Hunting off a mountain bike?

[sjsmallfield]

I was just curious if any of you guys have used mountain bikes to get back to your starting points? There are alot of logging roads where I hunt that I would like to access but most are locked up.(no motorized vehicles) I have hunted alot of the area for years and have always walked in. I just thought it would be cool to be able to cover a few miles quickly on the bike and walk in from there. It seems that when I walk in I always run into guy even a couple miles back. I just thought this would be an easier way to get to a starting point way back in. Let me know what you think.

 

[Rob P]

When I tried this years ago I didn't find it to make things too much easier. Having a heavy pack on a bike is a challenge. And going up hill was tough. However downhill is faster. Maybe now that my gear has gotten lighter and with the right pack on I may have a different opinion.

 

[ssliger]

I was planning on trying this year. I am even thinking about buying an older kid trailer to pack out game if I get lucky.

 

[dustin ray]

I do it i try to go as light as posable. living in SO Cal i get a lot of looks when i ride my bike from my house to the trail head with camo back pack and a bow.

 

[25contender]

I tried it years ago and it was way more trouble than it was worth. Especially with a pack and bow. By the second day it was in the back of the truck for the rest of the trip. Of course there are no roads where I hunt just trail heads.
The big problem I had is I would end the day chasing elk a mile away from the bike and then had to go back and retrieve it!!

 

[Muleys 24/7]

When hunting certain areas I use a mountain bike to get back in there faster.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

If you decide to use a mountain bike, please be careful, wear a helmet, and don't fall off and get a boo boo on your knee.


Actually, I have thought of doing that here in Oregon where a lot of great gravel roads are gated on private timber land. What I think would make it work well would be a good bike trailer, to haul your stuff in, and to haul an animal out.

 

[N.Y.ArcheryMadMan]

I have used a mountain bike for years and love it. One Opening Day my Father and I took out 3 mature dear out of the woods. The key thing is Get A Good Deer Dragger and Mount it too the the bike. Using the dragger hooked to the Bike I have carried in my Bow or Gun with either my Treestand or Blind... Works Great.... End up to my Spot alot Quicker and a little less sweaty.... Food for thought... Make sure when you mount dragger to bike it can swivel side to side so you can make turns.....

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I've used a bike for scouting a lot. I haven't hunted off of one but it seemed to work well for me. It is tough for sure riding up hill be man you can sure get out in a hurry come dark.

 

[humbletaxi]

I did it last year. It worked pretty good but once the pack was full of meat it was REAL hard to balance. I didn't really hunt off of it but just used it to get me back about 2 miles then walked from there to my area, saved a lot of time in the morning though.

 

[dustin ray]

I just rode up today to set up game cameras. in 8 miles with 4000 gain i was up and back 4 hours

 

[hardstalk]

Never have done it. But I recall in cameron hanes book he mentioned the benefits of a mountain bike. Seems like a solid method if you get it dialed pre-season.

 

[packmule]

I've seen guys do it with trailers on them (looked like child carriers). I'd wear bright colors.

 

[sjsmallfield]

Thanks for all the great ideas. I pretty much only plan on using it during bow season so the trailer would be great if I want to take my treestand in with me.

 

[sjsmallfield]

If you decide to use a mountain bike, please be careful, wear a helmet, and don't fall off and get a boo boo on your knee.


Actually, I have thought of doing that here in Oregon where a lot of great gravel roads are gated on private timber land. What I think would make it work well would be a good bike trailer, to haul your stuff in, and to haul an animal out.

The private timber land is the exact reason that I want to try the mountain bike. Alot of the area I used to hunt had alot of the gates open but almost all have been locked for a few years now. Oh, and don't worry Umpqua. I'll try not to get a boo boo!

 

[tim]

6 bulls and a buck have came out on my mtn bike and trailer. Great way to get farther than most. However I am a mountain biker with a quiver of bikes.

 

[tim]

Don't knock it until you try it.

 

[sjsmallfield]

Hey Tim. Congrats on all your success. Thanks for posting the pics of the trailer. Could you tell me what brand. It is exactly what I am looking for.

 

[dustin ray]

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Don't knock it until you try it.

cool pics tim Mountain biking is a great way to get around and stay in shape are you on Strava

 

[LintonOutdoors]

I grew up hunting the Oregon Coastal Range and during Sept alot of timber companies closed roads to motor vehicles due to fire danger. So we used to mtn bike in all the time to hunt. We also mtn biked a lot during the summer for fun as well so we had good bikes, which makes a difference. I usually involved a semi-painful 3-4 miles up into an area (typically 20-45 min ride). Gets in you farther than most hunters will hike. We pulled a bike trailer sometimes, its easier than riding with a pack on your back. I actually rigged an ATV rifle holders to my handle bars and carried my bow that way a couple times. The less backpack weight on your back the more comfortable the ride (thus the reason why we used a lightweight bike trailer sometimes) If you bike a lot year round, then mtn bike hunting is awesome. If you just pick up your bike August 30th and try riding into an area 3-4 days in a row you are gonna be hurting by day 3. I really liked that I could bike for 45mins in the morning into a spot but then can bike back down to the truck in the dark in just 15 minutes with my headlamp. * I unfortunately have never had the experience of taking elk meat out with me on my mtn bike. I am sure it is not fun but i have seen the Born and Raised Outdoors guys and another couple of guys doing it consistently so it must work pretty well.