New Sponsor Introduction

[John Murphy]

Hi guys! My name is John and I'm a new sponsor here. Thanks for allowing me to be part of this awesome forum.
I sell electric hunting bikes and I plan to share some articles on the forum so I can bring some value to you guys. I'll share a few posts occasionally and I'll be happy to answer any questions anyone has on electric bikes for hunting.

Have a great weekend all
John
www.eBikeGeneration.com

 

[KyCarl]

Like those Quietkat bikes I've seen on TV?

 

[John Murphy]

Like those Quietkat bikes I've seen on TV?

Exactly, I'm an authorized dealer for Quietkat and a few other very good brands. They are a real game changer

 

[cohunt]

Welcone--
The idea is cool and I'm not trying to bash your product, but each state is going to be different -- and it could have different laws by city/county (as in colorado)

In CO legally all vehicles may only be used on marked trails--E-bikes are not allowed on some motorized trails, and also not allowed on some "non-motorized" bike trails due to the motor. On Federal public lands, e-bikes are considered "motorized" and must obey all ohv laws-- you may need ohv permits in some areas.

Right now, the e-bike laws need to be changed so that they are universal as right now they are just too convoluted to understand.

I actually know an outfitter that uses electric utv's on private property for guided hunts-- he said they are like any vehicle, the animals get used to them being there if they ate there enough but at first they actually spooked the animals due to the "not normal" sound of the electric motors (animals hear different frequencies than humans do, so even though they may sound quite to a human, some animals hear them better than gas motors due to the high frequency noise from the e-motors) as the animals were used to gas motor atvs.

Certain situations they do have their advantages and I would like to see them progress in technology and law uniformity, but in others a good old cheep used gas powered atv is the winner.

 

[KyCarl]

OK John my question is..I hunt places that are posted "No Motorized Vehicles"
People walk or ride horses. Wouldn't an electric bike have a motor just like my Grizzly?
and be illegal also?

 

[John Murphy]

OK John my question is..I hunt places that are posted "No Motorized Vehicles"
People walk or ride horses. Wouldn't an electric bike have a motor just like my Grizzly?
and be illegal also?

So each state is different in interpreting what is and isn't considered motorized. And often what the state considers one way, the Federal law contradicts so it's always best to do some research in advance if you know where you plan to be using one. Currently 30 or so states have already started to classify ebikes so they can be categorized correctly and not be seen like mopeds or other gas motor vehicles.

the general rule is anything up to 750 watt motor with a top speed no more than 20mph is considered 'non-motorized' and the larger 1000 watt motors are considered for offroad use only and not allowed on roads.

 

[John Murphy]

Welcone--
The idea is cool and I'm not trying to bash your product, but each state is going to be different -- and it could have different laws by city/county (as in colorado)

In CO legally all vehicles may only be used on marked trails--E-bikes are not allowed on some motorized trails, and also not allowed on some "non-motorized" bike trails due to the motor. On Federal public lands, e-bikes are considered "motorized" and must obey all ohv laws-- you may need ohv permits in some areas.

Right now, the e-bike laws need to be changed so that they are universal as right now they are just too convoluted to understand.

I actually know an outfitter that uses electric utv's on private property for guided hunts-- he said they are like any vehicle, the animals get used to them being there if they ate there enough but at first they actually spooked the animals due to the "not normal" sound of the electric motors (animals hear different frequencies than humans do, so even though they may sound quite to a human, some animals hear them better than gas motors due to the high frequency noise from the e-motors) as the animals were used to gas motor atvs.

Certain situations they do have their advantages and I would like to see them progress in technology and law uniformity, but in others a good old cheep used gas powered atv is the winner.

It will take time for the laws to all agree on what exactly an ebike is and how to categorize it. for sure technology is moving faster than the laws can change to keep up with it all.

I sell a lot of ebikes to CO hunters (Quietkat even relocated there 2 yrs ago to be closer to it's best audience). I always recommend people do their homework before purchasing one because they are expensive items to keep locked up in the shed if you can't use them.

I sold one to a CO hunter who also used to be a park ranger. Last year he stopped patrol officers and asked if they had ever ticketed someone for using an ebike on federal land and they said no. And they saw the benefit of them too. That doesn't make it OK to use if the local law forbids it, but does give an insight into how they are perceived.

For example, in Michigan, a 1000 watt ebike is considered motorized and not allowed on federal land. But since 2016 the Michigan DNR patrol officers use 1000 watt Quietkat ebikes to patrol the land.

The motors are whisper quiet, the only noise you hear are the tires going over the grass. Animals hear differently to us but I hear all the time how riders just whizz past grazing deer and sometimes they look up and sometimes that don't even look up at all. Some older models are not so quiet though.

the advantages are plenty and you can use one where you hunt it's a great tool to have.

 

[joseph singleton]

WElcome from FL

 

[cohunt]

Cirrently Federal law as of march last year was that ALL e-bikes are considered a motorized vehicle by federal standards no matter if they are class 1, 2,or3 -- states, counties, and cities can have their own laws but on federal land they are currently only allowed on "motorized vehicle" marked trails.

I looked into an electric vehicle for off road use last year and for me (may be different in your area) they did not offer me any advantages.

If the laws change they could have more advantages-- time will tell.

Also make sure when riding one and hunting you follow the laws regarding "carrying a long gun on your vehicle" for your state and federal rules (each state is different)

I'm not trying to bash e-bikes, I like the idea, but until the laws catch up to technology they offer no advantages to me and may actually have some hindrances over a standard atv in my case.

 

[Heavyiron]

Welcome to LRH. Great to have you on board.

 

[CMDR Kibo]

Welcome John. I recently read your article with interest and will be watching for your posts and developments on these e-bikes. I can see some possible uses and think it is great that you and others are bringing this newer option to our attention.

 

[MkJose]

Welcome aboard.