Mountain bike elk hunting???

by **Russellm66** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 1]

Has anyone every used a mountain bike to elk hunt.

by **six** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 2]

I hauled my bike to Colorado last year. 1300 +miles. Never had a chance to ride it. Too much snow and ice. Hope to take it back this year. Sure would like to see some photographs of some guys who do.

by **Navesgane** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 3]

How would you use it exactly? Is it to just get from point a to b down the road or gradual trail?
I would think one could miss a lot riding a bike instead of slipping and glassing more.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 4]

Jeff, they're mostly used for gated roads where vehicular traffic is prohibited. Some guys use variations of trailers that they actually attach to the bike and haul their elk out. If the landscape (gated road) has some serious inclines, you'll need to dismount and manually push your bike up/down the hills which is still better in many cases than having a 1/4 or 1/2 an elk on your back

A guy can also "strap" quarters of elk to their bike and push the bike out... again, oftentimes better than having it on your back for XX miles. Here's a pic of my mountain bike with a Montana Bow Scabbard on it.

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by **Willie makit** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 5]

After watching the "30 days DVD" I have wondered how many states allow them and just how many places it would be advantageous to use one. I like the idea of it though.

RJ, that's a nice looking bike, do you have a pull buggy ?

by **Wyo67** » 03 09, 2014 • [Post 6]

Navesgane wrote:How would you use it exactly? Is it to just get from point a to b down the road or gradual trail?
I would think one could miss a lot riding a bike instead of slipping and glassing more.

We use them to get from point A to B. One of our spots is a couple of miles from where we park our ATV's and the first mile and a half or so is a thin slice of public land through private. That part of the trip isn't necessarily unhuntable, but at the end it opens up and we know where they typically bed, feed and water.

by **Ridge Ghost** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 7]

They work great for packing in to non-motorized areas. I have a kids cart I bought from craigslist that I use to haul gear and meat sometimes. It works great on gated logging roads, but is too wide to use on most singletracks.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 8]

Willie makit wrote:RJ, that's a nice looking bike, do you have a pull buggy ?

Thanks buddy. It's just an inexpensive Diamondback I picked up on the Army post I work on. I haven't used a cart yet but like Ridge Ghost shows, the kid cart is a great way to go without spending a ton of money. Here's a pic of an alternative way to get your meat out with a mountain bike if you don't pull a cart. Haven't done this yet but it sure looks like it would work.

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by **Lark Bunting** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 9]

Ridge Ghost wrote:They work great for packing in to non-motorized areas. I have a kids cart I bought from craigslist that I use to haul gear and meat sometimes. It works great on gated logging roads, but is too wide to use on most singletracks.

Classic! The pant leg is rolled up to avoid getting snagged in the sprocket!

by **Ridge Ghost** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 10]

Lark Bunting wrote:
Ridge Ghost wrote:They work great for packing in to non-motorized areas. I have a kids cart I bought from craigslist that I use to haul gear and meat sometimes. It works great on gated logging roads, but is too wide to use on most singletracks.

Classic! The pant leg is rolled up to avoid getting snagged in the sprocket!

Totally... because I've done that way too many times before!

by **ishy** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 11]

Done it in a couple of my areas, just depends on severity of inclines wether or not it's worth it. Try to keep one on hand for packing it can be a real time saver depending on kill location.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 12]

Ridge Ghost, what do you, have you, used to carry your bow while riding? I've used both the Montana Scabbard shown in my pic and just a Primos bow sling. The Montana Scabbard works well to secure my bow but I find that the bow is exposed to much more weather (dirt, dust, rain, mud, etc.) than when on my back in the Primos.

by **Swede** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 13]

I tried it a couple of times. I found myself pushing or carrying the bike way too much. I found they are better suited for roads closed to motorized vehicles, that are not too rough or steep. Maybe they are better suited for younger hunters. It was painfully obvious I am not 16 anymore.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 14]

Slim9300 (Conlan) gave me this tip a few years ago. Put "slime tubes" in your MT bike tires before venturing puting miles on the gated roads or pay the price of having to repair multiple flat tires

I don't use my MT bike near as much as he does but to date, I have not had a flat.

by **jswbga** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 15]

same here. I used a mountain bike once to get deep into a basin that had a great, relatively flat, and well maintained trailhead that was pretty long.

I rode in about 2 miles and ditched the bike. was very happy to ride it back out at end of day too.

I cant brag about the gear hauling, thoguh. I just used the pack straps to attach my bow across my pack sideways. fortunately, the trail was wide. any high speed "wing" connection would have been ugly.

since my pardners were slow picking me up...I then got to pedal about 7 miles (praise God.... downhill) to camp on the state HWY. definately got some funny looks.

because of the terrain, the bike would have been excellent for packing meat out, as a cart (not riding). unfortunately, there was no meat to pack out.

shane

by **Ridge Ghost** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 16]

Phantom16 wrote:Ridge Ghost, what do you, have you, used to carry your bow while riding? I've used both the Montana Scabbard shown in my pic and just a Primos bow sling. The Montana Scabbard works well to secure my bow but I find that the bow is exposed to much more weather (dirt, dust, rain, mud, etc.) than when on my back in the Primos.

If I am using the kid cart, I throw my pack in the cart and carry the bow on my back with a Primos sling. If I'm riding bike and no cart, I usually lash the bow to the backpack I'm wearing.

I thought about getting a bike scabbard or handle bar rack, but didn't like the idea of having the bow attached directly to the bike. It just seems like an awful lot of rattling for the bow to take. It would probably be fine, but I don't want to take any chances of a sight pin or rest rattling loose.

by **zpd307** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 17]

I am hoping to use mtn bike where we are going in Idaho. just as others have explained, from the gated trailhead there will be a 5-7 mile hike on a road that follows a creek. based on google earth it is a 1k ascent in 7 miles, so it shouldn't be too steep. we will have two kiddie carts to haul gear into camp and hopefully haul an elk or two or three out... I am really looking forward to not have all that weight on my back! I will have a definitive answer when we get out there in august to scout.

by **ishy** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 18]

Any of you see the full draw group from Wa, Born and Raised Outdoors. They do the mntn bikes with trailers. They claim they had something like four flats on thier first trip in! I thought either they don't ride at all the rest of the year or they really need to change thier wt per bike/trailer ratio. They did feel the need to have wiskey on hand which I'm sure doesn't help the wt limit.

by **zpd307** » 03 10, 2014 • [Post 19]

I bought that vid about a month ago. I was thinking the same thing about the flat tires. they were riding on the roads, so I don't see what could have caused so many of them. I have done some mtn biking through wooded bike courses with some pretty insane trails and haven't had a flat yet. is there something in the mtns that likes to eat tires? to each their own on their choice of celebrations, maybe bring a couple of those mini shot bottles

by **Washington Wapiti** » 03 11, 2014 • [Post 20]

Mountain bike hunting has definitely increased in popularity around these here Washington parts, for several years. We have A LOT of gated-off logging roads here that are pretty decent and lend themselves well to getting around on a Huffy . . . or Diamond Back.

I've only done it a few times and in certain situations it works great. You may have to push it mostly uphill for a couple of miles or so, but the ride coming back out can be awesome! Especially, if you have to make a quick jaunt down to your rig or whatever. And of course the dual purpose "mode of transport/meat hauler" is simply brilliant! What is not awesome is, if you come across unexpected wind-throw, road wash-out or some other obstruction and then have to carry your bike over or through it. Experienced that one, once. I also tried to make a quick duck under a tree that had fallen but was propped up by another tree. Everything cleared but my bow quiver, which snapped clean-off my bow. Oh the lessons we learn! Now I don't even have my mountain bike. It got ripped off . . . from a library. LOL

by **husky390** » 03 11, 2014 • [Post 21]

zpd307 wrote:I bought that vid about a month ago. I was thinking the same thing about the flat tires. they were riding on the roads, so I don't see what could have caused so many of them. I have done some mtn biking through wooded bike courses with some pretty insane trails and haven't had a flat yet. is there something in the mtns that likes to eat tires?

In the dirtbike world you can get a pinch flat from contacting a pointy rock that will pinch the tube against the rim causing a hole or tear in the tube. I'm guessing the same thing could happen with a bike tire on a gravel road. In one of the areas I hunt, I've seriously considered bringing a bike since it's an uphill hike up a logging road. I figured I could ride it out at night but the fear of wrecking and damaging my bow keeps me hiking instead.

by **zpd307** » 03 11, 2014 • [Post 22]

understandable, but I have had my bike through its paces on wooded mtn bike courses in which I am surprised I didn't get a flat or bend a rim. so I was a little surprised of the flats on a gravel road.... wasn't sure if some sort of extra tough mountain pine needle or something was the culprit out there. maybe I will have to invest in some Kevlar belted tires, have to get some new tires anyway.

by **Navesgane** » 03 16, 2014 • [Post 23]

Many flats actually happen from the tube rubbing or being pinched by the inside wheel rim where the spokes connect to it. Most bikes come with rim liners but often wear thin or are improperly reinstalled when replacing a tube. Also most stock ones are thin and cheap. You can get thicker after market liners fairly cheap.
Also heavy duty tubes are more puncture resistant.
There's also the tubeless tire route if you want to get really techy

http://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mecha ... iners.html

by **Lefty** » 03 17, 2014 • [Post 24]

Im going to try a bike for the evening trip to my blind. an old cow/elk path it should save me some time.
It will also be along for a better-than-walkin wayout if needed

by **Olydog09** » 03 18, 2014 • [Post 25]

I have used them as a night time locating tool. If you have a partner with another rig or you have a 4 wheeler you can find a 6-7 mile downhill road and quietly coast your way to the bottom listening for bulls and calling occasionally. Plant 1 rig or 4 wheeler at the bottom then you don't have to ride the bike back up hill.

by **Cha'tima** » 03 19, 2014 • [Post 26]

I use mine every year!!! I hunt in a walk in only area and most people hunt the edged and don't go in to far. I started having more success when I biked in about 13 miles. They are great when packing meet out to.

by **zpd307** » 03 19, 2014 • [Post 27]

brian, good to hear! i am hoping to be able to use ours out in Idaho. based on ge, we should be able to.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 19, 2014 • [Post 28]

Cha'tima wrote:I use mine every year!!! I hunt in a walk in only area and most people hunt the edged and don't go in to far. I started having more success when I biked in about 13 miles. They are great when packing meet out to.

Brian, how do you pack your elk meat out when MT biking way back in to your hunting area? Chunks of elk on your back? Pull trailer?

by **Cha'tima** » 03 19, 2014 • [Post 29]

Going into my hunting area is the hard part its mostly up hill. I have a large back pack I overload and then I relax while the wight does the rest to get me out. I'm sure if someone seen me I would look pretty crazy. I took out a cow last year in two trips. Make sure you have your tires pumped up to the max, I pinched one of mine the first year taking out a deer... It sucked.

by **zpd307** » 03 19, 2014 • [Post 30]

Cha'tima wrote:Going into my hunting area is the hard part its mostly up hill. I have a large back pack I overload and then I relax while the wight does the rest to get me out. I'm sure if someone seen me I would look pretty crazy. I took out a cow last year in two trips. Make sure you have your tires pumped up to the max, I pinched one of mine the first year taking out a deer... It sucked.

I didn't think of that, with that much extra weight, the tires would be bulging. thanks!

by **WapitiTalk1** » 03 19, 2014 • [Post 31]

Slime tubes guys. That's the ticket.

by **jedbuzz** » 03 19, 2014 • [Post 32]

ishy wrote:Any of you see the full draw group from Wa, Born and Raised Outdoors. They do the mntn bikes with trailers. They claim they had something like four flats on thier first trip in! I thought either they don't ride at all the rest of the year or they really need to change thier wt per bike/trailer ratio. They did feel the need to have wiskey on hand which I'm sure doesn't help the wt limit.

The BRO boys are from Oregon... I bike in and hunt in the same manner, some of the logging roads around here are only pit run... No fine gravel at all... Causing all kinds of pinch flats and nice random slices. I'll have to look into slime tubes. The kevlar tires have been a huge improvement over the stock tires. You make a good point about overloading the trailer. I see guys out there with little bike strollers that still have the smooth tread little street tires, can't imagine they go too far with a heavy load...