Best ATVs for Hunting

When used correctly, ATVs are a highly useful tool for the hunter. This is especially true when it comes to wild game retrieval. Where legal, ATVs can be used rather than larger vehicles to access tighter locations for retrieving a kill. An ATVs overall weight leaves a smaller footprint than that of an SUV, or even a UTV. And the ability to shift rider weight makes them more maneuverable on the off-camber side of a foothill.

It’s easy to dip an ATV in the latest flavor of Realtree camo and label it a hunting rig, so we took this list a few steps further to include ATVs equipped with additional features that benefit those who use ATVs for hunting.

While our list of favorite hunting ATVs is in no particular order, we will concede that the Polaris Sportsman XP 1000 Hunt Edition is the ultimate hunting rig. The only thing that could make it better is to include a new Winchester Model 70 .30-06 rifle with purchase. This ATV comes with front and rear brush guards, a gun scabbard, Kolpin Ratchet Claws, front and rear rack extenders, and 26-inch all-terrain tires supporting 11.5 inches of ground clearance. Game retrieval is made even easier with the included Polaris 3,500-pound-capacity winch and electric power steering, and this Sportsman comes standard with LED headlights and pod lighting. The XP 1000 Hunt Edition can handle a maximum payload of 575 pounds and includes 6 gallons’ worth of sealed personal storage, and you’ll never be down on muscle with 90 hp on tap. The XP 1000 will tow up to 1,500 pounds with its standard 1.25-inch receiver. The plastics are dipped in Polaris Pursuit Camo with matching cut and sew seat. Looking for more comfort? Hand and thumb warmers are also standard. At $15,499 MSRP, this model is not cheap, but it’s ready to roll without the need for aftermarket accessories.

Just like the XP 1000 Hunt Edition, the Polaris Sportsman 570 Hunt Edition includes everything you need, but in a smaller package that is more affordable. A Kolpin Gun Boot and mount are standard along with Kolpin Rhino Grips for carrying additional guns, bows, or extended tools. The 570 comes with 26-inch tires in black aluminum wheels, which contribute to 11.5 inches of ground clearance. Electric power steering is also very helpful when transporting heavy loads. A 2,500-pound Polaris winch is standard, as are front and rear brush guards and front and rear rack extenders. Plastic fenders are dipped in Polaris Pursuit Camo and comforts like hand and thumb warmers are part of the Hunt package. The 48-inch width makes for a stable ride, even when off-camber. The 570 engine packs 44 hp and plenty of torque. Payload capacity is 485 pounds including rider and gear. The Sportsman 570 will also tow a maximum of 1,350 pounds with the standard 1.25-inch receiver. MSRP for this machine is considerably lower than the Sportsman XP 1000 Hunt Edition at $11,999.

This model doesn’t come in camo, although Sage Green does blend well with trees, but what it does have going for it is payload capacity. The Sportsman 6x6 starts off as your basic Sportsman 570 ATV. Add on two more wheels for six-wheel-drive capability and support for the extended dump bed, and you’ve got a total payload capacity of 1,115 pounds. The Sportsman 6x6 is also a two-rider ATV, with stadium-style passenger seating and armrests. The bed comes equipped with anchors to strap down cargo, and is Lock & Ride equipped to easily add Polaris-branded hunting accessories. When hauling large loads, five-wheel hydraulic disc brakes are up to the task with help from standard engine-braking. The 6x6 comes with electric power steering, and will tow up to 1,500 pounds with its 2-inch receiver. Six gallons of dry storage are available under the front rack. The Sportsman 6x6 570 has an MSRP of $13,499.

Can-Am offers a variety of ATV choices for the hunting enthusiast. The Outlander Mossy Oak Edition can be had in your choice of a 38 hp single-cylinder Rotax engine, or a 48 hp Rotax V-twin. Both models are liquid-cooled, fuel injected, have Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering, and get selectable 2WD/4WD with Visco-Lok auto-locking front differential. The CVT transmission is equipped with engine-braking. This model also gets a lot of XT package goodies that are useful for hunting, like a 3,500-pound winch, heavy-duty front and rear bumpers, aluminum A-arm protectors, heated grips, handlebar wind deflectors, and steel racks that can handle a combined capacity of 360 pounds. There are 25-inch tires mounted on 12-inch cast aluminum wheels, bringing ground clearance up to 11.5 inches. Both engine sizes will also tow up to 1,300 pounds with the standard 2-inch receiver hitch. The plastic body is dipped in Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo. MSRP on the 450 is $9,499, or you can have the 570 V-twin for $10,199.

This model gets all of the same features included with the 450/570 Mossy Oak Edition, but it’s fitted with a larger 62 hp Rotax 650cc V-twin. Additional features include heavy-duty front and rear bumpers, full aluminum skid plates, A-arm and Torsional Trailing arm suspension p[rotectors, and 26-inch six-ply Carlisle ACT tires mounted on blacked-out cast aluminum wheels. Ground clearance is optimal at 12 inches, plus the 650 is 3 inches longer and 2 inches wider for added stability. Front and rear racks combined can handle up to 300 pounds, which is actually less than the 450/570, but it will tow 1,650 pounds. MSRP: $12,149.

Only available in Tundra Green, the Can-Am Outlander Max 6x6 DPS 650 is set up for two riders with high-comfort stadium-style passenger seating. The passenger seat can also be converted to a storage rack. The 62-horse V-twin is fitted to a CVT transmission with a high and extra-low range subtransmission with standard engine-braking. This model comes with a 4WD/6WD selectable drivetrain with a Visco-Lok auto-locking front differential. The 90-inch wheelbase is stout with 11 inches of available ground clearance. The front rack can handle 100 pounds and the rear cargo bed with side walls and a tailgate has a maximum capacity of 700 pounds. This model is equipped for heavy loads with Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering and 214mm disc (dual in front) brakes with hydraulic twin-piston calipers. Towing capacity is 1,650 pounds. This model does not include a winch, but it is prewired for easy winch installation. MSRP: $14,399.

Only available in Boreal Green, this is the most expensive hunting rig on this list. It’s powered by a 82 hp, 976cc Rotax V-twin and automatic CVT with high and extra low range subtransmission and standard engine-braking. The operator can select between 4WD and 6WD operation with Visco-Lok auto-locking front differential. Can-Am threw just about every premium feature it has at this 6x6, including Tri-Mode Dynamic Power Steering, arched double A-arm suspension with 11 inches of ground clearance, a 3,500-pound winch, quick-release sway bar, heavy-duty front bumper, stadium passenger seating that converts into a rack, and handlebar wind deflectors. The front rack has a 100-pound capacity, and the rear cargo box can handle a maximum of 700 pounds. The 6x6 XT 1000 will also tow up to 1,650 pounds. MSRP is $16,899.

The Grizzly is one of the more compact and highly maneuverable ATVs on this list, making it the perfect go-getter for retrieving game in a tight spot. The 686cc does not lack for power, and Yamaha’s Ultramatic transmission is possibly the most responsive CVT on the market today. The handlebar-mounted On-Command system provides selection between 2WD, limited-slip 4WD, and fully locked 4WD modes without ever letting go of the bars. Premium features include a factory-installed Warn VRX 25 winch, 27-inch Maxxis Zilla tires on aluminum wheels, 11.8 inches of ground clearance, four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, preload-adjustable shocks, and electric power steering. Front and rear racks can handle a combined total of 308 pounds and it will tow up to 1,322 pounds. MSRP: $11,499.

The Kodiak is so similar to the Grizzly that we occasionally have to look at the graphics to tell which is which. The differences are minor, but reduce the price by $1,200. To get to that number, Yamaha made small changes like going with a smaller tire and wheel package. The Grizzly got aggressive Maxxis Zilla tires in 27-inch size on 14-inch wheels, whereas the Kodiak 700 EPS SE received a middle-of-the-road 25-inch tire on 12-inch wheels. This change also gives the Kodiak an inch less ground clearance. On the flip side, the Kodiak shares the same engine, same highly responsive Ultramatic V-belt transmission, and gets the same On-Command three-way locking differential. Electric power steering is standard and it actually has a tighter turning radius than the Grizzly. Like the Grizzly, the Kodiak racks can handle up to 308 pounds of combined cargo, and it will tow 1,322 pounds. The Kodiak 700 EPS SE also comes with a factory-installed Warn VRX 25 winch. This Kodiak will hunt. MSRP: $10,299.

If you’re looking for value with premium features, CFMoto’s CForce 600 deserves your attention. Available in four colors, including True Timber Camo, the CForce 600 corrals 41 horses in its 580cc single-cylinder engine. It comes standard with four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes, variable rate electric power steering, a CVTech transmission with high/low range and engine-braking, selectable 2WD/4WD and 4WD with differential lock, 10.6 inches of ground clearance, LED lighting, and a 3,000-pound-capacity winch. Suspension is fully independent with double A-arms and preload-adjustable shocks. Rack capacity is on the light side at 175 pounds combined, and it will tow 873 pounds with its standard 2-inch receiver. MSRP is $6,999 or $7,349 in camo.

The CForce 800 XC gets all of the same bells and whistles as the CForce 600, but this is a two-rider ATV. It’s stuffed with an 800cc 65-horse V-twin, CVTech transmission with high/low range and engine-braking, and selectable 2WD/4WD and 4WD with differential lock. The 26-inch all-terrain tires are mounted on 14-inch cast aluminum wheels, bumping ground clearance up to 11.2 inches. The shocks include compression, rebound, and preload adjustment and brushless electric power steering is standard. Some of our favorite features include a factory-installed 3,000-pound winch, USB port, 12-volt power outlet for accessories, and hand guards. The racks will support 175 pounds combined, and a 2-inch standard receiver can tow up to 873 pounds. MSRP is 8,999 or $9,349 in camo.

Here are a few more ATVs worth mentioning that are excellent hunting rigs. They just don’t have as many premium features beneficial to hunting, but that’s easily solved with aftermarket accessories.

Suzuki KingQuad 750AXi Power Steering SE Camo

Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon 4x4 Automatic DCT EPS Deluxe

Kawasaki Brute Force 750 4x4i EPS Camo

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