Build a Better Hunting Rig with UTV Upgrades and Accessories That Actually Matter

The UTV that hauled me around the Idaho mountains chasing bugling bull elk looked a lot different than the rig I use to hunt the soggy river bottoms back home in eastern North Carolina.

Out west, a hunting rig needs to handle long climbs and steep terrain. At home, it’s more about mud, thick brush, and hauling deer. If it’s duck season, it might also end up loaded with decoys and an impatient retriever.

And that’s the thing about building a better hunting rig. The best upgrades are the ones that make your hunt better, and that means different things to different hunters. Here are a few ways to think about upgrading your rig as well as some relevant product picks selected by MeatEater’s greatest gear junkie, Matt Miller.

Storage

Every hunter knows how hunting gear seems to magically multiply. On opening day, you head into the woods with nothing but a rifle and some binos. By the end of the first week, you find yourself surrounded by rain gear, game bags, calls, extra gloves, snacks, and a handful of other odds and ends that somehow seem essential.

But smart storage options do more than just let you carry more stuff. Cargo boxes, gear racks, and gun cases can also help keep your important gear from sliding around, taking a beating, or getting buried under a pile of jackets. And when everything has its place, it’s easier to get your hands on what you need when you need it.

• Bed Storage Box: For storing larger items or things that need to be protected from harsh weather outside of the cab, this “bed trunk” is invaluable. It can hold clothing, sleeping bags, optics, ammo, tools, recovery gear, and even ice and drinks.
• Under Seat Box: There is a shockingly large amount of space under the seats in modern UTVs; take advantage of that with these under-seat storage bins. They’re super easy to mount and access once installed.
• Gun Mount: How you store and access your rifle or shotgun is really important. You want it to be secure but easily accessible. This dual-gun mount from Can-Am easily accepts most long guns while keeping them within reach for quick deployment.
• Rifle Case: FHF’s soft case comes with a strap system to mount it to seatbacks, roll bars, and more. It’s well padded and built like a tank.

Recovery

When you’re dreaming of tricking out a hunting UTV, recovery gear isn’t typically the kind of thing you get excited about. It isn’t fun or glamorous. Winches and traction boards rarely turn heads at basecamp or the skinning shed.

But you’ll be glad you have them if you ever find yourself staring at a UTV that just won’t budge. Recovery straps, a winch, traction boards, a shovel, and a basic tool kit are the kind of gear you hope stays packed away. Until the day you need it. Then it’s worth every penny.

A muddy trail, a steep climb, or a bad line over unfamiliar ground can quickly turn a normal hunt into a long walk back to the truck if you don’t have the right recovery gear.

• Shovel: This one is pretty self-explanatory. From hardware store specials to lightweight, collapsible models, any shovel will do.
• Chainsaw: It doesn’t matter if you’re hunting or just out exploring, a downed tree will stop you in your tracks unless you have a saw on hand.
• A General Kit: Finding a good, general recovery kit, with a tow strap, gloves, tools, a tire plug, etc., is a smart thing to always have on hand. This one fits nicely inside a spare tire.
• A Winch Accessory Kit: A winch on its own will only get you so far. Rarely is there a tree right where you need it; sometimes you have to bust out the snatch block and straps when the situation calls for them.

Weather Protection

Having windows and a windshield may not seem like essential hunting gear until you're trying to get back to the trailhead in sideways rain. That’s when those nice-to-have accessories suddenly feel essential.

Doors, heated grips, seat heaters, and windshield wipers won’t make your UTV more capable, but they can keep a ride from being miserable. When bad weather rolls in, a little extra comfort can be the deciding factor in being in the field and letting the forecast decide when you hunt.

Tires

All the horsepower in the world won’t do you any good if your tires can’t get traction. The right tires are the foundation of any hunting rig because they are what connect you to the ground you’re trying to cover.

Hunters need to choose their tires based on the terrain they hunt. A southern hunter driving through flooded timber needs very different tires than one climbing rocky, mountain trails out West. Mud tires will help you claw across a sloppy river bottom, but they will be practically useless when you’re trying to cover long distances over mixed terrain. In that case, an all-terrain tire will serve you better.

Tire size matters, but bigger isn’t always better. Fat tires can give you more ground clearance, which is handy when you’re crawling over boulders and deadfall. But big tires also add weight, which can strain your machine. You don’t need to build the biggest rig you can. That’s when an all-terrain tire becomes your new best friend.

• General Trail Tires: A solid, all-around tire that will last a long time, provide excellent traction, and isn’t too bad on-road.
• Extreme Terrain Tires: If you live down south and spend more time at mud parties than you do racing through mountainous terrain, you are going to need a wildly different tire with large tread blocks and spacing to clear out mud.

Lighting

Hunters understand that legal shooting light is only part of the hunting equation. The real work often happens after the sun goes down.

Breaking down an animal, packing up camp, or driving a trail that was a heckuva lot easier to navigate in daylight can be a lot easier (and safer) with the right lighting. A light bar or auxiliary lights are the kind of upgrades that quickly earn their keep when you’re trying to get things done in the dark. Rear-facing work lights are also handy when you’re digging for decoys before sunrise or hauling meat back to camp after sunset.

• Main Light Bar: A big light bar, on your roof or front bumper, will put out an impressive amount of light and make late-night drives a breeze. This one from Can-Am integrates with the Defender's electronics for an effortless installation.
• Smaller Light Bar: If your budget doesn’t allow for a big bar for the roof, a smaller 10- to 20-inch light bar is just the ticket. They are still crazy bright and will put out enough light for any trail ride.
• Interior Light: Not all UTV’s come with interior lights. Fortunately, you can mount these battery-powered lights anywhere.

Small Upgrades That Make a Big Difference

Most hunters don’t care if their UTV is super fancy. They just want it to get them in and out of the field and haul game after a successful trip. But there are some small upgrades that can make a huge difference when you’re miles from the nearest blacktop. They can even make a difference on a quick trip to the back forty.

A phone holder keeps your hunting app visible instead of buried in your pocket. A GPS mount keeps maps up where you can see them. Cup holders keep your coffee from spilling when you’re bumping over rough trails. And extra charging ports let you keep your batteries topped off while you’re running cameras, checking maps, or searching for cell service after days away from civilization.

• Phone Mount: Keep your phone secure even if you roll your rig onto its side.
• Radios: A good walkie-talkie can always come in handy when out in the backcountry with friends.
• Rinse Kit: When you’re bombing down dusty or muddy trails, having a way to rinse off is a welcomed treat. Or when you’ve just spent an hour cleaning out your elk in 100°F heat and want to rinse the blood and sweat off, you’ll be glad you had one.

Final Thoughts

The best hunting UTV isn’t the one with the most accessories bolted to it. It’s the one built to fit the way you hunt. For some, that’s climbing steep mountain trails chasing bulls. For others, it’s crawling through southern mud. The right setup looks different for every hunter, but no matter how you hunt, it will help keep you in the field doing what you love.