Polaris Sportsman 850 Owner's Manual page 91

Shock Loading
4. Never use recovery straps with your winch. Recovery straps are
designed to stretch and can store energy. This stored energy in the
recovery strap is released if a winch cable fails making the event
even more hazardous. Similarly, never use elastic "bungie" cords
for winching.
5. Never use the winch to tie down a vehicle to a trailer or other
transportation vehicle. This type of use also causes shock loading
that can cause damage to the winch, winch cable, or vehicles used.
Your winch cable is designed and tested to withstand the loads
produced by the winch motor when operated from a stationary
vehicle. Always remember that the winch and winch cable are NOT
designed for shock loading.
WINCH GUIDE
89