On the trail with Can-Am’s latest Defender side-by-sides

In late March 2025, all-terrain vehicle maker Can-Am invited Outdoor Canada to attend a press ride in southern Florida to test drive the Defender side-by-side. As the magazine’s editor-at-large, former managing editor Bob Sexton was more than happy to live up to the “at large” part of his title, so he flew south for the event. Here’s some highlights from Bob’s trip, along with his impressions of the machine.

The Location

Located east of Lake Okeechobee, 40 kilometres northwest of West Palm Beach, the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area is part of the larger Everglades ecosystem. Comprising 60,000 acres of slash pine flatwoods, cypress swamps and freshwater marshes, the area is open year-round to fishing (hunting is also open at various times of the year). With kilometres of rough roads and meandering trails, it’s home to a variety of wildlife, including wild turkeys, feral hogs, white-tailed deer, bobcats and numerous birds such as roseate spoonbills, wood storks, ibises, egrets and tricoloured herons. And ‘gators, of course.

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