What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

To telll ya the truth I think the use of them as a hunting tool has gotten out of hand. I see a great lack of respect for both written and un written rules andin some casesdestruction of the place we all love.

In my state it is illegal to drive any vehical on any CFR (private land that can be used by everyone), but every year I see more and more roads being cut into CFR lands by quads. WHY, most of these sections have great road neworks.

I dont know if it is a law on the books but I have always just thought that if there wasnt a road there you didnt make one, on any land other then your own. But time and time again I see new two tracks being made by bikes.

The quad distruction that realy gets me is when they driveover a plowed in road and nock the bearm down. People put time and money (taxes)in to these roads and they are a great place for alot of animals to find food. They are plowed in for a reason. Most of them have been planted with clover to feed wild life, great idea, why reck it, just to save on alittle walk time.

Ihave seen a guy drive behind his bird dog wait for a point on a woodcock drive up and shoot it, vary illegal. (he wasnt disable in anyway). Not only is itaginst the law but it is just plain wrong.

I thik quads and other orvs should be limiter toroads just like autos. And violators should beshoot.God gave us legs we should use them.

Just to clear things up, I dont have anythig aginst anyonewho uses them with respect to the land and others.Like a hammer they are a great toolbut I know when it is time to put the hammer awayand usefiner tools.

Lets hear it.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I hear ya man. They have made all kinds of trails and roads up at my parents house. I have permission to hunt and walk to this private land which adjoins to the national forest. I mainly use it to get to the N.F. Anyway, they have been forbidden to ride on the private land but they still do. They ride on the gov't land too where the wardens have pushed up "humps" to keep cars out. The wardens cut down many trees to keep them from riding on these paths. This lasted for a while but that just gave 4 wheelers a reason to ride up there and cut firewood.

It really gets me when they ride during hunting season. Its not hunting 4 wheelers either...its the blasters and the other racing ones that wake up the dead.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I agree...I don't like them in the woods period. Public land in IA is off limits to them so they don't impact my life much. Hunting is walking and doing it on your own...although I have no problem with horses for elk hunting..keep the motors though out of the woods.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

Too many hunting videos and hunting shows have made people believe they have to have a 4-wheeler in order to hunt. Very few people that hunt actually need one of these ATV's. Most of them are purchases made because the customer thinks he needs one. In reality they are noisy, cost too much and wont go some places that I've used horses and pack animals to go.
A lot of land owners I know have banned them on their property for people that lease the land. Too many people have abused the privlege.
All legal issues aside, they are by and large an unnessary, wasteful expense.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I completely agree with you on the whole driving the quad into the wood and tearing the place up especially the ones with chains on the wheels. I do own a quad and use it for hunting but i respect the land that im on and i stick to the roads that the rancher has already made with his truck, so if the animal isnt near a road it looks like im slapping the harness on and startin to pull. And really if your always bootin around on the quad out where you hunt all your doing is tearing up the land that the animals feed on and if you tear it up with your quads then there is really no reason for the animals to stick around now is there.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

just like any other tool, used properly and for the right job there handy;), i mean ever spent a day runnin fences[:@], but give an idiot anything and he'll figure out a way to mess it up for everybody[:@]

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

For me it is a tool and required, as i don't own any horses;). Hauling a moose or elk out of the forest without one would be near impossible, at the very least without spoiling meat. I don't use the quad to hunt off but merely a way to transport game and gear to remote areas where most folks don't like to venture. I honestly don't know that I'd attempt huntinglarger gamewithout a quad inmy province(at least the areas I hunt). Well unless you consider driving up and down logging trails in the truck more sportsman like?

I agree respecting land &nature is required. How many times have you seen or picked up litter by the walking folk?? Some people just don't get it but that doesn't mean we should all be painted with the same brush!

I see no problems with using an atv if common sense is used.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I don't own one but see no reason to not use them as a tool to get gear and or animals out of the bush. I am against using them to transport a hunter to the hunting spot though unless the hunter is disabled.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I personally have no use for one period. However this is a free country and if the laws allow their use and they are used responsibly that is fine wth me. I would say that most people use theirs responsibly but the 10% that don't put a bad taste in everyones mouth.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I personally dont use one while hunting except for getting game out of the bottoms. We ha two major trails and that is all we stick to. Drag you kil to the trail and get it out. Also we use them for plots. Other than that it is walking to and from stands. Just like anything people get out of hand with thema and ruin it for the guys who use them as a tool and not a rec. vehicle. I could live with out ours but it sure makes the 1.5 to 2.0 mile drag alot easier on our Illinois lease. I wanted to put a stop to them altogether except for game retrievel but voted down buy our lease members. Some of the guys in our lease forgot how to walk to a stand.

Jason

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

i think they are very useful for dragging out game and food plots. I feel that during the off sreaon, they are alright to ride around if u stay on the basic main trail, or maybe a few lil ones. Outside of hunting, i feel that they are extremley fun and i love mine. but during hunting season is when i get really ticked when i hear them and im in my stand - especailly the blasters an d loud ones. i have a kodiak 450 so mine is pretty quite, but i still wouldnt use it to get to the stand during hunting times. but if they are used correctly and on your own land (where no1 else will be hunting) i feel that getting game out is much easier and less stressful - especailly if there is a mile or two walk. last year i was in my stand and i saw a nice doe i was going to shoot approaching me, but right when she got into shooting range, FRUMMMMMMM FRUMMM FRUMMMi hear and here comes ths blaster haulin a** up the trail (it was the neighbors riding up the mutual power line). and of course, there goes the deer. i think they should beused correctly and they are great tools - im sure they are great for some older guys that walking has become a small adventure for. but just my opinion.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

Like anything else, it a TOOL! It can be used or abused! Where they are legal, and used properly, there is no problem.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

If I didn't have a ATV I couldn't go hunting because I'm "STUCK" in a wheelchair! Now if I could walk,the quad would stay home. Some people are just lazy I guess...

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I agree with most everything on here to some degree except for this statement (depending on how you interpret it). If you mean driving right up to the spot you want to sit for the day, I agree. But if you mean driving into a general hunting area, then I stronly disagree. I like to use quads to get back on some roads to get to a spot that I want to start walking. It's no different than driving a truck there; it's just a more effecient means of transportation and it keeps me from having to put unecessary wear on my $30k pickup.

I also want to point one more thing out. If ridden properly, ATV's do not damage the land that much even if you do go offroad. I am stronly opposed to the use of ATV's offroad on any type of public land, but on private land it is not that bad provided you have permission. My job requires me to ride offroad nearly every day, and we have very little impact on the land because we stick to high ground, we avoid wet spots and high grass, and we don't ride in the same tracks that the other machines have made. We also avoid going up or down steep hills where the tires might spin or lock up if you're going down a steep hill. One good rainstorm wipes away almost all evidence that we have been in the area. So if you have permission to drive offroad and you down an animal that is a little too far away to drag, I see no problem with heading off the beaten path to get the animal.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I have never used a quad while hunting and probably never will, but if a hunter is disabled or getting a deer out fine...Most riders have absolutley NO idea how much game is affected. The whole 'they get used to it' is insane. Sure deer get used to living in a city but given an alternative between land that is being used regulary by four wheelers and adjacent land that isn't you know where they will go. 'Getting used to' the noise means game stops running after a half mile instead of a mile. What I find really amusing are the people who think you can drive 100 yards from your stand and still see just as many deer there as if you had walked all the way in. Sound TRAVELS people, that doesn't work unless you are hunting next to a highway...In remote areas you get a quad within half a mile of your hunt and you're decreasing your chances. I have been there and seen game run when one comes by 400 yards away.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I use a 4 wheeler all year around my place. After 12 years, the deer stop to watch me go by. I am not saying that it doesn't have some effect on game, but I am seeing and killing above average deer for my area every year. I do believe that being on a place every day does condition the deer toATVs versus only having them on a place right before and during hunting season. I personally know guys that don't allow ATVs on their places, BUT they don't think twice about sighting in their rifles where they intend to hunt. That is taboo on my place; NO shooting except at game. I guess we all have our quirks.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

Like every tool, there is a time and place for them. I own 5 of them myself and use them every day. When I bait bear I typically put on 40-45 miles in a day. Without my ATVs I would not be able to have the sucessfull bear hunting operation that I do. When used properly, they are very useful and un intrusive.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

My own quad sits at our motel while we are hunting elk and moose.It doesn't move until the animal is on the ground,but then it proves to be a very useful tool.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I never see quads in our woods in upstate New York.They are illegal on public land.Out in Idaho where I hunt every year I see plenty of them on gated roads that they are not supposed to be on.I understand the appeal and the practicality once you have shot an animal,but it gets old when you have hoofed in a number of miles and some guy goes cruising by you on their Quad.
There are some guys that stay next to the place we rent out there who hunt off them.Their quad,binoculars and a flat shooting rifle,they kill big deer every year.Nice guys but not a way I want to hunt.They can't believe we walk as far as we do.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

joeRE, Your right alot of guys think deer get used to them and that is not true. I watched a nice 3.5 yr old buck and 3 does last season totally turn inside out when one of our lease member came along on his quad.

Jason

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I think ATV's are ok to an extent. I have aATV and like anything if used properly should not bean issue. There just seems to be alot of them being used in areas that walking would be a great alternative.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

If it is legal and no laws are being broken, why cant a guy use a quad? I just finshed doing an article on this subject on spooking deer while you go to your stand. I have numerous stands that are half a mile to two miles off any road. Walking to these stands would be impossable due to water and swamps. If I could not have use of a quad or argo, I would be forced to hunt the hayfeilds along the roads just like everyone else. As far as spooking the deer, I have proven since 1995 that walking into stands spook more deer than quads. This is not to provoke an arguement it is facts on my own findings.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

How about the guy that walks to his stand and then is bombarded by fleets of motor vehicals. Why not shoot from the four wheelers? Why not shoot from your truck? I don't know that spooking deer is the issue. I see it more as a weakening of fair chase hunting. I can see using them to haul equipment in before season and hauling game out. Any further use just invites more abuse. JMO.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I would think James that your opinions that you stated would be a good reason to use a quad, and get away from being bombarded by fleets of vehicles. Getting acsess to property is getting harder all the time I know, and setting up a stand to watch other hunters drive by must be discouraging. But if you can walk to your stand so can a lot of other hunters, whats the difference if your bombarded by hunters on quads or hunters on foot. All areas are different but where I live if i didnt use a quad I wouldnt be able to hunt unpressured whitetails.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I try to be open minded to other opinions on these kinds of topics, but I am really not understanding this comment. How does riding an ATV to my stand weaken fair chase hunting?

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

Did you ever hear of give a man an inch and they will take a mile? It may start out by riding them just to the stand but soon they will be road hunting with them and even chasing game with them. I have seen it happen again and again. Give someone a break and a bunch more will abuse it. Its not a big deal to me because I hunt my own land and other private land as there is no Public land in my unit. However, friends of mine do hunt public land and they don't need any further complications.

I can live with their use for legal purposes and if they are legal where you hunt, then use them. They are only legal for game retieval where I hunt and I have never used one for that myself. Also they are legal where I hunt for Handicapped hunters and I am all for that as well.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

James
I am with you on the use and abuse of atvs on PUBLIC land, but the "weakening fair chase" is still a stretch for me. As far as chasing game, I don't really care whether you walk or ride atvs;any method of "hunting" that pushes deer toward a shooter will never be considered "fair chase". I apologize for these statements being somewhat off topic.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

Just curious, but did you count the deer you spooked either way and thats how you came to your conclusion? If you did, that probably means the deer ran from the quad and its noise before they were within sight of you (seen it happen many times while on stand). Then you will see less riding. You usually see or hear every deer spooked while walking. If you had some other system you measured spooked deer by I would like to know about it because you may be right, and I haven't experimented.

ps...there are things that are legal but sure not ethical.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

The interesting thingabout ethics is,what one person considers ethical,others may not,and vice versa.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

agreed...meaning personal ethics, and you can't judge someone else by yours....but societal values are what I am talking about, wider values ie share, dont be rude, etc which every one of us can be judged by.
Sorry I will shut up now I already hear the snores...:D:D:D

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

JoeRe the article I am talking about is now on my website in the forum page. I would copy and paste it here but it takes a bit a space. If you read it it will make sence and it will work for anyone. I have seen this method of getting in and out of stands work for years now.

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

It sounds like everyone is on the same page, for the most part. If we all agree on this who are the ones doing all the damage?

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

I guess it depends on what your definition of damage is. Possible non hunting Atv'ers??

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

No sense in anyone gettin their shorts too bound up about it.

For alot of hunters with older ages and not being as mobile as a kid anymore, an ATV is great to get in/out.

They help with hauling deer out too. They are great for getting stuff done around the farm - food plots, hauling in tillers, mowers, stands, lumber, etc.... Last year I used mine to pull my trailer in and arouns the woods, thru the creek, etc. With about 2000 lbs of gear to put in food plots.

5 guys @ 225 - 250 lbs each = 1125 - 1250 lbs
2 tillers @ 100 = 200
1 mower @ 75 = 75
2 weed whackers 10 = 20
2 chain saws 10 = 20
fuel cans 35= 70
BIG cooler of "drinks" 100 = 100
trailer 500 = 500
2110 - 2235 lbs

My Yamaha is rated to pull something like 1120 or 1180 lbs. but pulled the load nicely. Anyone want to volutnteer to haul that stuff in on their back - don't think so.

We didn't tear up any trails or fields. The only things torn up were by saws and weed wackers.

When were out on the farm doing these chores, there's always something that is forgotten which requires a trip back to the barn. The 4 wheeler makes quick work of those needs. We worked in teams. One clearing, one tilling and me doing the hard work - spreading andsetting the seed.

As far as hunting with ATVs. We have 160 acres to cover and usually just use the ATVs tohaul deerand guys out of the woods. But in 2004, I rode out to a new stand & parked the ATV in abrushy fenceline a half hour before dawn. At dusk a nice buck came across the fields, cutting the fenceline at the ATV,actually causing him to have to go around it. He never flinched at it. Kept coming in on me till he met "Old Man Brenneke".
The ATVs are also great for a quick run to dump a bucket of guts.

We haven't seen any noticeable negatives since ATVs have been introduced to the farm.

I guess I stand "6 of one half a dozen of the other".

RE: What are your thoughts on Quads.
 

Uncle Matt you hit the nail on the head, these young kids will find out as you older, your body starts to hate you for all the stuff we did to it when we were KIDS. Lots of replacement parts, chest zippers and so on! Rich K.