mountain bike
09-01-2005, 10:45 AM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 3,606
mountain bike
ATVsare not permitted to be used in my state soIwas thinking of using a mountain bike to get into the woods deeper andget to my stand faster.I was wondering if anyone has tried it and if so how do you carry your bow while riding?Also how do you drag your trophy buck out?
09-01-2005, 11:35 AM
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 5,716
RE: mountain bike
You can do it pretty easily. You'll have to carry your treestand such that there's no contact with the back tire, which may be a problem depending on what kind of stand you use. I tied myrifle onto the stand and hauled A$$. If not using a stand, just get a hunting backpack that has some strap loops on it, and tie your bow/rifle to your back, it's really easy.
A potential problem is the type of trail - if it's a flat, even trail, you're golden, but if it's uphill/downhill and rocky, biking in the dark is tough.
I biked in on a public biking trail along a river for rifle season, so it was fairly flat and free of obstacles.
You'll also need a good LEDheadlamp. Energizer sells a WallyWorld cheapo for 12 or 13 bucks that is really good and durable. Make sure you lock up your bike while you're hunting.
If you kill a deer, you're stuck taking your bike/gear out and hiking back in for the deer. I usually just go home, getapickup and a buddy and go back for the deer. There's really no easy way for that - but there is a company that sells a lock-on treestand that doubles as a pull-cart. That piqued my interest a bit, but for this season, I'll be doing it the hard way.
On a good, flat trail, you can bike in swiftly and silently. You can turn a 1 hour hike into a 10 minute ride.
A potential problem is the type of trail - if it's a flat, even trail, you're golden, but if it's uphill/downhill and rocky, biking in the dark is tough.
I biked in on a public biking trail along a river for rifle season, so it was fairly flat and free of obstacles.
You'll also need a good LEDheadlamp. Energizer sells a WallyWorld cheapo for 12 or 13 bucks that is really good and durable. Make sure you lock up your bike while you're hunting.
If you kill a deer, you're stuck taking your bike/gear out and hiking back in for the deer. I usually just go home, getapickup and a buddy and go back for the deer. There's really no easy way for that - but there is a company that sells a lock-on treestand that doubles as a pull-cart. That piqued my interest a bit, but for this season, I'll be doing it the hard way.
On a good, flat trail, you can bike in swiftly and silently. You can turn a 1 hour hike into a 10 minute ride.
09-01-2005, 12:42 PM
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Location: georgia
Posts: 3,297
RE: mountain bike
Everything Quicksilver said is true, but I would add that you actually can carry your deer out on the bike. Carry a plastic bag to cover the seat, and field dress the deer, place the cavity of the deer's body over the seat, and tie the front legs across the handle bars. I know that sounds crazy, but it works.I also added a bow/gun carrier similar to the ones made for atv's, to the handle bars. When you can't ride , you can push the bike walking along side. It's better than dragging! I started using them 18 years ago. My first bike was a Nishiki, Colorado. One other thing, don't get a full suspension bike. They absorb too much of the effort put into pedalling in rough terrain. they are good for downhill, and ride a little better on bumps, but they will work you too hard uphill. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that you can also ride the bike straddling the deer, but 2 things: have plenty of orange and get ready to have your buddies give you grief!
09-01-2005, 12:43 PM
#6
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location:
Posts: 94
RE: mountain bike
I tried this for the first time last year. I didn't really have a long walk to my stand - maybe the length of 60 acres... but I had found that I was having to walk SOOO slow to try to not spook deer that it was taking me forever. I don't have the patience for that so I decided to try the bike. I had also heard that it's possible that if a deer would see or hear you going by on a bike they might be less suspicous (not sure if that's true) and hopefully less scent left as you're not in contact with the ground. We cleared some new paths last year and I bought the gunholders you put on an ATV and mounted them to my handlebars. The bow sat nicely in that and I didn't have to carry a stand so I thought it would be fine. However, the hard part was simply riding - I've never done any mountain biking before so it was an adventure as our trails aren't too flat. I ended up on my butt two times during the ride.. it was like I never rode a bike before!!! I would say if you have some fairly flat going you would be fine - just get one of those flashlights that go on your head. If you have to carry a lot of stuff outside of your bow I found that the balancing on the bike became an issue. The other alternative is pulling a small wagon or cart of some sort behind you.
09-02-2005, 02:09 PM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 3,606
RE: mountain bike
Thanks guys for the info.As far as putting it on the bike I'm still laughing so I'm sure anyone who would see me doing this would be in stitches laughing.I may try the bike but i think I'll give it a try dragging it behind.
09-02-2005, 05:23 PM
#8
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Crosby TX USA
Posts: 2,599
RE: mountain bike
I bought a new Mnt bike this year with front & rear shocks just for this very reason.
I used my old non suspended one the last few seasons and at the end of a weeks hunt my rear was tore up[:'(].
The land whereI primarily hunt is flat and the fourwheeler trails allow me to glide along at a quick pace. The acorns on the road popping under the ties do make an odd noise though. BUTI have snuck up amazingly close to deer & other wild game while riding in.
If i down one I go to the truck and unload my quad for the dragging the deer back in chores.
The mountain bike is much quiter and stink free-I like it!
I used my old non suspended one the last few seasons and at the end of a weeks hunt my rear was tore up[:'(].
The land whereI primarily hunt is flat and the fourwheeler trails allow me to glide along at a quick pace. The acorns on the road popping under the ties do make an odd noise though. BUTI have snuck up amazingly close to deer & other wild game while riding in.
If i down one I go to the truck and unload my quad for the dragging the deer back in chores.
The mountain bike is much quiter and stink free-I like it!
09-02-2005, 09:25 PM
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SCOTLAND COUNTY, MISSOURI
Posts: 552
RE: mountain bike
ORIGINAL: manuman
Everything Quicksilver said is true, but I would add that you actually can carry your deer out on the bike. Carry a plastic bag to cover the seat, and field dress the deer, place the cavity of the deer's body over the seat, and tie the front legs across the handle bars. I know that sounds crazy, but it works. I also added a bow/gun carrier similar to the ones made for atv's, to the handle bars. When you can't ride , you can push the bike walking along side. It's better than dragging! I started using them 18 years ago. My first bike was a Nishiki, Colorado. One other thing, don't get a full suspension bike. They absorb too much of the effort put into pedalling in rough terrain. they are good for downhill, and ride a little better on bumps, but they will work you too hard uphill. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that you can also ride the bike straddling the deer, but 2 things: have plenty of orange and get ready to have your buddies give you grief!
Everything Quicksilver said is true, but I would add that you actually can carry your deer out on the bike. Carry a plastic bag to cover the seat, and field dress the deer, place the cavity of the deer's body over the seat, and tie the front legs across the handle bars. I know that sounds crazy, but it works. I also added a bow/gun carrier similar to the ones made for atv's, to the handle bars. When you can't ride , you can push the bike walking along side. It's better than dragging! I started using them 18 years ago. My first bike was a Nishiki, Colorado. One other thing, don't get a full suspension bike. They absorb too much of the effort put into pedalling in rough terrain. they are good for downhill, and ride a little better on bumps, but they will work you too hard uphill. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that you can also ride the bike straddling the deer, but 2 things: have plenty of orange and get ready to have your buddies give you grief!
I can no longer see because I'm crying from laughing sooooo hard!! YOU GUYS ARE NUTS !!
09-03-2005, 12:45 AM
#10
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,704
RE: mountain bike
Reminds me of a discussion we had here about this time last year. A member named akaSharkey built an awesome deer cart out of one of those carts you push children in (not the stroller - the one with 3 big wheels) Anyhow, he took the body off that thing and mounted the cart on a hitch on the back of his mountain bike. Perfect for transporting his gear to stand and deer out also.
I have one of those carts and they are incredibly easy to push or pull even full of children. I'm just waiting for the kids to get old enough that I can steal it without my wife noticing it is gone
Sharkey hasn't posted since last March and the pictures he posted of his setup aren't online anymore - but if anyone knows him, have him post the pics.
I have one of those carts and they are incredibly easy to push or pull even full of children. I'm just waiting for the kids to get old enough that I can steal it without my wife noticing it is gone
Sharkey hasn't posted since last March and the pictures he posted of his setup aren't online anymore - but if anyone knows him, have him post the pics.