Rules for Safe and Ethical Operation When Hunting With ATVs
All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are special-purpose vehicles that require careful, responsible handling and good judgment.
- They're useful for traveling into back country, but they can damage the environment if used recklessly. They also require training and practice to handle them safely in rough terrain.
- Studies show that the majority of ATV accidents occur when the rider unexpectedly encounters an obstacle, such as a rock or a ditch. Maintaining a safe speed is critical.
- If you use ATVs to hunt, prepare yourself and your family by attending an approved ATV course.
- Before hunting with ATVs on private land, be sure to get the landowner's permission.
- Always follow the rules for safe and ethical operation:
- Wear a helmet.
- Carry firearms unloaded, cased, and on a proper gun rack.
- When using the plastic scabbard mounted on an ATV, clear the inside of the scabbard of debris and check your firearm's muzzle for obstructions.
- Stay on the main roads and trails.
- Pick your route carefully to minimize terrain damage.
- Don't shoot from an ATV.
- Use ATVs only to get to the hunting area or to haul an animal from the woods.