How to properly transport hunting equipment on an ORV

MARQUETTE COUNTY — Hunting season is right around the corner, and that means people will be venturing to their hunting camps either via car or ORV.

If you use an ORV while hunting, people can transport a gun or crossbow as long as its in a case and unloaded.  The case had to be designed for transport, but the case doesn’t have to be secured to the ORV.

“You see a lot of these hard cases that are actually bolted onto the sides of four wheelers, they don’t have to be secured to the four wheeler,” DNR conservation officer Elton Luce said.  “Some people will secure them to their back racks with bungee cords, some people hold them in their lap.  This is fine as long as its secured in some manner and it is unloaded.”

Another thing to remember is making sure to properly transport passengers to and from a hunting camp.  Side-by-sides have designated seats, but other ORV’s do not.

“There are some manufactured designed seats on four wheelers that allow for the transportation of a second passenger,” Luce said.  “If you ATV is not designed by the manufacture to transport a second passenger, that is illegal.  Keep that in mind when going back and forth to your hunting blinds.  This is an issue for a lot of people in the youth hunt-when they’re transporting their children, just make sure you’re not transporting (anyone) on an ATV that’s not designed (for more than one person).”

There are also quiet periods for ORV operation from 7-11 a.m. and 2-5 p.m. on state lands.  The only exception to the rule is if you are traveling to a hunting camp or a residence not accessible by motor vehicle.

For more ORV/ATV information, visit the DNR’s website.