Took Titan Hunting

[majorKAP]

Originally Posted by smoothTitan

real nice nice buck,i missed a pretty nice one on the first morning. What part of ky do you hunt, i do alot of deer hunting in henry county.

I live in Madison, so I do a lot of daytrips around here. The cabin is in Owen County. It's about 90 minutes from home, so when I go there, I usually stay a minimum of 3 days.

My wife's old uncle is a big landowner in Henry County. It's a really nice farm.

[majorKAP]

Originally Posted by MO Titan

I will try to post pics after i get back after Thanksgiving. I'm a duck (any water fowl really) hunter. People who went out here in Missouri this week end for the start of deer season (gun) said they saw a lot of geese adn ducks heading out. I am hopeful that in two weeks it stays nice and cold up north. The guy who I am hunting with's dad got eight ducks this weekend.

Nice ATV you got there. What kind is it and how much was the trailor. I am looking to get a used one next year and I am trying to get some opinions which to get. I also have a CC, so I would need the4 trailor as well.

Say MO Titan,

I just saw your question to me. I bought my Polaris Sportsman 500 new in 1998. I've use it as a workhorse around the homestead yearlong and take it often to the woods for various hunting and camping type outings.

It has been virtually trouble free, and is capable of doing whatever I have asked of it. Regular fluid changes and staying on top of all of the Zerk grease fittings is about all that has been required. Like an old 8N Ford tractor, they will last a long time if not abused or neglected.

When I bought it, it seemed huge compared to the rest of the market. The new machines made today by various manufacturers have gotten to be damn near automotive in stature. I think they can be too big to be useful in the woods.

I'm sure every manufacturer makes a good machine. I know guys who have other brands, but I can personally comment only on the Polaris Sportsman 500 because that is what I know. Unlike first year Titans, the Sportsman 500 has been around a long while, plenty of time for Polaris to have made it right. The new ones have all sealed bearings and bushings and don't need the messy grease jobs like mine does.

Incredibly, ATV prices seem to hve decreased over the years. I paid more for my model 7 years ago than what is being asked for them now.

The trailer I use is an all aluminum utility model made by Featherlite. It is, of course, really light in weight and corrosion resistant. It is a 4.5'x8' flatbed with ramp, and is used for the ATV, my motorcycles, firewood, lumber, furniture, straw bales and any other need. I had the bed of it Rhino lined. What is nice, is that I can unload the ATV, hitch the trailer to the ATV, and then go about using that combo to pitch camp deep in the woods or any other use.

I'm not loyal to the manufacturer of anything....no HD tattoos on my body, for instance. But since you asked for my opinion, I heartily recommend the Polaris Sportsman 500 and the Featherlite aluminum trailer.

[Spranger]

took mine hunting last weekend...

[MO Titan]

Originally Posted by majorKAP

Say MO Titan,

I just saw your question to me. I bought my Polaris Sportsman 500 new in 1998. I've use it as a workhorse around the homestead yearlong and take it often to the woods for various hunting and camping type outings.

It has been virtually trouble free, and is capable of doing whatever I have asked of it. Regular fluid changes and staying on top of all of the Zerk grease fittings is about all that has been required. Like an old 8N Ford tractor, they will last a long time if not abused or neglected.

When I bought it, it seemed huge compared to the rest of the market. The new machines made today by various manufacturers have gotten to be damn near automotive in stature. I think they can be too big to be useful in the woods.

I'm sure every manufacturer makes a good machine. I know guys who have other brands, but I can personally comment only on the Polaris Sportsman 500 because that is what I know. Unlike first year Titans, the Sportsman 500 has been around a long while, plenty of time for Polaris to have made it right. The new ones have all sealed bearings and bushings and don't need the messy grease jobs like mine does.

Incredibly, ATV prices seem to hve decreased over the years. I paid more for my model 7 years ago than what is being asked for them now.

The trailer I use is an all aluminum utility model made by Featherlite. It is, of course, really light in weight and corrosion resistant. It is a 4.5'x8' flatbed with ramp, and is used for the ATV, my motorcycles, firewood, lumber, furniture, straw bales and any other need. I had the bed of it Rhino lined. What is nice, is that I can unload the ATV, hitch the trailer to the ATV, and then go about using that combo to pitch camp deep in the woods or any other use.

I'm not loyal to the manufacturer of anything....no HD tattoos on my body, for instance. But since you asked for my opinion, I heartily recommend the Polaris Sportsman 500 and the Featherlite aluminum trailer.

Thank you much. I am wanting to hear about personal experiences like that. I find that they mean more than stats. The trailor sounds great too. I have heard nothing but great things about Polaris. They are usually the more expensive ones, but i guess you get what you pay for. Thanks again.

[tnbowhunter]

Nice deer, congrats to ya. Looks like he has been wearing those cedars out, lol. Great looking cabin as well.
Here's one of two I have killed this year during the archery season, not as large as yours but I had a great time figuring him out and finally getting him.
Didn't have to go far either as I got this one here at the house.
Gun season opens this weekend and I have one more Buck tag.
Good luck to all you hunters out there, be safe!!!!!

[majorKAP]

I'd consider practically any deer taken with archery tackle to be a prize, tnbowhunter. That's a good pic, as well. I've posted a few more shots of my facility and another deer taken. We have electricity but no running water. The cabin is heated with a woodstove. There are 2 bedrooms, each with 2 double bunk beds, so a total of eight overnighters can be accomodated. The outhouse is a 2 room affair (single hole in each room), electrified and heated with an oil-filled radiator. We have a little work remaining, mostly finishing out the trim, completing the staining, building stairs to the front porch, etc.

We have approx 220 acres and share a border with a 1500 acre State wildlife management area which is closed to hunters during the regular season. That's nice, in that we never have a concern with poachers or fence climbers onto our property, because the game wardens regularly patrol that area.

It is apparent to me that most readers of this thread are under the mistaken impression that I took the deer pictured. Not so. I took the photo. The man in the picture (not me) is the fellow that spent 3 days of dawn to dusk hours on stand waiting for that brute. The one I'm waiting on has yet to make an appearance before me. I'm a patient sort. I'll pass on a number of bucks and may end the season without one....but that's fine by me if it happens that way. I've become very selective in my advancing years. I'll take a couple of does for the freezer before seasons end all will be well.

Hey MO Titan! Note what sort of ATV is pictured above. Same as mine, albeit a later edition. Ask tnbowhunter for comments regarding his Polaris Sportsman.

[tnbowhunter]

Originally Posted by majorKAP

Hey MO Titan! Note what sort of ATV is pictured above. Same as mine, albeit a later edition. Ask tnbowhunter for comments regarding his Polaris Sportsman.

Yeah, it's hard to beat a Polaris Sportsman. Mine is a 500, they now make a 700 I think. Now that would really be a brute.
I't is a great deer hauler, plus I use it around the farm for hauling fertilizer,seed etc. I even pull a small disc harrow with it for some of my out of the way food plots. If you've ever pulled a harrow with a tractor you know how much it takes to pull one, and the Polaris pulls it with ease albeit in 4X4.
And yes I agree with you about being selective on the deer. I'm lucky as I have a 200 acre lease in the middle part of the state where me and the wife hunt. We aren't too selective about the deer we take there as we have no control like you do about who comes and goes when we aren't there. On the other hand, here at the house we don't take anything less than 8 points and 2.5 years old. In fact the deer on the Polaris is the first deer I have taken off this place in 3 years. I let two different smaller bucks pass last week on the Muzzle Loader season hoping that they will survive till next year.
Hope you get a crack at the "big-un" this season.

[smoothTitan]

I live in Madison, so I do a lot of daytrips around here. The cabin is in Owen County. It's about 90 minutes from home, so when I go there, I usually stay a minimum of 3 days.

That funny, i live in madison co. too, and i hunted many years in owen county. my grandpaw started in the late 70's staying at the old 3 springs camp ground and we continued to go down there every single year untill last year when the farm we hunted go sold. really nice place, and the truck stops are really good to catch breakfast to.

i have been trying to locate someplace to hunt here in madison co, so i can do some close hunts in between college, no luck though.

[lenj33]

Originally Posted by MO Titan

I will try to post pics after i get back after Thanksgiving. I'm a duck (any water fowl really) hunter. People who went out here in Missouri this week end for the start of deer season (gun) said they saw a lot of geese adn ducks heading out. I am hopeful that in two weeks it stays nice and cold up north. The guy who I am hunting with's dad got eight ducks this weekend.

Nice ATV you got there. What kind is it and how much was the trailor. I am looking to get a used one next year and I am trying to get some opinions which to get. I also have a CC, so I would need the4 trailor as well.

You don't need a trailer just cause you have a CC.

[MO Titan]

[quote=lenj33]You don't need a trailer just cause you have a CC.

QUOTE]
True you do not. However, I figured after all is said and done havin it on the trailor maybe a little easier on the bed and good for other applications outside of the ATV. Thanks for the review of the ATV guys. The people I hunt with are big Honda ATV guys. I think you get a little less bag for your buck with Hondas from what I have seen. Any body have any experiences with Yamahas? Also, did you guys buy yours new or used? If used, what is the usual price drop from new to uesd? Are there usually a few used ones to choose from at the dealers? How much if any can you haggle with ATV dealers? When is a good time to buy, because I will not be purchasing it for this season? Sorry about the thread-jack, I will make it up when I get back from duck hunting a week after Thanksgiving with some pics.

[lenj33]

Like when I bought my Titan, I drove all the major brands of ATV in the utility class I was looking to buy. I wound up going with the yamaha. It has an autoclutch but you control the gear shifting, more maneuverable than the others and the hondamatic trannys seemed to really drian alot of power on those atvs.

You can get good deals on Yamahas, if you don't want the honda's, the 3 guys in line behind you do want them so get out of line and have a nice day

The best time of year to buy is right when the new models come out, usually right around the same time as new cars and trucks. I got over 1K off my ATV and great financing as well.

I love my Yammy Big Bear and have never looked back. Slap a winch on the front for a few bucks and there's nothing it can't do. I've gotten deer from some very nasty places with that thing.

Len

[MO Titan]

What would be the normal for money off? Say if a new Sportsman 500 was MSRP at 6299, where would you start? How much money will they take off?

[Helinut1970]

Originally Posted by MO Titan

What would be the normal for money off? Say if a new Sportsman 500 was MSRP at 6299, where would you start? How much money will they take off?

You should at least look at the Bombardier 400, 650 or 800. The 400 will out power and out perform any others in its class. As well as the 800. They have A suspension that out performs any other. Its a true 2 seater that converts easily into a 1 seater. The 800 can whoop any other in its class with 2 riders sitting on it and the others only 1. They have the brakes set inboard insead of them out on the tires. This protects them from the mud and elements. Full independant rear suspension. A big plus for rock climbing. Make sure you test all manufactures before buying. Just to think what you would be driving if you didnt test drive the Titan!!!
http://www.bombardier-atv.com/en-US/Index.htm

[MO Titan]

The nearest Bombardier dealer is 350 miles away.

[Helinut1970]

Originally Posted by MO Titan

The nearest Bombardier dealer is 350 miles away.

350 miles ??? Your in St louis Mo. right? Look on the site for dealers. I found 3 in the St. louis area!