Also, DNR's Welcome Weekend and free fishing days are here
A few years ago, I thought it would be a great idea if I purchased an ATV to make my deer hunting somewhat easier. Being that I am now a senior citizen and have had numerous surgeries, including the loss of part of my right lung that really slowed me down, two different lower back surgeries, two lower neck surgeries, my gall bladder being removed, three different surgeries for stents, my right shoulder reconstructed, four cataract surgeries and hopefully, that will be all that is required for a while, it is difficult to admit getting old isn’t much fun, but it beats the alternative.
Since I am now retired, I am living on a limited income. There are so many things that I cannot afford. I decided to start shopping for a good, used ATV. It didn't have to be able to win a beauty contest or run 80 mph. I wanted something to help me run my trail cameras, move and relocate tree stands, and in the event I was fortunate enough to harvest a deer, it had enough power to help me get that deer out of the woods and back to the truck.
Golly, I looked at so many ATVs, and some were downright on their last leg, or some young guy tried to turn it into a monster truck that could leap over vehicles and make the skin on your face feel like it was peeling off. Years ago, I would have liked that.
Well, I found one listed in the Fort Wayne area, and I called the seller and asked a million questions. I must admit I had never operated an ATV. I had owned a Honda motorcycle back in the mid-1960s but other than that, I was a rookie.
We have all heard the old story about a used car being owned by a little old lady and only driven back and forth to church every Sunday. This ATV was actually owned by a lady that drove it around their country home, and it sounded like it was just what I wanted.
I saw a picture of it, and it looked great. It was a 2006 Honda Rancher 350ES. It was red with black vinyl trim, and it had the front and rear carrier racks. I made an appointment to drive up and see it. I was somewhat embarrassed that the lady had to show me how to operate it.
I had seen several other ATVs that had a much higher asking price that were not what I was interested in purchasing, but I was really impressed that this ATV looked almost like new, with very low operating hours, and had been maintained on a regular basis. They had documented papers of every servicing that had been done.
I told the lady, her husband, and son what I wanted an ATV for, and while they were not hunters, they also felt the ATV would do whatever I wanted. I asked them if they would hold the ATV until the next afternoon because I had to borrow my grandson's trailer to get it home. I gave them a deposit, and the next day, I brought it home.
Like a young kid with a new toy, I started adding accessories to make the Critter-Getter more into a deer hunting machine. I added a 2,500-lb. winch, an LED light bar, a gun/bow carrying rack on the front, and a Battery Tender Jr. on-board charger, and eventually four brand-new, super-duty tires, and a heavy-duty ATV cover.
It was fun playing with the ATV in the backyard and familiarizing myself with how everything worked. I felt like a kid with a new toy. I washed and waxed it, and just to be safe, I decided to replace the battery. I also discovered that the “ES” on the name stood for Electric Shift, and it was almost like having an automatic transmission on your car. You didn't have to use a floor shift. You simply pushed an up/down button with your left thumb, and that would upshift and downshift through the gears.
Everything worked perfectly, but after about three years, it started developing an issue. I guess several people owning the ATVs with the ES function started having problems. I had to ride it back to the truck several times when it refused to upshift or downshift.
I contacted several people who had been recommended to me and who had some knowledge about working on ATVs, and it appeared the issue had been corrected. But a number of times, it would start right up on the trailer but would not shift into reverse. When it did shift into reverse, it would not shift up into any of the forward gears.
I had a number of people work on the issue, and it acted better than when it would refuse to shift. I had one gentleman tell me he had installed an electronic bypass kit that eliminated 80 percent of the issues with the ES models. I ordered one of those kits. It was a tedious task that required disconnecting and removing a bunch of things, but after a few days, my friend and I got everything connected.
It still had the shifting problem.
After talking with a young man in Walton who was a very intelligent mechanic, I asked him what he thought about me ordering a foot shifter and eliminating the electronic buttons altogether. He thought we could do that and give it a try.
I ordered the foot shifter, and he installed it. It has worked perfectly ever since. I just had to get used to using my left foot to push the shifter rod down for reverse and then raising my left foot and toe to upshift into first through fifth gears. That foot shifter was installed a little bit over a year ago, and I wish I had done it sooner.
The main purpose of this article is, if you own an older Honda or other ATV that has the ES system and you start having shift issues, you might consider converting to a foot shifter. I purchased mine on eBay, and it was approximately $25. That certainly solved my shift issues.
Not everyone can afford the price of a brand-new ATV. A good, used ATV might be a better option. If you start experiencing shift issues, this was the answer for my issues. It might be the cure for yours as well.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently put out its May newsletter. I am including a couple items of local interest.
Welcome Weekend at Indiana State Parks
Celebrate the kickoff of the outdoor recreation season with free admission to all Indiana State Park properties on Sunday, May 4, the second day of Welcome Weekend and the opening day of Visit Indiana Week.
Enjoy hiking, picnicking, wildlife watching, and exploring the latest park improvements without paying an entrance fee on May 4. Whether you’re a longtime visitor or planning your first adventure, this is the perfect opportunity to discover what’s new across Indiana’s state parks, from updated playgrounds and trail enhancements to new interpretive exhibits and accessibility features.
Find a full list of Indiana State Parks and see what’s new this year at on.IN.gov/stateparks. First-time visitors can get helpful tips for making the most of their trip at on.IN.gov/dnr-welcome.
Join us in celebrating Indiana’s natural beauty free of charge on May 4.
Indiana’s Free Fishing Days
This year’s Free Fishing Days are May 4, June 7-8, and Sept. 27. While there are no licenses or stamps required on these special days, all regulations, such as seasons, bag limits, and size limits, still apply.
Free Fishing Days offer Indiana residents the opportunity to try fishing for the first time, without having to purchase a fishing license or trout/salmon stamps.
If you already have your annual fishing license, this is a perfect opportunity to take friends and family who haven’t been fishing before. Helping new anglers experience the fun and excitement that can be had out on the water is as fun as it is rewarding.
Not sure where to go fishing? Check out the Where To Fish map and find your new favorite fishing spot.