We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
The reality in our world today is that some individuals will go to great lengths to take your hunting ride. I know it may sound very far-fetched when you look at the area you hunt or even in your own neighborhood. But trust me when I say it can happen to you.
When I leave my quad at camp, I try to be much more determined to keep my machine than a thief needs to be to take it. Most thieves are typically lazy and a quick act of theft gives them a shortcut to your hard-earned hunting quad. Here are some quick things to consider when leaving your trophy ATV alone is the only logical choice.
1. The number one way an ATV gets stolen is that thieves simply roll it away. Make the thieves work for the quad by removing the valve stems from two tires, which allows them to go flat. Chances are they will not carry spare valve stems in their pockets nor will they have the tools to install them. I know you’re probably thinking “you may prevent a theft this way but how will I get air back in the tires? And man that’s going to be a pain in the neck.” But I assure you that this will be less heartache than explaining to the wife that your ATV is missing!
2. If your machine has drilled brake rotors, you can buy small pad locks and slip the locking shaft through one of the holes in the rotor to prevent the machine from being rolled away.
3. Since virtually every machine made these days has an electric starter, removing the fuse (and spare, of course) to the key switch, fuel pump or starter may slow crooks down enough for them to give up the fight and move on. If you are handy enough, you could confuse them further by unplugging the fuel pump.
4. Chaining a machine to a tree or camper is always an option, but make sure you get a quality chain and lock that cannot be drilled out — or at the very least, will require hours of work to be busted open. Be sure the chain or cable goes through the frame. Simply putting the cable through a wheel is not good enough.