Big Game Hunting
Colorado is a natural wonderland with dramatic scenery and impressive seasons. With its beautiful mountainous terrain comes the opportunity for big game hunting. Hunting with a UTV or ATV can be much easier, and for people with physical disabilities, it can be the only way they can get out.
Read on to learn our tips for hunting with an ATV or UTV. If you need accessories for your ATV or UTV, or you want to find a new model that’s better suited for hunting, stop by Peak Honda World. We’re located near Denver, Colorado and we proudly serve the areas of Littleton, Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, and Centennial, Colorado.
Follow Local Regulations & Be Courteous
Unless you’re hunting on your property, you’ll be hunting on either public land or private land. For this reason, it’s important to be courteous to the other hunters around you and to follow the local regulations. Always follow the restrictions that come with your specific hunting tag (which you should obtain prior to your hunt). If you’re on public land, make sure you’re aware of firearm laws. Make sure you know where you’re entering if you cross property lines. Leave any gates as you found them too. If you see other hunters, try to leave the area and find your own spot.
Scout the Location Ahead of Time
If you want to have a successful hunt, you’ll need to scout the area for a good hunting spot ahead of time. Animals such as deer, elk, and moose tend to follow specific migration patterns. They’re also drawn to certain areas that contain the types of forage that they prefer. Sometimes these animals will be driven out of one place and into another due to stress from development, motor vehicles, or environmental problems.
Familiarizing yourself with all of these factors and learning how to predict your game’s response to them is what hunting is all about. There are maps available which can give you some valuable information on these factors. But the best way to verify that there will be game in the area is to actually go to the area before your hunt. An ATV or UTV is one of the best ways to scout vast land when you’re trying to find a good hunting location.
Bring the Right Gear
Having the right gear makes all the difference on a hunt. You probably don’t hunt with an old 18th century-style blunderbuss, so why confine your other gear to that century? Of course, your ATV or UTV is a great place to start. A winch is also extremely helpful when hunting for big game. You can use the winch to turn over large animals or even pull them onto flat ground when it’s time to field dress them. Some LED lights on the front will give you more visibility if you have to head out when it’s still dark outside. Pick up a rifle scabbard if you want to protect your rifle and optics while you ride. A GPS is key to finding your way back should you get lost.
Leave Enough Time to Dress Your Prize and Get Back Home
As the day drags on, it will be tempting to want to stay out “just a little bit longer” to spot an animal but it can cause compounding problems. If you stay out longer and actually do shoot an animal, you’ll need to have enough time to field dress the animal, load it into your ATV or UTV, and then drive it back to your home or camp. All of that can be very time-consuming. It’s best to be disciplined in regards to your schedule and go home when the sun starts heading down.
Are you planning a big game hunt this fall? Stop by Peak Honda World to check out our selection of ATVs and UTVs to help you on your hunting trip. We’re located near Denver, Colorado, in Littleton, and we proudly serve the areas of Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, and Centennial, Colorado.