By: John Arkwright

While fall is a special time of the year for the motley crew at Long Lake Hunt Camp, I look forward to spring with just as much enthusiasm.

We usually snowmobile into the hunting camp a couple of weekends during the winter with the theory being that we’ll plan our spring to-do list. As I recall though, I can’t remember if we’ve actually ever talked about it.

Really, it’s just an excuse to go to the camp for a weekend, fire up the barbecue, cook some wild game with fried onions, toss the froth off a few cold ones and play some cards.

This past fall our area was hit with a number of heavy, wet snowstorms and high winds in December, obliterating not only our camp road but also our network of trails.

We had to cut our way out through the downed trees and underbrush in moose season and the final weekend of deer season. I did manage to get into the camp this winter with our Can-Am 500 Max equipped with a track kit.

With deep snow and numerous trees down, I was able to go places with a tracked ATV that a snowmobile would have had a hard time getting to.

I’ve gained a lot of respect for track kits. They not only allow me to extend the versatility of my ATV but their handling characteristics have come a long way in a few short years.

Would I give up my snowmobile? Definitely not, but I truly enjoyed every minute I spent on that tracked ATV this past winter.

Winter is over now for another season and that’s good as my favorite time spent on an ATV is in the spring and usually within a 5-mile radius of the camp. No leaves on the trees and no black flies and mosquitoes to fight off.

This is the best time for camp repairs, firewood to be cut and split for the fall, get material in for any new deer stands and to clear shooting lanes.

I also find this is the best time to fix up our hunting trails or maybe add a new trail to another big buck hot spot as it gives them time to firm up and seal over the summer. Not only do these trails allow us access to great hunting locations but it also lets the deer and moose get used to them as well.

I enjoy a good mud run but I really hate mud holes on our hunting trails. For years I hunted out of a camp where no matter where you went, it was through a mud hole and usually one with hidden surprises.

Today I’ll go to any length to fill in these monsters. If you get at it in its infancy, it doesn’t become one of those bike-sucking quagmires that just keep getting deeper and so wide there’s nowhere to go around them.

I was talking to a friend of mine and he was thinking of upgrading to a taller set of ATV tires because the ruts are getting so deep they’re always hung up and find themselves continually winching. Guess what! If you don’t do anything about those holes, in a couple of years you’ll be in the same boat again.

Forget the 27-inchers, just fix the trail. By staying on top of your trails you avoid those ugly, wide mud holes and torn up marshes that environmentalists love to complain about.

For the record, we now have an official nasty mud hole and it’s at the top of my list this spring for a fix-up. We didn’t find out about this monster until Jim Brogan found a perfect spot for another tree stand. We loaded up two ATV trailers with lumber and off we went.

Sure enough, within ten minutes of leaving the camp, we were mired. After another ten minutes of pushing, shoving, muttering and swearing, mostly by me, we were able to get Alfonz Reiss’s Traxter around Jim, hook on to his ATV and tow him through the mud hole and up the hill.

I usually have my camera with me; fortunately for Jim, not this time. The best part is I managed to get the ATV and loaded trailer through the mud hole that Jim tore up and up the hill without needing Alfonz to tow me.

Driver skill was quite obviously the ticket here. All that being said, the collateral damage was: one CV axle, one taillight lens and I now have a custom 3-piece (was two) Kolpin gun scabbard. The only good news? My gun wasn’t in the scabbard.

We finished the stand on Wednesday with Jim only sustaining one minor flesh wound (he’ll live) and my nephew shot a deer on Saturday, three days after we built the darn thing. So much for letting the deer get used to the stand.

By: Motorhead Mark Lester

The publishing group that owns All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine took an important step this past February. Supertrax Media Inc. has acquired Dirt Trax Television, the largest viewed ATV television show in both the US and Canada.

As many of our readers in the US and Canada already know, All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine is owned by the same group publishing North America’s number one rated and largest circulation snowmobile enthusiast title, Supertrax International Magazine.

Those familiar with both Dirt Trax and SnowTrax Television will remember John Massingberd, the founder of both shows and host for 13 years of SnowTrax TV.

John was a tremendous guy and a valued friend of both my brother Kent and I. John succumbed to ALS on December 1st 2008 after battling Lou Gehrigs Disease for 15 months.

The “Big Guy’s” memory will be preserved and his contributions valued by all of us here at All-Terrain Vehicle and Supertrax International Magazines.

The effects of an international television show working in conjunction with All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine will be significant. We’ll be encouraging All-Terrain Vehicle readers to tune into Dirt Trax on the Outdoor Channel in the US and the Outdoor Life Network (OLN) and Wild TV in Canada for 26 weeks beginning in June.

You’ll see common threads running through editorial in All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine and on Dirt Trax TV. Dirt Trax will point viewers to All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine for follow up and in-depth detail on ATV tests, travel and destination features and product evaluations.

The opportunity for our readers to increase their ATV knowledge using both All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine and Dirt Trax TV is one of our biggest goals.

Dirt Trax Television host, Luke Lester, returns this season with assistance from new co-host Taera McLean. Taera will bring a fresh perspective to Dirt Trax.

Look for appearances from All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine staff expounding opinions on new technology, new equipment, land use issues and how-to features aimed at saving viewers money on maintenance and improving the performance of their rides.

While current economic realities have tried to lower enthusiasm for our sport, sales of 4-wheelers have remained respectable in most markets. In fact, in response to the ever increasing popularity of UTV 4-wheelers, All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine will feature a special SxS Buyers Guide in our June edition.

In the past, our Field Guide issue traditionally carried both ATVs and UTVs in a buyers guide format. This year, we’re targeting UTVs in a dedicated June issue.

Don’t panic, though, our June issue will still be packed with tons of ATV info, particularly new model launches from Can-Am and a couple more OEMs.

Thanks for supporting All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine and helping us become one of the largest circulated titles in the US and the largest title in Canada in just 10 years! Look for more excitement with Dirt Trax TV joining the All-Terrain Vehicle Magazine family, beginning this June!

Visit DirtTraxTV.com to watch full episodes of the show from this past season!

The sun was blazing on one of Ontario’s nicest days last summer as 165 registered riders turned out with trailers full of ATVs and gear for the 2nd annual OFATV ride in support of The Holmes Foundation.

Riders went out in four waves to tackle a 50km ride through the forests surrounding Canadian Forces Base Borden in Angus, Ontario.

Mike Holmes was in attendance walking through the crowds shaking hands and taking pictures then led the last heat of riders out onto the trails.

Riders were cautioned about a huge mud pit area used for testing tanks for the Canadian military. This all but guaranteed winches would be exercised and gave riders the chance to get dirty. Mud tires churned up the goo and an enthusiastic group had a blast supporting a good cause.

The Holmes Foundation ensures that residential renovation and construction across Canada is done right the first time. Relying on Mike Holmes’ reputation gained from his popular television show Holmes on Homes, the foundation partners with schools, businesses and government to encourage youth to pursue careers in skilled trades. The 2008 event raised more than $22,000 and attendance doubled from 2007.

Sign up now for this year’s event held on Saturday, June 13th, 2009 at CFB Base Borden in Angus, Ontario Canada (Base Borden Rod & Gun). Registration & Pledge Forms Will Be Available From Your Local Club, Participating Can-Am Dealers or on the OFATV website.

Visit www.OFATV.org contact the OFATV by phone at 705-797-0797.

By: John Arkwright

The 300 to 399cc Sport Utility class is growing quickly and there’s some very strong competition in this territory. Arctic Cat has been doing its homework and has jumped into the fray with a fresh, new 366 4×4 Automatic.

A few years ago Arctic discontinued its 300 4×4. This tough-as-an anvil Cat had been a huge seller to the sport hunting and fishing crowd and, even today, if one comes in on a trade it’s usually resold in a day or two.

Compare the old 300 to the new 366 and you’ll quickly learn there’s not much reason to compare the old to the new. Aside from its improved, modernized chassis design, the 366 has a CVT automatic transmission, far better plastics and protection from mud and debris and, most importantly, its ergonomics are an excellent fit for the young, the old, the short or the tall. Simply, the 366 has a good feel about it!

This particular engine range has long been a favorite of ATV consumers dating back into the 1980s when Honda first established its extremely popular 350 Foreman and 300 Fourtrax and, later, the huge selling Rancher 350. Soon following were winners like the Kawasaki 360 KVF, Yamaha’s Kodiaks and the Polaris 350 and 330 Explorers.

The history is strongly established here and will continue to attract hunting and fishing enthusiasts because of the class’s affordability and unique versatility. The 366 Cat slides right in there with the best of them – including many larger and much more expensive 4-wheelers.

To begin with, its physical size is nearly perfect. It weighs in at a feathery 545 lbs and is one of the lightest in this class, making for a light, nimble handling ATV. Combine this with its torquey SOHC 4-valve, 366cc powerplant and you have a great power to weight ratio. The result is an agile, quick handling ATV capable of putting a smile on the face of anyone who rides it.

This Cat’s continuously variable (CVT) transmission with EBS engine braking comes equipped with low range, neutral and reverse, is silky smooth with a low engagement and shifts as smooth as any CVT we’ve ridden – undoubtedly a result of Arctic Cat’s decades of experience with CVT clutch calibration in both ATVs and snowmobiles. 4WD can be engaged on the fly by selecting it with the switch mounted on the handlebars.

For towing and hauling loads the 366 is equipped with a man-sized 2-inch receiver and this little-engine-that-can delivers a 1500 lb. towing capacity. Unique to Arctic Cat, the rear mounted SpeedRack with its multitude of accessory attachments, will carry 150 pounds. Up front the rack capacity is 75 pounds.

We’ve had the opportunity to ride and evaluate the 366 in many different conditions, including some very formidable river crossings, without a hiccup. In months of use, other than a minor adjustment to the shift linkage, we have done absolutely nothing else to the ATV. The motor is quiet and smooth, admittedly not arm- stretching, but has a consistently strong power delivery while being stingy on fuel.

The 366 may be small in stature but it has plenty of soul! You’ll be surprised at the places you can take it and the places it’ll take you.

– BEST IN CLASS RUNNERS-UP: Arctic Cat 366 4×4

By: Matt Lester

Prime Rib in the Meat of the Market

The introduction of Yamaha’s new Grizzly 550 FI EPS fills a gap Yamaha hasn’t been filling in this segment with the Kodiak 450.

When you get your first glance at the Grizzly 550 FI EPS you’d swear you were looking at a full-sized Grizzly 700. Actually the new 550 is a spitting image of its bigger brother with the same frame, wheels, handlebars and lights. Get this: all 700 Grizzly accessories will fit the new 550 as well. Sweet.

Although it weighs roughly the same as a Grizzly 700, the 550 feels surprisingly light and nimble. Yamaha has also equipped the 550 with a super soft seat filled with high grade foam that won’t lose its density over time. Once your cheeks get cquainted with the new seat they’ll have a hard time parking anywhere else.

Five-way pre-load adjustable shocks now mounted to the lower A-arms and an under-seat fuel tank further add to the riding experience and with these additions, the lower center of gravity inspires riding confidence.

Both the 550 and the 700 feature new guards this year that completely cover the A-arms providing improved protection from rocks and stumps. Although the shock mounts have been moved to the lower A-arms, Yamaha claims five inches more useable ground clearance up front.

The ease of operation is so noticeably different with electronic power steering you really have to experience it to believe it. We’ll go out on a limb here and say Yamaha has nailed the power steering thing perfectly. It kicks in when you need it most, particularly at slower speeds and in tight turns.

If power steering doesn’t do it for you, you can opt for the more budget-conscious version of the 550 FI Grizzly without power steering for about $700 US less.

Fuel injection makes a noticeable difference in throttle response delivering consistent power at higher elevations. The fuel injection system on the Grizz can detect changes in altitude and temperature and compensate by delivering accurately metered burst of fuel during every stroke.

Yamaha’s Ultramatic transmission is one of the best in the biz and its constant belt tension translates to less heat, which ultimately means a reduced chance of breakage or wear from slippage.

Yamaha has delivered one of the best-equipped machines in the most important segment of the industry. No doubt the competition will be paying very close attention.

– BEST IN CLASS WINNER: Yamaha Grizzly 550FI
– Check out the Grizzly 500 photo gallery