<div>Nov. 7—As deer season approaches, many hunters are preparing their ATVs for outings in the woods. Hunters are a different group of ATV riders, according to Amber Jensen, regional training officer with the DNR enforcement group."There are a lot of folks who use the ATVs for recreation all summer long, but then there's a whole other group that uses them more as a tool for hunting, so you do see a little bit of a shift in riders there."However, Jensen said no matter how an ATV is utilized, the same safety protocols should be practiced. Among them are the following:Do not overload them: Jensen said hunters have a tendency to overload their ATVs with equipment or people, and sometimes both, but it's never a safe bet to do that."A person might have one Class I ATV and want to bring stands and five people out to their deer camp," she said. "But sticking with vehicle capacities is important." An overloaded vehicle can shift its balance and force its mechanical system past its design limits.It's easy to overload, especially when an eager hunter and his or her buddies just want to get to the tree stand or deer camp. "Before you know it you have six people hanging onto that thing and it looks like a porcupine going down the road," she said.Always wear a helmet: Just because an ATV user is on a hunt doesn't mean they shouldn't wear a helmet. Jensen said helmets should be worn at all times whenever operating an ATV, whether a traditional four-wheeler (Class I) or an enclosed cab or side-by-side vehicle (Class II)."We recommend helmets for everybody, but those under 18 must wear a helmet; some people don't think about that as much at deer camp," she said. "Class II ATVs have the same helmet requirement. A lot of people don't understand that initially; they think because it has an enclosed cab or has roll bars that it's rated differently, that there is not a helmet requirement. But there certainly is a helmet requirement."Helmets should be DOT-approved, age appropriate and fit snugly. For instance, don't take an adult helmet and put it on a child. "It won't do them any good," she said.Never wear a bike or hockey helmet.Anytime someone operates a vehicle with an enclosed cab, they also must wear a seatbelt, which comes equipped from the manufacturer.Be mindful of speed: When ATVs were released to the public decades ago they were intended as a utility vehicle, a tool to be used on farms and for other types of work, and as such they didn't have great speeds. But they soon found their value as a recreation vehicle and over time their speed abilities increased."ATVs now are very powerful and can go very fast," Jensen said. "They also have a higher center of gravity, and so if you have someone operating one who is unfamiliar with it, it is very easy for them to lose control. So that's something to think about."With an ATV's capacity for higher speeds, some users may forget the hazards of a forest road or trail, where terrain is uneven and visibility is not as good as on an open highway. She said speed is a major factor in ATV crashes and fatalities, just as it is with cars. When coupled with the component of alcohol, the risk of danger increases."People just need to slow down, take their time and enjoy the ride," she said.Don't drink and hunt: It is illegal to drink alcohol while hunting in Minnesota."I don't know that many people are familiar with that law or, if they are, they probably don't think about it much," Jensen said. "If you do drink and combine that with utilizing an ATV on your hunt, you now have an operating issue as well."North Dakota carries a similar law: It also is illegal to hunt or be afield with a gun, firearm, or bow and arrow while under the influence of alcohol in North Dakota.Jensen said many people do it anyway, because they might feel there's a sense of security or they might not think about it much because they're at deer camp or on private property."I just feel like it gets overlooked, or people are a lot looser about it, and the next thing you know they're operating an ATV on trails," she said. Danger may just be around the next bend or over the next bump.Make a plan: As with other types of outdoor activities, it is always good to have a plan and let someone know where you're planning to ride or hunt and what time you expect to be back at camp. It also is a good idea to bring a survival kit in case a hunter's machine breaks down, the cellphone battery dies, and they have to spend the night in the woods.Jensen said she expects there will be calls about lost hunters during the deer opener, just as there are every year."Good communication, letting people know where you're at, having a survival kit with you so if you get stranded you have some tools with you, especially if you don't have cell phone coverage, are all things to remember," she said. "Phone batteries don't last that long in the cold, especially if you're planning to hang out in a deer stand all day." Don't rely on walkie talkies either, as they can get wet, lose power and stop working."I think we get a little complacent because we all have a super computer in our pockets that allows us to always call somebody. But when you're in a situation where you can't, panic sets in and people kind of lose their wits about them."So those are all things to keep in mind. Ultimately there are a lot of hazards when operating an ATV."</div>

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Nov. 7—As deer season approaches, many hunters are preparing their ATVs for outings in the woods. Hunters are a different group of ATV riders, according to Amber Jensen, regional training officer with the DNR enforcement group. "There are a lot of folks who use the ATVs for recreation all...

Safety tips to remember when taking ATVs on a hunt

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Nov. 7—As deer season approaches, many hunters are preparing their ATVs for outings in the woods. Hunters are a different group of ATV riders, according to

Safety tips to remember when taking ATVs on a hunt

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