Getting Your ATV/Side-by-Side Ready for Hunting Season
Hunting season in British Columbia opens in early September for most regions, and August is exactly when most hunters discover their machine has a belt that needed replacing six months ago. Getting your Can-Am ATV or Side-by-Side prepped now means you are not scrambling for a service appointment the week before your first trip into the backcountry. Here is what to check, what to add, and what GVPS has in stock to get you ready.
Why August Is the Right Time to Prep Your Machine
Most BC hunters wait until Labour Day weekend to think about their machine. By then, the maintenance and repairs service at Greater Vancouver Powersports are booked out two to three weeks. Parts that need ordering from BRP, a specific belt, a filter kit, a winch mount for your model, take time to arrive. August gives you the window to get everything done before the rush.
BC's general open seasons for deer, elk, and moose typically open in early September, with some management units opening in late August. Most hunters running an ATV or Side-by-Side are heading into the Thompson (Region 3), Central BC in the Cariboo (Region 5), or Northern BC across the Skeena (Region 6) and Omineca/Peace (Region 7). These areas are far from your nearest Greater Vancouver Powersports dealership, if something goes wrong your machine needs to be ready before the month is out.
Pre-Season Service: What to Check Before You Head into the Backcountry
Engine and drivetrain
The belt is the first thing to inspect on any CVT-driven Can-Am. A belt showing cracks, glazing, or unusual wear should be replaced before the season, not after it snaps in a creek bed 20 km from the nearest road. Oil change, air filter, and spark plugs round out the basic engine service. If your machine has been sitting since spring, check the fuel system for varnish buildup, particularly on carbureted models.
Brakes, suspension, and wheel bearings
BC hunting terrain is hard on suspension components. River bottom crossings, shale slopes, and loaded cargo beds all accelerate wear on ball joints, A-arm bushings, and wheel bearings. Have a technician check for play in the front end and listen for bearing noise on a loaded test run. Soft or spongy brakes are a non-starter in steep terrain, flush brake fluid if it has not been done in two years.
Electrical and lighting
Early morning and late evening, when the BC game is the most active, are also when you most need reliable lighting. Check that all stock lights are functioning, inspect the battery voltage under load, and verify that any aftermarket wiring you have added is not drawing from the battery when the machine is off. A dead battery in the dark at the end of a hunt is a preventable problem.
Tires
If you are still running the OEM tires that came with your machine and putting it through a serious backcountry, August is the time to evaluate an upgrade. Tread depth matters less than tread pattern for BC conditions: a dedicated mud or all-terrain tire handles the wet clay and creek crossings of the Lower Mainland and Interior far better than a stock utility tire. Ask the parts team at GVPS Langley or Chilliwack about fitment options for your specific model.
Essential Accessories for BC Hunting Season
Cargo and storage
The Can-Am LinQ system is the most practical accessory upgrade for hunters running a Defender or Outlander. Soft bags, hard cases, and cargo boxes mount tool-free onto the rear rack and come off just as fast at the camp. For the Defender's cargo bed, a bed liner and a lockable cargo box protect gear from weather and brush. Panniers and front-rack bags expand storage on the Outlander without adding permanent hardware.
Winch
A winch is not optional for serious backcountry hunting in BC. When you are miles from a road and axle-deep in mud, self-recovery is the difference between a story you tell and a situation that requires calling in a favour. Can-Am's factory winch mount kits integrate cleanly with the Defender and Outlander front bumper. A 3,500 lb rated winch handles most solo-recovery scenarios. If you are running a loaded Defender with a full cargo bed, step up to 4,500 lb.
Rifle and bow mounts
A proper rifle scabbard or gun boot mounted to the machine keeps your firearm secure, accessible, and protected from trail debris. Soft scabbards mount to the front rack or roll cage and fit most bolt-action rifles. Hard-sided gun cases secure to the rear cargo system on the Defender. Crossbow and compound bow mounts are available for both ATV and Side-by-Side platforms. Check with the GVPS parts team for fitment options compatible with your model year.
LED light bars and auxiliary lighting
A 20 to 30-inch LED light bar mounted to the front of your Defender or Outlander changes how you move at dawn and dusk. For trail use in BC, auxiliary lighting is legal and practical. Wiring harnesses for Can-Am models are plug-and-play from most major accessory brands. Add a set of smaller pod lights to the rear if you are regularly reversing a trailer or loading at the camp after dark.
Camo wraps and seat covers
A full-machine camo wrap or camo seat covers are the low-commitment way to blend your machine into the landscape without modifying the paint or resale value. Neoprene seat covers also protect the OEM seats from the inevitable wet and muddy end-of-season hunts. Mossy Oak and Realtree patterns fit BC's mixed conifer and deciduous terrain.
Can-Am Defender vs. Outlander: Which Platform Works Better for Hunting?
Can-Am Defender - the Side-by-Side built for load
The Defender is the hunting Side-by-Side benchmark for a reason. The cargo bed handles a quartered elk, two hunters, and camp gear without complaint. The HD11 powertrain pulls serious grades when loaded, and the Defender XT HD11, available at GVPS, adds a full enclosed cab with a 10.25-inch display, relevant for early-season hunts where morning temperatures in the interior drop hard. The Defender MAX seats up to six, which covers a camp truck role if you are running a group.
Can-Am Outlander - agility where the Defender can't reach
For terrain where a Side-by-Side is too wide, tight timber, steep sidehill game trails, or areas with strict width restrictions, the Outlander is the tool. The Outlander XT 1000R available at GVPS Langley delivers the horsepower to climb loaded and the suspension to handle the rough ground under it. The Outlander MAX XT 700 is the two-up option for hunters who want ATV agility with passenger capability.
BC Hunting Terrain: What Your Machine Actually Needs to Handle
Fraser Valley and Chilliwack - river bottom and agricultural access
The hunting terrain around Chilliwack and the Fraser Valley east means wet clay, river bottom crossings, and agricultural access roads that turn to mud by September. Traction and ground clearance matter more than top speed here. The Defender's wheel travel and cargo capacity are built for exactly this. A good mud tire and a winch cover the scenarios where the trail gives out.
Interior BC - elevation, shale, and creek crossings
If you are heading into the Thompson Nicola, the Okanagan highlands, or further north, the terrain shifts: looser shale on the climbs, longer distances between fuel, and creek crossings that can run high well into September depending on the snowpack. Carry an extra belt, a tire plug kit, and more fuel than you think you need. An Outlander or Defender with a front winch and all-terrain tires covers the majority of Interior BC hunting terrain without modification beyond what is listed above.
Book Your Pre-Season Service at GVPS - August Is Your Window
Hunting season does not wait, and neither should your prep. Greater Vancouver Powersports has BRP-certified technicians at both Langley and Chilliwack, the only dedicated BRP service locations in the Lower Mainland.
Pre-season service covers the full inspection above plus any parts your machine needs. The parts department stocks common wear items, belts, filters, brake pads, for current Can-Am ATV and SxS models, and accessories can be ordered and installed at the same time as your service appointment. A belt replacement, a winch install, and a set of proper tires is the difference between a machine that takes you anywhere in BC and one that strands you somewhere you do not want to be stranded.
Book before the September backlog hits. Call GVPS Langley at 604-888-8700 or GVPS Chilliwack at 604-795-7800, or browse current ATV and Side-by-side inventory at gvps.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the hunting season open in BC for ATV and Side-by-Side users?
General open seasons vary by region and species. In most Lower Mainland and Interior BC management units, deer season opens in early to mid-September. Moose and elk seasons vary by region, check the current BC Hunting Regulations Synopsis published by the BC Wildlife Branch for exact dates in your management unit. August is the right time to prep your machine regardless of your specific opener.
What ATV accessories are most useful for backcountry hunting in BC?
A winch is the single highest-impact addition for BC backcountry hunting, self-recovery capability is not optional in remote terrain. After that: a cargo bag or rack system sized for your load, auxiliary lighting for dawn and dusk, and a proper rifle or bow mount. Tire upgrades (mud or all-terrain) are worth considering if you are running OEM tires in serious terrain.
How often should I service my Can-Am ATV or Side-by-Side?
BRP recommends a full service inspection every 100 hours of use or annually, whichever comes first. For a machine that sits over winter and gets heavy use in fall, a pre-season inspection in August checks everything that the off-season may have affected: belt condition, fluid levels, bearing wear, and battery health. Do not assume a machine that ran fine in May is ready for September.
Is the Can-Am Defender or Outlander better for hunting in BC?
It depends on terrain and use. The Defender is the right tool when you need cargo capacity, a second seat, or an enclosed cab for cold conditions. The Outlander is faster, narrower, and more agile on technical terrain where a Side-by-Side is too wide. Many serious BC hunters own both, one for access, one for camp work. If you are buying one machine, the Defender MAX covers the most scenarios.
Can I get a winch installed on my Can-Am at GVPS?
Yes. The GVPS parts and service team at both Langley and Chilliwack can source and install winches for current Can-Am ATV and Side-by-Side models. BRP factory winch kits integrate cleanly with the front bumper on Outlander and Defender platforms. Bring your machine in for a service appointment and discuss your setup at the same time.
