Atv on ice need advice

[ejkbrown]

I need some guidelines about atv use and ice fishing. I will be using it in Ulster and surrounding counties for hauling gear and kids. Got insurance and Reg.on the toys. Any advice appreciated.

[gulp]

Cant help with the state laws thing. We have been using our atv to haul gear for years. First things first. Ice needs to be 8in before you should be out there with your atv. Next no mater what kind of hut you have you need to get a jet sled to haul gear. That way you dont have to unload the hut to set up and you can leave some stuff loaded to the jet slead. Fast stops are a no no. Watch your rod on the bumps they can fly out easy. Good luck out there stay safe.

[Grady95]

How are you planning to attach the shanty to the sled?  You may want to start researching things like this now.  I use a homemade set up, but you can buy them.  Law Enforcement people do look for you to make an effort to do this when they spot check you out there.  Besides, I find it a lot nicer to leave my shanty attached right to the ATV when I set it up.  Keeps the house from blowing away and it's one less thing you have to do in order to come back off.
There's a good project for you to get started with!  If your shanty is a low one, like a Shapell for example, you may want to find a tube runner sled to pull it with.  There's a guy in Honeoye that makes nice ones.  If you're interested, I'll give you contact info.
Grady

[mealworm]

always where your helmet

no matter how thick the ice is always watch out for week spots in the ice especially near pressure ridges

if your wheeler is 2x4 you may want a few studs or tire chains

never drive 100 million miles an hour

[eye hunter]

I have a Honda Forman 4x4 You will need Insurance, Reg, and Helmet. I always wear a PFD, one of the inflatible style is good, it will still work under your jacket. The tow bar between your wheeler and sled must be of a rigid type, they will ticket you if you are using a rope to tow anything. As far as anchoring down your sled / Shanty I just leave it hooked to the wheeler and flip up the shanty and move to the next hole then flip it down and start fishin. Don't forget spikes and a length of rope. I have a gallon ziploc bag with a few tools and some zip ties.

[ICE_MONKEY]

If you have anyone in a sled behind the wheeler you'll need a tow hitch. I've never been ticketed for having my shanty hooked to the wheeler by just the tow rope but nobody was riding in it either. Another forum about this said its a DMV law not DEC.

[surflizard]

You will never go back to hand dragging !! It takes being mobile to a whole new level, you can stay longer, cover more water and explore new water ! I won't go with out mine !
FLAAGGG !! 

[Reel_Force]

A cover for your sled is a really good idea, for them snowy and slushy days. Spinning them tires will put a good amount of crap in your sled.

[eye hunter]

If you have anyone in a sled behind the wheeler you'll need a tow hitch. I've never been ticketed for having my shanty hooked to the wheeler by just the tow rope but nobody was riding in it either. Another forum about this said its a DMV law not DEC.

  I believe the ECOs have the same power to write tickets as do the State Police which would allow them to enforce DMV laws. I know they can write speeding tickets and all other DMV infractions.

[AEffling]

Just dont whip too many cookies on the ice

[ICE_MONKEY]

  I believe the ECOs have the same power to write tickets as do the State Police which would allow them to enforce DMV laws. I know they can write speeding tickets and all other DMV infractions.

ECO's have more power than the state troopers. I'm not saying they can't write for any DMV laws. I'm saying I've never been writen when checked while towing my shanty by just the tow rope, not a tow hitch. I know what they can write for, I have a few friends that are ECO's 

[Hardwaternubie53]

If you really want to go anywhere with the atv, ditch the wheels and get mattracks. I did. Can't beat them. A little pricey for new ones but you can find deals on e-bay on good used ones. Don't get cammoplast brand. JUNK! Mattracks are the best. Also, add marine stabile and dry gas to every tank of gas. The new ethanol crap may freeze you up if you are out in real cold weather. It did it to me once. After adding stabile and "HEAT", I no longer have that problem. Under advice of my atv dealer, I also changed out the spark plug for a slightly hotter plug. Now, nothing stops my little "tank"! I have also met a lot of great people on the ice who come over to ask me about the tracks. Conversation starter!

[zdake1]

rigid tow bars for the shanty/jet sled to keep it from slamming into the back of the wheeler. Helmets for all passengers. Plenty of gas. and keep a slow, steady speed on the ice, it will keep traction better that horsing it here and there. Brakes make you skid, let the engine slow you down. and of course the obvious, don't run through peoples tip-up's unless it's unavoidable and give a wide berth to other machines on ice under 8". I didn't read all the other posts, so you probably already heard all that. be safe, use common sense, and catch a LOT of fish!