One Wild Ride: Fishing Alaska By ATV

fieldandstream-editor — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 09:45:00 -0500

The New Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI: This ATV is Unmatched

fieldandstream-editor — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 05:00:00 -0400

How To: Trick Out Your ATV for Turkey Season

fieldandstream-editor — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 04:15:00 -0500

SO YOU WANT TO CREATE the best hunting quad money can buy, huh? No problem. We've equipped this 2006 Yamaha Kodiak 450 4x4 Auto with the pieces and parts that make this one tough hunter. This one will take you deep into the woods and haul your trophy back home!

1. Moose Camo Tape Kit A roll of camo tape can be invaluable for hunters. This kit by Moose allows users to add that extra bit of stealth to nearly any surface. A kit includes four rolls of cloth tape that are six inches wide by 12 feet long with adhesive backing. One kit will typically cover the bodywork on an ATV, or use it to disguise accessories. Kits are available in five popular camo patterns. ($62; www.mooseutilities.com)

2. Otter Outdoors Super X ST Trailer With this Super X ST trailer from Otter Outdoors, hunters don't have to worry about overloaded racks. The tilt bed makes loading and unloading a snap, and the olive drab color blends into the surroundings. With a cargo capacity of 1,500 pounds and 20 cubic feet of space, there is plenty of room for whatever you need to haul. ($445; www.otteroutdoors.com)

3. Benz Silent Rider Don't announce to your prey that you're coming. The Silent Rider exhaust can quiet muffler noise by as much as 60 percent without a significant power drop. Installation couldn't be simpler: remove the existing end cap, bolt on the flange, and then slip on the silencer. Hanger bars secure the exhaust to the rear rack. The entire process takes about five minutes. ($182 including bolt-on adaptor; www.atvsilencer.com)

4. Yamaha Gun Boot Yamaha's system is particularly easy to install and use. The plate mounts with three U-bolts. Once the mounting bracket is secure, the cradle position requires no tools to adjust. Upon reaching the desired hunting spot, a hunter can remove the entire hard case or simply carry a firearm with the slide-out soft liner. ($141; www.yamaha-outdoors.com)

5. Kolpin Seat Cover A little camouflage goes a long way, and the big, black seat on an ATV can really stand out. This Mossy Oak Break Up seat cover from Kolpin helps disguise an ATV sitting in the woods. As a bonus, it also provides some additional gel padding for those long treks deep into the field. It's elasticized around the entire opening and has hook-and-loop straps that secure it to the seat pan. One size fits most. ($23; www.kolpin.com)

6. RAM Mount GPS Mount As great as GPS is, it doesn't do much good if it's packed away in a cargo bag or pocket. This GPS mounting system from RAM clips to the handlebar of any ATV and provides limitless positioning possibilities. It holds tight, even over the roughest terrain. ($34 (varies by GPS model); www.rammount.com)

7. Garmin GPSMap60c Going deep into unfamiliar woods without a guide is dangerous. This Garmin GPS has a full color display and 50 megs of data storage in a rugged, waterproof case. The unit stores 1,000 waypoints, so hunters can mark all their favorite spots. It utilizes battery or 12v accessory socket power. ($450; www.garmin.com)

8. Kolpin ATV Pack Whether you're packing an expensive spotting scope or a case of ammunition, the Kolpin ATV Pack will keep it secure and dry. The bag has closed-cell foam padding inside and a waterrepellent exterior, along with Mud Guard zippers. Best of all, it clips off the front rack and convverts to a backpack for carrying to a treestand or hunting spot that can only be accessed on foot. The pack is available in Mossy Oak Break Up, Realtree Hardwoods, or black. ($138; www.kolpin.com)

9. Moose Hand-Held Spotlight There are lots of rackmounted spotlights, but this handheld model from Moose boasts 250,000 candlepower for tracking game in the early morning or late evening hours. It stows easily, and the 10-foot cord plugs into any 12v accessory outlet. ($30, plus $24 for a power port if your machine isn't equipped; www.mooseutilities.com)

10. Yamaha Overfenders Nobody wants to be wet and dirty when hunting. Overfenders help keep mud and water thrown up by the tires under the ATV, not on top of it or the operator. The fenders are molded to fit specific ATVs and install easily with hand tools. You will have to drill holes in the existing fenders to install them, however. ($110; www.yamaha-outdoors.com)

11. Warn 2.5ci Winch and Accessory Kit A good winch can be an indispensable tool in the woods: It can help hunters get over obstacles, move fallen trees or obstructions, and even lift game into a cargo trailer. This Warn 2.5ci winch has plenty of pulling power-it's rated at 2,500 pounds. The Winch accessory kit includes two shackles, a snatch block, and a pair of tree-trunk protectors, all in a black nylon case that straps to an ATV rack. We also keep Warn's synthetic rope on hand to extend the distance the winch can reach by 50 feet. (Winch $448, Accessory Kit $107, Rope $128; www.warn.com)