[sremington]

What is your opinion on hunting using ATVs...

Check out today's blog about it here:
http://mainehuntingtoday.com/b2/index.php/all/2005/10/24/are_atvs_taking_the_hunt_out_of_hunting

 

[Ithaca37]

Hunters should get up off their A** and walk. ATVs are noisy and destructive.

 

[Lil John]

ATVs are a waste of time (imo). The only use I can think of maybe, would be retrieving your game from the woods. Since I always drag my deer to a road I would have no use for it deer hunting.
I have been pointing out to my hunting partner for years, that you rarely see deer in a truck with an ATV in tow. Coincidence? I think not.

 

[Moose]

I got an ATV earlier this year, I've yet to use it while hunting. I use it while working on food plots, clearing trails, setting up stands etc. I can never see a day when I ride it to and from a stand to hunt. You can bet when I kill one if its in an area where I can use an ATV to take it out you can bet I will. I've dragged many of deer out and I suspect I'll drag a few more out but I'll work smarter not harder.

 

[Earlthepearl]

Some of us who have bad knees, ankles, etc., depend on things like ATVs to get us out there to hunt. "Gett off our lazy butts", If only we were so F****** lucky. ATVs are a great way for some of us to even be able to get out and enjoy the woods.
Where did you say you hunt? :evil:

 

[Ithaca37]

If you have a disability, then I have no problem with the use of an ATV. However, my expenrience with ATV riders is very poor. Considering the fact that most hunters don't venture lees than a quarter mile into the woods, there is no real need for an ATV, unless as you claim, you have a disability.

 

[Earlthepearl]

It is true that most hunters don't venture far........I used to Guide, so I know how most hunters are. I like to get back in there, so the only way is with an ATV. Then venture from that as far as I can depending on how body parts feel that day. Then sit and hunt. Most times calling coyotes. Now it will be calling for deer and coyotes.
I know what you mean by ATV damage, I see it all the time. Crotch rockets and young people with no respect for peoples lands. I like the tred lightly Idea. I also see people with Pickups doing more damage in those areas Than an atv can do. Ripping threw the mudholes....back and forth, then the atvs get the blame. I even took pictures of trucks doing the damage one time when the landowner was saying the atvs were doing it. He then went after the pickups. Blocked those areas so the trucks couldn't get in, but left room for atvs. A good thing. Now only atvs and horses and bikes are allowed in this area. You can't blame it all on atvs. People using atvs have to monitor the area and report others who destroy the land and ruin it for us who try not to.

 

[Ithaca37]

Fair enough.

 

[sremington]

I am not opposed to people using them if they are disabled or are enjured in some way. More power to them.

I just don't like to see able bodied people resorting to ATV's simply because they are lazy.

 

[Canerod]

OK, my turn on the soapbox. ATV riders are as diverse as any other group, with responsible citizens and [email protected]# Scratchin' Morons. I personally don't use one, but that's just me. It's like anything else, it's how you use it. I've dropped deer hell and gone from the nearest road and have had gracious individuals with ATV's offer to skid it out for me. I've also had to dive off the trail when a rider wouldn't swerve or slow down. You can't lump ATV users as a group and hold the responsible users liable for the action of A*#@oles. I've met some of the nicest people on a 4-wheeler and I've met some that the filter on the gene pool somehow missed.

Just remember, it's legal and allowed in most areas. Judge on an individual basis, the actions and attitudes of ATV'ers.

Kevin Little
Rodmaker
Registered Maine Guide

 

[Ithaca37]

I've met some that the filter on the gene pool somehow missed.

:lol: :lol: Sounds like the ones I've seen.

 

[Earlthepearl]

I have to admit..........I also have met some real asses on them, but I have also met some of the nice people. I like to think I try to be one of the nice ones. I'd be one of the ones to offer to drag your deer out, but i've met plenty who wouldn't be bothered.
They sure do help those of us with disabilities get out there though.
I'f I didn't have an atv today.......I wouldn't of got to shoot the coyote that was following the does with young. Only got one of the dam things though, but i'll keep wacking them as I see them.
Now if you see idiots on atvs doing things they shouldn't be doing....write down their sticker number and report them. This is the only way they have of policing them. They may not get ticketed, but sometimes a warning from a warden will do the trick.

 

[sremington]

I know people with atv's and most of them are real nice. I think atvs are great when you are atv-ing...

When you are hunting you shouldn't be using an atv unless of course you are disabled. Just my thoughts on it. Dragging a deer with one is a good idea. I just think while seeking deer during a hunt you should be walking or sitting and not combining the 2 sports.

 

[Earlthepearl]

To date....this being the 5th day of hunting season in Maine for firearms. I have seen 17 deer while on the atv. Most have been does. It's still to early to shoot a deer. The deer just stand there and look at you............ till you shut the atv off. I guess i'll have to leave the atv running then get off to shoot. Maybe next week i'll shoot something????
Oh .... I did get another coyote. Hunting from an atv does work. Just remember you can't shoot one from the atv.....unless you have a disability permit that allows you to. I don't have one, so I have to get off it.
Oh I live in southern Maine........where we still have deer.
Not many Moose, but Deer, and Turkeys up the ass.
:lol: :lol:

 

[Earlthepearl]

Got me another coyote today........... thanks to being able to use a ATV to get out there to hunt.
Was sitting on the atv having a coffee in a pit when the thing came out about 100 yards with a rabbit in it mouth. Got off the atv and bang......... Dead coyote.......
Ya know........... a 243 cuts them just about in half.........
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[stweedie]

I view hunting on an ATV like I do "heater hunting". I do a little of both. I heater hunt a little more while bird hunting, and prefer to be in the woods hunting deer, but I do log some miles looking for tracks in fresh snow. My father's idea of hunting is going for an hour ride in the morning and an hour ride in the afternoon. He spends his time at camp mainly cooking and playing cards. As long as he's enjoying his time I'm fine with it. The 12th heaviest deer in the state was shot by a heater hunter. It was a younger kid and an adult and they spotted a big buck and the kid got out and whacked him with a .243 . I shot my deer while driving the logging roads in the snow looking for a track. People get there deer like that every year. My take is that as long as you enjoy your hunting time (however that may be) than good for you.

 

[Cap'n Jack Duggins]

Well, I guess I had better jump in with my opinion.
I hunt from treestands close to the road (sometimes very close), and stands as far away from others as I can get. This means I have to walk or ride a half mile or more and I do NOT like to climb into a stand dripping with sweat just to freeze within a half an hour.
Sometimes I will float into an area with a canoe if I can, but I will gladly take the wheeler when the walk in screws up my hunt.
I live just south of Augusta so I like to hunt out of the way places to avoid the chance of some dipstick fowling up my hunt. ATV's are tools just like your hunting knife and your rifle or shotgun. Just have to figure out when you need that tool and where!

 

[Earlthepearl]

You got it right dude. :roll: :roll:

 

[aroostookbasser]

IN Comes a County Boy!!!!!!!!!!!! Up here the only way to get back into big woods is on the back of a 4 wheel drive,mule,moose or an ATV.

I have less of a problem with an ATV rider shooting birds from his ride than I do the heater hunters cruising the roads for birds. The ATV's are usually on off-road trails. The heater hunters are on public roads!!!!!
If the ATV is stopped I don't see much difference whether he is on it or standing next to it.

 

[kenton6]

Unfortunately the law sees a difference