2017 Can-Am Defender Mossy Oak Hunting Edition Preview

Perhaps the most interesting 2017 model introduced by Can-Am is the Defender Mossy Oak Hunting Edition.

While any Defender model would suit the needs of most any outdoorsman, the new Mossy Oak Hunting Edition was purpose-built with hunters in mind.

When Can-Am built this Defender, it started with the XT package, which includes a 4,500-pound winch, 14-inch cast aluminum wheels  (blacked out on this model), 27-inch Maxxis Birhorn 2.0 tires, roof, enclosed under-seat storage, full-skid plate and three driving modes (Eco, Normal and Work). That’s a laundry list of extras, but it is only the beginning for the Mossy Oak Hunting Edition Defender.

Hunting Edition Extras

Take one look at this Defender and the most obvious addition is the water-dipped Mossy Oak Break-Up Country camo finish. Can-Am boasts the finish is more resistant to scratching, mineral deposits and sun fading.

Another addition that hunters will appreciate is the Double Kolpin Stronghold gun boots. These feature the largest holding capacity of all Kolpin Gun Boot cases and boast removable foam and nylon Impact liner that help keep your firearms safe and secure. The boots fit firearms up to 52 inches in total length with room for optics and bipods.

Those gun boots can mount to Can-Am’s own Headache Rack. This rack is designed to protect cab components from the cargo load and is made of heavy-gauge steel with a dual protective anti-corrosion coating to resist scratching and rust.

You can hold additional items with the LinQ-compatible tool holders. These feature a swivel-latch so you can secure tools in a variety of positions.

Should you harvest an animal at last light, you can turn to the Defender to help find it. This Defender is outfitted with an LED high-intensity RAM spotlight mounted on a rubber-coated double ball and socket system. The light plugs into a new 12V lighter-type DC outlet located behind the driver seat’s panel.

When Mother Nature is having a bad day, you can protect yourself and the cab of the Defender with the half windshield. Made of high-impact polycarbonate, Can-Am says the half-windshield won’t yellow or crack and features a reverse angle lip to deflect airflow from reaching the cab.

Adding further protection to the Defender Mossy Oak Hunting Edition is a heavy duty front bumper. Built with steel tube construction, the bumper has a dual protective anti-corrosion coating and is light-kit compatible.

Finally, a left-side mirror is designed to help the driver navigate tight trails on the way to or from the hunting spot.

Defender Attributes

At the heart of the Defender Mossy Oak Hunting Edition is the larger of the two Defender powerplants – the Rotax HD10 V-Twin. This engine delivers a claimed 72 horsepower, along with 61 lb-ft of torque. According to Can-Am, the HD10 delivers 20% more torque at 4,000 rpm than the top selling competitor in the segment.

Like the rest of the Defender lineup, the Mossy Oak Hunting Edition comes with the Can-Am PRO-TORQ transmission with Quick-Response System for enhanced low-speed riding.

Double A-arm front suspension and Torsional Trailing Arm rear suspension control 10 inches of travel at all four corners using twin-tube gas-charged shocks.

Other Defender features include four 220mm disc brakes, two-inch receiver hitch, 2,000-pound towing capacity, 1,000-pound cargo bed capacity, 10-6-gallon fuel tank, tilt steering, four cup holders and a removable toolbox that fits in the open dash.

The Can-Am Defender Mossy Oak Hunting Edition retails for $19,699.

2017 Can-Am Defender Mossy Oak Hunting Edition Specs

Engine	72 hp, Rotax 976 cc, V-twin, liquid cooled
Transmission	PRO-TORQ transmission with Quick Response System (QRS), high airflow ventilation and Electronic Drive Belt Protection Extra-L / H / N / R / P
Drivetrain	True 4-mode traction system: 2×4 open rear dif., 2×4 locked rear dif., 4×4 open rear dif., 4×4 locked rear dif. Visco-Lok QE auto-locking front dif.
Driving Assistance	Electronic Hill Descent Control; ECO / Work / Normal modes
Fuel Capacity	10.6 gal.
Front Brakes	Dual 220 mm ventilated disc brakes with hydraulic twin-piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Dual 220 mm ventilated disc brakes with hydraulic single-piston calipers
Front Suspension	Double A-arm / 10 in. (25.4 cm) travel; Twin tube gas charged shocks
Rear Suspension	TTA-HD with external sway bar / 10 in. (25.4 cm) travel; Twin tube gas charged shocks
Front Tires	Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 27 x 9 x 14 in. (68.6 x 22.9 x 35.6 cm)
Rear Tires	Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 27 x 11 x 14 in. (68.6 x 27.9 x 35.6 cm)
Wheels	14-in. black cast-aluminum
Dry Weight	1658 lbs
Length/Width/Height	125.6 x 64 x 78 in.
Ground Clearance	11.0 in.
Cargo Bed Capacity	1,000 lbs
Tailgate Load Capacity	250 lbs
Towing Capacity	2,000 lbs
Standard Colors	Mossy Oak Break-Up County Camo