My Can-Am Maverick X3 wasn’t designed for hunting. I know, shocker. No, my UTV was designed to go fast, hit jumps, and “SEND IT!” I’ve done that, sure, but me being me, I’ve never been one to listen to manufacturer recommendations. Likewise, I don’t have the money to have dedicated go-fast and hunting rigs. I have one, and it’d better do both.
And that’s how I’ve built it out. A machine that can straddle the line and help me achieve both of those goals.
But there are folks out there who can have two UTVs in their garage. Or, if they don’t have the need for both going fast and taking animals, they’ll have just one and be able to hone it into the scalpel they need to do the job to perfection. Think Travis Pastrana’s Maverick R vs. the Defender Max build from 24.7Hunt we’re about to talk about.
See, when you don’t have to worry about being capable everywhere, you can focus and make it as capable as it can be in the single place you take it. One built for muddy swamps, lakeside bogs, and more. One that’d get you out into the sticks to chase ducks and come home with a freezer full of the waterfowl.
I first got put onto 24.7Hunt’s Can-Am Defender Max through Can-Am’s own Instagram mindlessly scrolling one day. I may also be going stir crazy because it ain’t hunting season yet, and hunting content no matter the target is hunting content. And I’ve been planning a lot for later this season, but so far I’m still in just the planning mode and I really need to get back out into the field soon.
But I wanted to highlight this build for two reasons. First, it’s cool to see that these dudes are just out in the elements using what seems like a base-model Can-Am Defender Max. No doors, no HVAC, no pomp or circumstance. Yes, it’d probably be nice to have doors during waterfowl season as it’s cold on those mornings, but you don’t need them to get out there.
The 24.7Hunt guys also added a wide array of OEM and aftermarket parts. They’ve also got the hitch accessory, allowing the crew to pull a trailer for either boats or decoy setups, meaning they’ve got extra space in the bed, as well as on the roof. Speaking of.
In addition to all the goodies directly from Can-Am, 24.7Hunt added racks—plural—from QuackRack to above the bed and the front of the UTV. The front rack attaches directly to the UTV’s push bar, while a bed system give them the ability to stash dog kennels, decoys, or whatever in the bed without losing storage space. Accessory lighting is also everywhere, so when you’re leaving for your spot, or leaving said spot after a successful day, you can actually see where you’re going and, hopefully, not get stuck.
But if that happens, they’ve also added a winch to the UTV. Listen, you’ve got to be prepared.
I figured that the hunters in the group are probably feeling similar to me in their restlessness during the off-season. So allow us all to live vicariously through the 24.7Hunt folks and daydream about hunting season. Why is it so far away still? Anyone want to go bear hunting with me?
