nov
2018
cover story
I wanted oversize tires, but not large, knobby mud-
type ATV tires. Bigger tires with more tread would
be good for woods traction, but mud tires wear
quickly when used on hard roads. I knew the cart
would be used on roads around my house during
the hunting off-season, so mine has four oversize,
deep-tread lawn-tractor tires.
I also had the golf bag racks removed on the rear
of the cart, installing a heavy-duty metal frame
cargo carrier. A better choice would have been a
“flip seat,” which is a large, rear seat that’s great for
passengers. But when “flipped” over, it becomes
a rugged, large cargo rack ideal for toting tree
stands and other woods gear. A “flip seat” makes a
hunting cart more versatile.
My cart also has a true “lift,” raising the chassis a
full 4 inches higher than standard carts for more
clearance in the woods. This has been handy in
running the vehicle over logs and stumps, across
creeks, etc.
A backup “beep” is a common safety feature on
most golf carts, but should be disconnected for si-
lent hunting. My hunting cart does not have head-
lights or taillights, but they can be added for about
$100, or a kit can be purchased and installed on
your own for less.
Thus far my cart is everything and more that I
wanted for a fast, quiet, hunting vehicle. In fact,
the first weekend I had the cart I was scouting
with it along a gas line on our hunt property. I
was checking a few deer trails and crossings, and
when I topped a high hill, standing in the gas line
feeding were a pair of deer about 100 yards away.
I stopped, checked them in my rifle scope, as they
fed oblivious that I’d just driven upon them. One of
the deer was a 15-inch, 8-pointer, which I quickly
collected with my .270.
I’m still amazed at how powerful a golf cart is
climbing off-road hills and toting a remarkable
amount of hunting gear and people. I’ve left the
roof on my cart, but removing it is not difficult, and
will make a hunting cart more garage friendly plus
easier to maneuver around low-canopy woods.
Maintenance has been virtually free — just keep
the batteries filled with water and charge when
needed. Charging is easy, and an entire weekend
of hunting is possible out of one full charge. But
when in doubt, charge the vehicle. A golf cart
weighs about 1,000 pounds, and it is not easily
pushed around, unlike an ATV. Even loading a golf
cart into a low trailer is difficult using people pow-
er. So keep the batteries “hot.”
Also, because of their battery weight, a golf cart
should be loaded rear first onto a trailer, which
keeps swaying to a minimum while highway towing.
While there are still some things a gas-powered
ATV can do that a modified golf cart can’t, for
much hunting a golf cart is the way to go.
Photo:
A sampling of some of Great Day, Inc’s golf cart
accessories product line. For more information
and ordering visit www.greatdayinc.com
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WWW.GOLFCAROPTIONS.COM