Second, the weight of two to four elk quarters is substantial, and no matter how you secure the load, that ATV is going to exhibit squirrely handling because you've put the front-to-rear (and possibly left-to-right) weight balance out of whack. ATVs with smaller engines generally don't have as robust a chassis and suspension as the more powerful units, thus the potential for tipping sideways or flipping over forward or backward increases. A bigger ATV, conversely, will offer more stability and better handling with such a heavy load. The same holds true if you need to haul a whole whitetail out of the bush rather than drag it out.

Honda FourTrax Rancher 4x4 ES; 420CC Liquid-Cooled Engine; Fuel Injection; Five-Speed Transmission; Traxlok 2/4WD Selector; Dual Front Disc Brakes; www.powersports.honda.com

Bottom Line: Match your ATV's engine size, suspension and drive range to 1) the game you hunt, 2) the terrain you hunt in and 3) your preferred/required method of game extraction.

Plot Development
Fortunately, ATV manufacturers and the aftermarket accessory community have developed a wide range of equipment designed to assist hunters in establishing small-scale wildlife food plots. From planters to cultivators and discers, everything you need to create fine whitetail dining via ATV is available.

Essentially, you're replacing a tractor with an ATV. That's a tall order, so you need a machine with a strong engine that develops plenty of torque at the low end of the rpm band. In addition to the grunt factor, all that torque has to get to the ground. Traction needs demand a 4WD driveline, and to pull the equipment your ATV must be set up with a hitch.

Polaris Ranger; 500CC EFI Engine; Fuel Injection; On-Demand All-Wheel Drive; 1500 Pound Towing Capacity; Seats Three; www.polarisindustries.com

Plot development can put the hurt on any ATV, particularly one that is lacking in low-end power and traction. Coming up short here can also spell trouble if you're running an automatic transmission that's belt-driven (manual trannies and hydraulic automatics fare better).

If you are planning to develop and maintain small food plots, get an ATV with no less than a 600cc engine, selectable four-wheel drive, and preferably one with electronic fuel injection (they seem to deliver a bit better low-end torque than carbureted versions).

Arctic Cat 650 Prowler XT; 641CC Liquid-Cooled Engine; CVT Transmission; 2/4WD And Differential Lock; 600 Pound Rack Capacity; 1,500 Pound Towing Capacity; www.arcticcat.com

Cargo Transport
Transporting gear, especially heavy items, into the field is one of the big benefits of owning a hunting ATV. Tree stands, ladder stands, materials for building blinds, chainsaws--the list of gear we add to our vehicles seems endless. If you plan on hauling heavy gear or supplies on a regular basis, you should consider mid-size ATVs in the 400cc to 500cc class to be at the lower end of your ATV options, and a 4WD driveline is also strongly recommended.

Because rack-mounted cargo can significantly alter vehicle handling, and thus make an ATV unstable and downright dangerous in undulating terrain, my recommendation is to go easy on adding weight to the cargo racks. If you must haul heavy equipment or materials for your hunting endeavors, your best bet is to get an ATV with a hitch and purchase a small trailer.