Founder Addison Edmonds has been working with Can-Am to build the ultimate waterfowl rig this season: a 2021 Defender Max side-by-side, outfitted with products from a host of fantastic brands to be donated at the inaugural Ducks Unlimited Expo later this year. Here’s an in-depth look at the build.
Probably the single most important addition you can have on a UTV is storage, so we turned to the pros at the Quack Rack Performance Shop for this solution, and oh did they deliver. On the build is the complete suite of Elite Series storage solutions, including the Front Rack, Rear Rack, and Roof Basket paired with a QR Roof. Being able to haul more gear in an organized and secure way gives you a huge advantage in the field, and saves crucial time in the setup and breakdown phases of your hunt.
Stingray LED has decked out the rig with some of the highest quality LED lights in the industry. When you’re ready to set up decoys and turn on all of the LEDs on the front and sides of the racks, you don’t need a flashlight or headlamp. It lights up everything. These guys have thought through the details as well and included rock lights for the wheel wells and dome lights throughout the interior of the build.
We were sure to include a good quality set of tires and wheels on the build. We are using Fuel UTV Tech Beadlock wheels with 32” EFX MotoVator Tires. A nice set of oversized tires will give you that extra ground clearance to keep you moving and improve your ride on uneven ground. Additionally, these tires impressed us by how well they performed in mud while still providing a smooth and stable ride riding at higher speeds on gravel roads
We made sure to have the S3 Front Winch and Rear Winch Bumpers from Can-Am. You never know when you get too deep and need to winch yourself (or a buddy) out of a hairy situation, and having a front and rear winch means you can (usually) make it out of those situations. Along this same line of thought on the build are the Extreme Front Bumper Plates and Front Corner Protectors from Can-Am.
We duck hunt. A lot. Lifetime Decoys have become an integral part of our spread, so four dozen mallard decoys are part and parcel with the build. Pro tip: these decoys make a great trailer block if you find yourself needing to swap trucks with a buddy while hauling this Can-Am in the middle of nowhere.
It wouldn’t be a completed build without the best kennel on the market, we included a Mossy Oak edition G1™ Intermediate kennel and tie-down straps so your four-legged hunting companion can travel in overbuilt, Made in the USA safety. And since inclement weather is a guarantee in the pursuit of waterfowl, we also included our All-Weather Kit in Mossy Oak Bottomland.
All photos by: Aaron Davis
Interested in reading more Gunner content? Check out our blog on The Science Behind a Proper Kennel Fit.
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