A bare ATV or Side-by-Side is great, but accessories take it to the next level.
I had no business owning a new ATV. I knew how to ride them perfectly; I grew up racing motocross and covered hundreds of trail miles on a friend’s machine. Money was the problem. I was a second-year schoolteacher, and my bride and I were expecting our first child. Thank God for financing.
Looking back, that Kodiak 700 was one of the best purchases I have ever made. The ATV still runs like a top, and I have found countless uses. My machine has been the lifeblood of many outdoor missions, from elk hunting to setting pronghorn blinds on the prairie to land management chores for whitetails.
This year, my Kodiak 700 is showing some age. It should; I have used and abused it. However, I’m not ready to pull the trigger on a new model. I plan to tune up and accessorize my favorite hunting machine with some new upgrades.
You may need to do the same. If so, here are the best ATV and side-by-side accessories for hunters.
A winch can take care of you in a pinch.
Moose Utility Division 4,500-LB. Aggro Winches
An ATV/side-by-side without a top-tier winch is like a long-range rifle without a high-power scope. You need a winch, and Moose Utilities gives you plenty of options. We prefer the go big or go home 4.5000-LB w/SYNE RP MSE at $419.95. IP67 waterproof sealing and a black powder-coated finish boost longevity, and the kit comes with a dash-mounted rocker switch, corded wire remote, and more.
Example of Use: Off-road riding comes with challenges. I’ve been stuck far from home several times. It’s no fun. When you have a winch, getting unstuck is easy. If you don’t, you may be in for a long walk home. Another reason to add a winch is if you can drive to your downed animal. Many areas out West have specified ATV/UTV recovery areas, and though you may not be able to use your machine to drive to camp or the next ridge, you often can use it to recover game during specified times in certain locales. A winch makes moving a big bull elk around much more straightforward.
The Mathews Phase4 33 Built, Tested, and Reviewed [Bow Build]
Protect your ride with a good cover.
Trailer-Able ATV Covers
If there’s one thing I regret, it’s the lack of cosmetic care I gave my Kodiak 700. The seat is worn and cracked, and the plastics are faded. Weather, especially the sun, takes its toll on machines. Cover yours with Moose Utilities Trailer-Able ATV Covers. Ranging in price from $102.95 to $121.95, these water-resistant covers protect against rain, dust, and dirt, and a duo of quick-adjustable straps and side-release buckles hold the cover on. Four tie-down locations promise extra security, and the multi-use carry bag ensures compact storage.
Example of Use: If you don’t own a garage or covered outdoor unit, a cover is the next best thing. It’s also an excellent idea to cover your ATV during transport and when not in use when on the hunt or recreating.
Don't make or purchase sketchy ramps. It isn't worth an ATV or Side-by-Side accident.
Arched Folding Aluminum Ramp
Super-light and built for years of use, the bar-style surface on Moose’s Arched Folding Aluminum Ramp ensures excellent traction. The ramp comes in a set of two, and EZ rubber grip rests grab your truck tailgate or trailer and won’t let go. Nylon straps suck the ramps down tight. Weather resistant and priced at $279.95, these ramps have a 1,200-pound load capacity.
Example of Use: One of the worst ATV accidents I have ever witnessed was because the owner skimped on loading ramps and built his own. The wood was weathered and broke while driving his ATV up the homemade ramps. It wasn’t good. First, he should have been doing something other than riding his ATV up the ramps, and second, he should have invested in quality aluminum ramps. With solid go-anywhere folding ramps, you get undeniable durability and easy loading.
Protect your eyes. You only have two.
The Best Cellular Trail Camera Features
Qualifier Agroid Goggle
Not made for your ATV or side-by-side but for you, these Qualifier Agroid Goggles are $21.95 and boast a flexible, durable molded goggle frame with venting. The polycarbonate lens is scratch-resistant and anti-fog coated. The molded face frame holds tight but is comfortable, and the large eye port provides maximum vision.
Example of Use: I’m a sunglasses guy who often uses my expensive sunglasses when riding. This is a bad idea. I broke two pairs by running them over after they fell off my face, and I find sunglasses uncomfortable under a helmet. I’m a slow learner. A good pair of riding goggles are essential for any rider.
A tough, well-built pull-behind trailer is a must-have.
Poly Swivel Dump Trailer
Though I don’t own this model, I will tell you having a tow-behind dump trailer is a must-have item. I use mine for hanging treestands, doing food plot work, and chores around the house. My next trailer will be the Poly Swivel Dump Trailer is $769.95. Capable of hauling 1,250 pounds, this 12.5-cubic-foot heaped capacity trailer has a 60-degree dump angle, and the pivoting hitch allows the cart to adjust to uneven terrain. The 16″ x 7.5″ x 8″ tires and the pass-through undercarriage give the user 12 inches of ground clearance. The cart body swivels to dump anywhere within a 100-degree radius, and a foot pedal attached to the frame makes every job easy.
To mount your Moose Spreader onto any vehicle with a 1-1/4 or 2-inch receiver box, grab one of Moose Utilities’ Spreader Receiver Hitches at $165.95-$193.95.
Example of Use: Last fall, I dug a pond on my whitetail dirt. I needed to haul the dug-up dirt to a food plot to fill in uneven areas, and my dump trailer made this chore easy. You will find so many uses for your dump trailer you will wonder how you got along without it.
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Use a good spreader to plant some grub for the local deer herd.
Spreader
You will applaud the 12V motor with variable-speed control and easy on/off switch on this hold-up-to-145-pound Spreader at $799.95 from Moose Utilities. Fitted with a 2.2-cubic-foot poly hooper and stainless-steel radial six-blade fan, this unit will spread seed, dry granular fertilizers, pesticides, and ice-melting materials. Like most ATV/side-by-side accessories, you’ll find numerous uses for the Spreader. You can throw the seed from 5 to 45 feet, and it comes with mounting brackets.
Example of Use: When the weeds are killed and the dirt is worked, spreading the seed on your hidden food plot honey hole will be simple and easy, and because you can control the speed and spread width, you will spend less money on seed and grow a plot the deer will love.
A sprayer can be used for numerous things, including caring for plots.
25-Gallon Sprayers
With full drain-out capability via a molded-in drain port, cap, and tether, and a 5-inch fill lid with tether, filling, and draining the 25-gallon corrosion-resistant poly tank on Moose’s 25-Gallon Sprayers is ultra-easy. The tank features large wrap horns for efficiently storing the 15-foot wand hose with the attached 18-inch lever-hand wand. The wand has an adjustable pattern tip, and the tank has gallon and liter volume indicators. Get it for $278.95-$332.95.
Example of Use: From killing weeds in the backyard to spraying PlotStart on your newly planted kill plot, you won’t run out of uses for this 25-gallon sprayer.
There you have it; everything you need to protect your ATV/side-by-side, help you get projects done, and more. The more accessories you have, the more uses you will find for them.
New Hunting and Land Management ATVs and UTVs
