Carrying rifle on a snowmobile

I use a double sling when carrying a rifle on the sled....strapped on my back I don't even know its there but it does need protection from snow dust. I use a large wool sock with the end cut out to cover the action and scope plus a small balloon over the muzzle.
If i think I need it more at the ready I sling it over my chest.
 
She's pretty ratty from hundreds of miles of knee riding, wood cutting, ice fishing, yote calling and all the winter work it's done. The new track is likely worth more than the rest of the machine but she still does the job. I've been looking for a replacement for a couple of years but would have to sell a 1/4 of land to buy a new Bearcat or anything that fills the bill like the old gal does..
The mount for the Kolpin goes onto the quad rack with wing nuts so it's an easy job to swap over.
A handy tip for the Kolpin...I attached the cover to the body at the bottom with bungy cord through a couple of drilled holes to act as a flexible hinge so I can pull the cover and let go. You'll never lose it, and you don't have to put the pin in.
I carry slung in front of me when there's likely a need for a fast shot, like a coyote coming out from the neighbors chickens.

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Here is a photo with the Outfitters Trailmax Rifle Scabbard/Orange on the Skandic:

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It come with to heavy duty buckle straps for attachment to a saddle but these work just as well to attach it to the sled.
 
I use a ice auger tube , 10" diameter , I have it attached to the back rack of my sled. It sits a slight angle and doesn't extend past the rear bumper. The outer edge of the tube is slightly outside of the running boards but still isn't as wide as the sled. Provides good rollover protection just in case.
 
I took what felt was the best, next step logical leap.



Any newer quad is fuel injected, cold starts are a non issue. If it does somehow get to cold to start, i probably dont want to be going anywhere anyway.

Someone mentioned a reliable quad with tracks. If there was ever one, this is it. Even though its belt drive, the primary clutch is driven by an internal old school oil bathed clutch, and doesn't turn endlessly or slip while trying to turn the secondary. The result, virtually no belt wear or failure. If your worried about it, bring a spare, just like you would on a snowmobile. If your climbing big hills or pushing deep powder, towing an ice shack or tugging trees home, use low range. I believe arctic cat uses the same drive system, dont quote me though.

Speed. It aint no speed demon. 50-60 km/h top out on hard pack. bigger engine quads go faster, ive seen some big can am's turning 100km/h plus on tracks. Ive no need, as im usually a putter, am in the woods somewhere or am hauling to much gear.

Unstoppable. Ive tried to get it stuck, on purpose. Came close once by driving into the backside of a soft drift. While i ceased forward movement, i just backed out. Be smart and youll never be stuck. That being said, bring a shovel, rope and pulleys for your winch incase you do.

Cost. Yeah, buy it once, cry once. Not cheap, but if you can get a used set they are more reasonable, pending you can make them work for your machines hubs.

Added benefit. If you snowplow with your quad, your atv will automatically become a mini bulldozer as a side effect. Making 15 foot snow ramps becomes fun, and the kids will thank you for it.

Added benefit. I can keep my shotty, chainsaw, ropes, pulleys, shovel, wrenches, spare saw parts, tools, blankets, extra clothing, lunch, water/other liquids, hunting or varmint rifle, extra footwear/clothing, extra fuel, extra person/seat, and still have a front and rear rack available for game, extra gear, etc. This is all before i attach a big boggon, and if i do, it doesnt effect the ability to go anywhere..
 
I hear you on the freezing up!

I was at the camp over New years and went coyote hunting and came back thru a boggy trail. I was tired when I got back and just parked the bike, had supper and a few drinky-poos. Went to -10 and froze solid overnite. Realized my boo-boo the next morning so I put a cover over the bike, started it and piped the exhaust of 2 trucks under the cover. About 45 minutes later it was loosing up that I could start cleaning it out, I realize a sled would freeze just as bad but I generally don't drive it thru bogs! ;)

Always wanted to try a set of tracks but the cost was the issue, 3-$4000 buys a decent sled. Also I see a lot of tracks for sale here that say used once or twice and I always wonder why?

I have always heard they cut your speed by half and your range by half, the range part would bug me as I only get 100km out of my quad now.
 
Cranky Pants said:
I hear you on the freezing up!

I was at the camp over New years and went coyote hunting and came back thru a boggy trail. I was tired when I got back and just parked the bike, had supper and a few drinky-poos. Went to -10 and froze solid overnite. Realized my boo-boo the next morning so I put a cover over the bike, started it and piped the exhaust of 2 trucks under the cover. About 45 minutes later it was loosing up that I could start cleaning it out, I realize a sled would freeze just as bad but I generally don't drive it thru bogs! ;)

Always wanted to try a set of tracks but the cost was the issue, 3-$4000 buys a decent sled. Also I see a lot of tracks for sale here that say used once or twice and I always wonder why?

I have always heard they cut your speed by half and your range by half, the range part would bug me as I only get 100km out of my quad now.
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They're VERY hard on the driveline and all associated parts; steering box, CV joints, diffs, etc.
And unless you buy the ones your quad's manufacturer sells, it'll void the warranty.
 
Here's how I do it. (Last years pic)
A bunge hook is on the front of the case hooked through a hole in the floorboard. A hard bungee is hooked to the inside handle pulling it back keeping the front hook tight. And a soflt bungee, or 2, holding it snug to the tunnel. To tight is no good.
I'll take some tomorrow with the new machine.
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bearkilr said:
The issue with quads/UTV's is that they ice up. Brakes freeze, CV joints, differentials, etc. Unless you can park it in a heated garage when you're done moving, they're no good for winters here. I have bills to prove it.
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True, they can, and do, ice up, but so can, and do, sleds. Ive experiend it as well, but ive learned to work around it. First off, i avoid slush at all costs, and if i cant, travel at a low speed to prevent splashback as much as possible. Second, ive removed all bottom covers from my machine, no skid plates, no a-arm plates, just frame. This works two fold; any loose snow will drop through te frame, and what snow does build up can be easyily accessed by hand to reach in and paw away from the cv boots before leaving to sit overnight, takes about 2 minutes. Heated garage is ideal, but if your smart about it, there are work arounds. Small price to pay for added capibility, at least for me.

Never torn a boot, never seized a differential, never burned up a belt or caused any front end damage what so ever. Going on winter 3 now. Warranty? My machine only came with 6 months, expired 3 years ago, have yet to do anything other than an oil change.

Yes, it cuts your speed by half, because it gears down your machine due tonthe excess weight and resistance required to turn the tracks. It will also affect your mileage, ill get 50-60 kms on a tank with tracks, but i can also carry a 20 litre jerry can or two if im going way out in the bush, because i have the rack space, with space still left over. Its about capibility. If you need it, there is a cost. If not, a cheap sled will do the same. Just another machine to store, maintain, license and insure.
 
i'd say if your riding in think brush, use a mount on your machine, for ease of access through tight areas. If you are in the open i would say a 3 point sling for the ease of shouldering rifle
 
NL-Hunter said:
The complaint i hear about quads with tracks is the constant spray of snow from front tracks making the driver a wee bit cold.
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There can be a lot of spray, depending on your track tread, fender width, speed and snow conditions. Aggressive 1" paddles, no fender flares, light powder and high speed, you'll be a snowman. If you dress accordingly, travel a reasonable speed, and ride on trails at least traveled on once, its no different than a snow machine, except you'll be carrying/towing more gear.
 
NL-Hunter said:
The complaint i hear about quads with tracks is the constant spray of snow from front tracks making the driver a wee bit cold.
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Yeah, they're cold, even without snow spray.

I've spent a large part of my life around ATV's and snowmachines in various configurations.
Tracked ATV's will never replace a snowmobile, otherwise they'd have done so a long time ago.
Many people have a quad and they buy a track kit to use it in winter instead of having to buy a snowmobile. There's not a single thing they're better at in snow than a snowmobile, and that includes towing a sleigh.
 
We muzzleloader deer hunted one year by snowmobiling in to our area. We used a well made leather sling produced in the 80's called a Viper Sling. It could hold the long gun in 3 ways; in front, in back and normal over your shoulder. We mostly used it in the in front manner. You just had to unsnap a button and lift the rifle to your shoulder, very quick and easy. We bought these slings for use when traveling on the ATV or when in a treestand. With the rifle slung around you this way you never risked dropping your rifle, even when you were not holding on to it. I think the company went out of business, if you Google "Viper Sling" now it shows a completely different tactical one point sling. A Safari "Boonie Packer" sling also holds the rifle in front of you well when operating an ATV or snowmobile. WK
 
Tight sling on back while travelling. If you are chasing them just carry a sawed off 12 gauge remington 1100 with #4 shot. works every time (not that i would know I just heard that somewhere)
 
Home-made bracket for snowmobile...works great.

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Slung across back is fine for open terrain AND if you're not hitting lots of bumps.

I've seen guys get ripped off a machine on a trail if a rifle snags a tree.

Long, bumpy rides with a slung rifle slapping your back for hours makes you think you should have gone ice fishing instead...
 
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