star wrenches.

Keep it on designated trails and it can be fun. 90% of the time mine get used is for recreation, but I have used them for hunting occasionally when there was an ATV trail that got me a little farther into where I wanted to go or when the "road" was more like a trail and would have torn my pickup apart.
 
SLIME YOUR TIRE'S BEFORE YOU GO INTO THE WILD.
It will help with the little pokes here and there.

Put a sign on it that says "I can see you and I'm dialed to hit you is it worth your life".JK


"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
I dont know a lot about the ATV?s either BUT ALWAYS WEAR A HELMUT

Good luck

Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora
 
Hi Gator, is it Ditch Parrot season yet or has it passed already?

Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora
 
Headed back on the 9th of Nov.
Ditch parrots here we come.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
Hide a camera overlooking your atv. If you can't afford one, push for the State to outlaw cameras on waterholes then they will be cheaper by the dozen.
 
LOL Gator!
That's me and Mrs Sikora?s Anniversary

Joe

"Sometimes you do things wrong for so long you
think their right" - 2001
"I can't argue with honesty" - 2005
-Joe E Sikora
 
There is a trail head in Wyoming where you can drive a 4-wheeler a couple of miles past the end of the truck road. The first couple of times we backpacked in from there, we hauled the gear to the end of the wheeler trail and then took the wheeler back to the truck and parked in in the truck bed. After that, we just parked it behind a tree near the wheeler trail head and left it for up to 3-4 days and didn't have any problems so far.
 
>You fellers all must drive dodges?
>
>
>
>#livelikezac


It Ain't just that DW!

They don't wanna Scratch their 80K Pick-Up for a PISSCUTTER!

So Some of them Will Invest 25K-30K on a Side X Side Just for a PISSCUTTER!:D








I know so many people in so many places
They make allot of money but they got sad faces

It Ain't Easy being Me!:D:D:D
 

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