A Hunt Experience at Habitat Flats Hosted by Polaris ORV
Growing up in the South with a focus on whitetail hunting on large 2,500+ acre ranches, it was important to have a reliable off-road vehicle. Whether filling feeders, fixing fences, predator hunting, heading to the blind, or going on a joy ride, we had buggies that were made to work. After moving to the mountains three years ago and shifting my focus from flatland whitetail hunting to mostly chasing western big game animals, I’ve expanded my knowledge of hunting public land and the benefits of having a side-by-side you can trust. Sure, climbing mountains by machine rather than by foot is a plus, but it’s much more than that. While exploring new land, I continue to find trails that a full-sized vehicle simply cannot access, which gives me the ability to go further, more efficiently, away from other hunters. The common denominator is that Polaris has consistently been a leader for any outdoor adventure I’ve been involved in over the years.
Recently, I hopped on a plane and headed east for a stellar experience with the Polaris crew to learn first-hand what the all-new RANGER XP Kinetic electric machines have to offer. Polaris ambassador Tony Vandemore hosted the experience at his operation in Missouri, a place many die-hard waterfowlers dream of hunting someday. Habitat Flats lives up to its reputation, providing a first-class waterfowl and upland game experience. The accommodations were top-notch, with the friendliest staff to welcome you.
Hunting alongside Tony was a treat. You can tell that hunting is in his blood, and even though he gets to experience the best waterfowl hunting there is to offer, he doesn’t take it for granted. I’m far from an experienced waterfowler, but I appreciate high-quality hunt films that tell a story. Back in 2015, Tony released a tribute to Ruff, his best friend and sidekick who had retrieved over 25,000 ducks. It was a tear-jerker and one that resonates with every hunter. I have thought about that film many times over the years as I watch all kinds of dogs work. Every hunting breed carries a passion for their job in the field, from hound dogs that live to tree bears and mountain lions and the labs I’ve watched retrieve ducks and geese to the catahoula cur dogs that just want to bay up another pig and the blood-tracking machines that can recover game from one drop of blood. It’s what they live for!
While I’ve been fortunate enough to watch many dogs work, you can imagine how special it was when I brought up that 2015 film of Ruff during that first morning duck hunt at Habitat Flats. Tony responded, “Well this is Ruff’s son, Ki, the one in that hunt film,” which I had only seen as a young pup through a screen. What a surprise! I just hadn’t connected the dots yet. Tony said in the film that Ki would be something special, and that he was! He stole my heart. Ki is nearly 10 years old now with a gray face, and you can tell he’s slowing down too, just like his dad, Ruff. He was also one of the most efficient nappers before and after the hunt, resting his eyes in the bed of the Polaris any chance he could.
The weather was far from ideal during my time at Habitat Flats, but it didn’t seem to matter. It was warmer than usual, and the 10-15 mph winds that the Weather Channel called for was a lie, yet we still managed to limit out and spend the extra time in the blind swapping stories and laughing.
The camaraderie is one of the best things about bird hunting. I believe the social aspect is slightly more present than other types of hunting. It’s truly a team effort, from putting the decoys out and everyone shouldering their guns when someone yells, “Take ‘em!” to your best friends going to retrieve the fruits of your labor. It was the perfect experience to wrap up my fall 2022 season!
Speaking of this fall season, I’ve been using the Polaris RANGER XP 1000 Trail Boss for the last four months, and on one hunt alone, it saved me five miles on foot during a bull elk pack out in New Mexico. Fast forward to October when the leaves began to change to that vibrant yellow in the high country and I took it for a 50+ mile joyride through Southern Utah with my friends. I’m impressed by its speed and performance, its clearance to climb over large rocks and branches, and the ability to haul heavy loads, including three adults, all of our hunting gear, and a quartered up bull elk.
When I heard about the launch of the Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic, I questioned the necessity and benefit, especially for hunters. Why would an outdoorsman feel inclined to invest or upgrade to an electric side-by-side? After spending some time with these new machines at Habitat Flats in Missouri, I’m convinced they provide an edge for every type of hunter.
NOISE
The most obvious difference is how quiet it is, even at full speed. I had to double check my dash to make sure the machine was turned on in the first place and then again when I put it in Drive because it’s that quiet. While others were driving, I heard the sound of the gravel shifting underneath the tires before the actual vehicle itself. Having the ability to get to your stand or your duck blind without disrupting wildlife is pretty incredible. One of my favorite tactics during early season archery elk hunts is to drive the roads at night and listen for bugles. Up until this point, I’ve always turned off my vehicle because you simply cannot hear a faint bugle otherwise. I also tend to get out of my truck and walk away to avoid hearing those contracting metal parts that are cooling off and making a crackling noise once I kill the motor. With the Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic, this isn’t necessary. You can simply let off the gas and listen from the comfort of your seat! Another noticeable difference is the ability to have a conversation with your passenger(s) without having to yell over the sound of the motor.
MAINTENANCE
A gas-powered vehicle comes with more maintenance – frequent oil changes, occasional tune-ups, and filter replacements, to name a few. Scheduled maintenance costs for this electric powertrain are estimated to be 70% less than similar gas-powered vehicles. To put it simple, the Polaris RANGER XP Kinetic has fewer moving parts, resulting in less maintenance. Also, while it’s an obvious benefit, I cannot avoid mentioning how much you save on fuel, especially after the last year we’ve had with record-high gas prices.
POWER
It may be natural to question the power of an electric vehicle against gas, but I’m extremely impressed with its ability to accelerate and climb, especially with its 14" ground clearance. It can haul heavy loads and perform tough jobs, which is no surprise when you consider its 110HP and 140lb-ft of torque. Battery life is another common concern, if not the biggest concern with electric vehicles across the board, particularly in colder climates. Polaris did extensive testing that resulted in an approximate 80-mile range on a single charge for the Ultimate package or a 45-mile range with the Premium package. It can also reach a full charge from 0% battery in just five hours. To top it off, they’ve included a 12v power port in the bed with a dash switch for convenience. This is great for the hunters planting seed or watering food plots.
SCENT
For those who take scent control to the extreme, the electric option eliminates the worry of smelling like fumes from a gas- powered vehicle. As a hunter, I tend to focus on playing the wind more than anything, but I think we all have that friend who changes clothes in the field before starting their morning hike to the stand. I personally just enjoy not inhaling those fumes when I’m driving the Kinetic.
I’ve been extremely happy with my Polaris RANGER XP 1000 Trail Boss, but I must admit that the Kinetic is very appealing for all the reasons above. I’m not one to get a new truck or iPhone every year, but maybe my off-road vehicle will be the exception moving forward. As I reflect on this hunt experience, I keep thinking how full-circle life can be. I’ve personally used Polaris products for many years, I heard about Habitat Flats and the impact that Tony Vandemore has made on the waterfowl world from several friends, and I watched Ki as a pup in a film that is arguably one of the best hunt films on the internet. I’m grateful for the memories and checking another hunting state off my list.
As all hunters know, hunting time is sacred time, and just because you like someone day- to-day doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy sharing a blind with them. I can confidently say that the individuals and ambassadors that represent Polaris are people I’d happily share hunting camp with all over again. Polaris has been and will continue to be a brand I can trust!
Please visit Polaris at www.polaris.com.
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