Hunting from mountain bikes?

[catamountsierra]

I keep looking at the maps for the areas I hunt here in Idaho, and noting that large areas are filled with roads that are closed to motor vehicles come hunting season. In other words, large areas with open roads around them that have closed roads leading in. Since most of the other hunters are likely to stay within a mile or two of the open roads, I am hoping to use my mountain bike and the trailer I bought to cart the kids in to get a small spike camp into some of these area. Hopefully then the other hunters can push the game to me. I'm sure I'm not the only one to think of doing this, and am open to suggestions.
Thanks,

 

[WapitiBob]

 

[Wyodog]

I used to hunt from a mountain bike. Works good unless it rains and you have to ride out in slippery mud. I mostly used closed logging roads to access country off the beaten path.

 

[Mike 338]

I used to hunt from a mountain bike. Works good unless it rains and you have to ride out in slippery mud. I mostly used closed logging roads to access country off the beaten path.

Same here but don't do it any more. It's kinda hard to put your camp on the bike or a trailer and get around in the mountains but a guy in shape can do just about anything.

 

[Barrelnut]

Popular thing to do in Oregon and Washington. Did it for years, bowhunting for elk. Just check the regulations first. Sometimes "walk in" means "walk in". Some timber company roads are this way.

 

[catamountsierra]

I think the biggest issues I might have are going to be related to when my hunt is this year. I have a late season (Nov 10-30) archery elk hunt that I have done a couple times now. So far I have always been one of those guys within a mile or two of the open road, but I have noticed that the elk get pushed around a lot when they get closer to the open roads. I have noticed two areas where the elk don't seem so skittish: in these pockets of land without open road, and, since the main roads run along the river, on the other side of the river from the main road. One way or another I want to get into these areas and avoid the pressured elk. Any advise is welcome.

 

[moombaskier]

I've been doing it for years. The best thing I ever did was to utilize a trailer to carry my gear in and the meat out. We sit back and laugh about how we would hike in 7-9 miles way before daylight and then have that looooong hike back. We save many hours using the bikes

 

[Wyodog]

When I was hunting from a bicycle I mostly hunted from a comfortable camp and traveled in and out on the bike each day. Twice I packed out an boned out elk in paniards slung across bike frame. That is not an awesome way to pack elk but it worked.

 

[Barrelnut]

When I was hunting from a bicycle I mostly hunted from a comfortable camp and traveled in and out on the bike each day. Twice I packed out an boned out elk in paniards slung across bike frame. That is not an awesome way to pack elk but it worked.

Did this one time. Tied hams across saddle and waked the bike out. Almost all down hill! Worked great. Did it with a deer too. Depends on how far the walk out is. But definitely easier than carrying it.

 

[6point5x284]

I found a used BOB Ibex trailer on Craigslist for 125 bucks. There like 450 new. I was surprised how many are for sale crazy cheap. If you are luck enough to live in a good craigslist outdoor city, search for bike trailer in the for sale, and you'll find a lot of possibilities. I went with one that connected through the rear axle bolt vs. seat post, but I think either would have worked fine. I recommend a single wheel trailer however. If you get something down and there is a forest service trail or anything, you can still push your bike with rear quarters on the cart, and a front shoulder roped across each side of your bike frame and get an elk out.

 

[catamountsierra]

I found a used BOB Ibex trailer on Craigslist for 125 bucks. There like 450 new. I was surprised how many are for sale crazy cheap. If you are luck enough to live in a good craigslist outdoor city, search for bike trailer in the for sale, and you'll find a lot of possibilities. I went with one that connected through the rear axle bolt vs. seat post, but I think either would have worked fine. I recommend a single wheel trailer however. If you get something down and there is a forest service trail or anything, you can still push your bike with rear quarters on the cart, and a front shoulder roped across each side of your bike frame and get an elk out.

I wish I had a single-wheel trailer, but I do have one with two wheels. It is supposedly rated for 100lbs, but may hold more now. Today's project involved riveting aluminum C-channel pieced to support the nylon bottom.

 

[6point5x284]

If you decreased the spacing between cross beams, I bet it will drastically increase the weight rating. I bet the nylon is the weak link there. Let me know how it does!

 

[Barrelnut]

Saw a bike trailer fixed for hunting one time. Guy took the trailer wheels and used them on a two wheel dolly. Then welded a bar from it that could attach to the seat post (if I remember correctly). He could carry a whole deer on it. It was pretty cool.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

I have a flatbed trailer (wandertec bongo) that I often use if there are decent roads for me to ride in/out on. Throw a large rubbermade tote on it, panniers on the bike, a rack for my rifle on the handle bars and I can carry way too much gear in, and a whole deer out.

Late season can be iffy. If you're a few miles in and you get a lot of snow on the road, it can be really unpleasant getting out, especially with a trailer.

Riding uphill with a trailer full of gear, or a deer, isn't that much fun. Definitely suggesting having non-hunting gear to wear while you huff and puff up the mountain. It can be 25F out and you'll sweat like crazy riding up and the minute you start cruising downhill that windchill will remind you about covering your ears with a nice hat. And gloves. And for those of us who wear glasses, the minute you stop moving, they fog up.

And it definitely helps if you can scout out some of these roads before you try riding them, especially if you have a trailer. Had a buddy tell me "oh yeah you can totally get up the road no problem." It would have been hell with just a mountain bike and no gear. With a fully loaded trailer it became an epic saga that nearly killed me. Had I seen this "road" before hand I'd have definitely packed lighter, or ditched the bike entirely. In fact, when I hunt there now, I just load up my game cart since this road is almost all uphill and sometimes steep.

Downhill with a full trailer is all fun and games until it's not. You really have to watch your speed. Sure beats dragging a deer out though! It's just a trial and error thing to figure out what works for you.