Snowmobile or Tracked ATV?

[Machias]

Pro and Cons of each for hunting purposes.  I am looking to get either a snowmobile or a tracked up ATV for lion and bobcat hunting in Idaho.  What are your thoughts on each?  Thanks!

[CAMPMEAT]

Snowmobile can only be used in snow. I'm going to have tracks put on my Can-am one day. I use my ATV all year. Tracks are about
$3500 + - plus install. My Can-am was $8200 in 2008. Also, you'll need a big bore ATV in my opion, to power those tracks.

[GoldTip]

You can buy a good used snowmobile for the cost of a set of just the tracks for an ATV, and it will be a vehicle truly designed to be on snow.  I have an ATV, and would just as soon buy a good used snowmobile as opposed to putting track on my ATV.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I have been asking myself the same question recently.

[gasman]

The tracks are cool, but the additional cost for them 

I think I would get a snowmobile bor the money.

But I still would like the tracks to go any where I wanted, when I wanted 

[chester]

I have a lil bit of experience with both. If you have the $$$$$ go get the tracks for your quad. they will let you do anything you can think of and when it dries out you can put the wheels and tires on. If funds are tight though and you already have a quad. Get a sled. Much cheaper way to go but it could be limiting. there may be instances where you will need to bring both to get around effectivly. 

[Woodchuck]

http://www.mattracks.com/

[Skyvalhunter]

So whats a good reliable make and model of snowmobile if a person was not going to buy new?

[Woodchuck]

the polaris xlt triples were really good sleds 

[GoldTip]

the polaris xlt triples were really good sleds 

I would agree they were really good sleds, but pretty heavy.  You can find a good twin that will offer more power and be much lighter as well.  You can find a good used 2001-2003 700 RMK in the 3,500 neighborhood pretty easy.  Another good sled would be any of the Yamaha Phazers, like a MTN lite if you are of average size and weight, less than say 180lbs would give you all the sled and track you'd need 97% of the time. Bigger guys are going to want to ride something in the 600-700cc class with a min. 141" track.

[MtnMuley]

A good long track sled in the 600-800 range is ideal in my opinion for pursuing cats in the winter.  Put your dog boxes or traps on a pull behind sled, and you're set.

[Machias]

The type of riding I would do while looking for bobcat and lion tracks (in Idaho) is really hard on sleds.  Slow driving and lots of starting and stopping.  I was thinking about getting a quad and putting some trax on them so I could use the machine 12 months a year.  With a snow mobile it's only good for 3 to 4 months a year and then if you have a winter like last year even less.  I'd love to get a good Ski Doo Skandic for lion hunting, but never see one of those for sale, used.

[MtnMuley]

I've used the Scandic and they were great.  Also, Polaris made a Bearcat (I believe), that is similar in comparison.  Good towing sleds, that could putt along and idle well.

[high country]

you can't beat a ski-doo tundra for cat hunting. long wide track, hi-lo and reverse, light weight sipps fuel and any 12 yearold girl can get one unstuck. I spent 90 miles on a 700mtn max that is prepped for hunting and have other big mountain sleds, but my buds who rock the tundras love them. get it done and weigh 200lbs less.

[whacker1]

I only know of a couple of people that have been running tracks on their ATV's.  They go pretty good, but very expensive, because you need the big dogs to power them.  Yamaha Grizzly 660's and up or the Can-Am 800 etc.  You can replace a belt on a sled if the stop and go is too hard on them.