Ebikes ..... are they really useful for hunting anymore?

[repins05]

Seems like Ebikes have been pretty much restricted to motorized vehicle roads where I hunt. There are a few areas that I can get into where a truck can't but for the most part it seems like these areas are limited. Maybe it's the areas that I hunt? But the more I read the more it looks like Ebikes are restricted everywhere. Are they really useful for hunting anymore?

 

[Rich M]

Only if you just use them and don’t worry about the exact rules. Ride where you need to go vs the motorized vehicle stuff.

Is it a bike you have or an electric motorcycle?

 

[repins05]

I have a Bike. I used it to take past the gates etc. But now bikes are considered motorized vehicles and cannot be used past gates where I used to take it. I have decided to follow the rules. It seems like the regulations are becoming more restrictive in all the western states.

 

[Big_wals]

I’ve never seen the appeal to them, unless you don’t mind breaking/bending the rules. They have been illegal behind gates in Idaho for as long as I can remember, I actually had an argument with a salesman in a sporting goods store probably ten years ago and had to walk to the front, grab a copy of the regs, amd show him. No motorized vehicles, including electric. I’ve heard tho that as long as you don’t get caught USING the electric motor, you can’t get fined for just having it behind the the gate. I’ve literally heard guys say they just pedal for the last couple hundred yards coming out. That way if a warden is at the gate, they won’t get a ticket.

 

[displacedtexan]

Crazy that a wheeled thing with a motor is considered a motorized vehicle.

 

[Whitefox82]

They can be useful depending upon where you’re hunting. I hunted a small Colorado ranch a few years ago with a few friends that go yearly. They all use e-bikes as the property works well for it to get into areas quickly and quiet. I was able to borrow a bike from a guy that typically hunts with them but didn’t that year. This ranch was about 1200 acres but connected to public national forest on the back side and because of the size it’s best to hunt it from stands or blinds almost like whitetail. Aggressive hunting and/or calling would almost guarantee pushing any elk from the property. E-bikes were definitely the way to go there.

 

[Bubblehide]

I’ve never seen the appeal to them, unless you don’t mind breaking/bending the rules. They have been illegal behind gates in Idaho for as long as I can remember, I actually had an argument with a salesman in a sporting goods store probably ten years ago and had to walk to the front, grab a copy of the regs, amd show him. No motorized vehicles, including electric. I’ve heard tho that as long as you don’t get caught USING the electric motor, you can’t get fined for just having it behind the the gate. I’ve literally heard guys say they just pedal for the last couple hundred yards coming out. That way if a warden is at the gate, they won’t get a ticket.

Here where I am, per the regulations, you could leave the battery at home and still get cited, because the bike has a motor. Here, if it has a motor, it is motorized, whether it is working or not, and therefore illegal.

 

[JasonT]

I really like using them for midwestern whitetail hunting on private ground. It's so nice being able to get near your stand/blind quickly and quietly (without sweating), not to mention the ease of hauling a deer out with it.

 

[LongWayAround]

Ebikes piss me off. I hope they keep banning them.

 

[Radford]

I don’t like them either. If you can’t walk to your hunting spot then pick a new spot. Really upsetting spending time burning leather then get overtaken by guys on motorized bikes. Pretty lame really. Takes away from hunting in my opinion and fallows most trends nowadays of taking the easy way out, instant gratification, lack of patience, inability to put in hard work, etc.

 

[RocketRob16]

I bought one this year to try out. So far its been a fun toy/tool to have. I wanted to try it on private land for whitetail hunting but mostly turkey hunting which I do on both public and private. For me, it mostly shines for pre-season turkey scouting. I can zip down roads and trails much faster and still pretty quietly to maximize the time I'm listening for birds while they're talking. I could do the same thing in a truck or ATV but it would be a lot more disturbance. Problem is, in my state, there are goobers racing to duck holes on ebikes and horses so it looks like there's some more restrictions coming on the horizon.

I will say, I didn't personally get one to be lazy or take the easy way out or cut someone off to a game animal. If I was getting cut off by guys on ebikes or seeing them driven through the middle of the woods off trails, that would put a bad taste in my mouth pretty fast. I still love putting on boot miles and exploring. If I use it during season on public, its to get in deep away from main roads and people quickly and quietly. I still put on the same amount of boot miles at the end of the day, I was just further in when I started.

We'll see how it goes for deer season. I wouldn't consider bringing it out west for a hunt though. I don't think mine is powerful enough to pull those hills, strong enough to pack me out with a packed load of meat well, or worth the hassle of carrying across the country.

 

[longtail]

They can be useful depending upon where you’re hunting. I hunted a small Colorado ranch a few years ago with a few friends that go yearly. They all use e-bikes as the property works well for it to get into areas quickly and quiet. I was able to borrow a bike from a guy that typically hunts with them but didn’t that year. This ranch was about 1200 acres but connected to public national forest on the back side and because of the size it’s best to hunt it from stands or blinds almost like whitetail. Aggressive hunting and/or calling would almost guarantee pushing any elk from the property. E-bikes were definitely the way to go there.

This is the same situation for me this year. Private land owner only allows ebikes on existing 2 tracks

 

[WCB]

I have one. It has been awesome in some instances. I know for my dad (71yrs old) it was great on some out west hunts where he could motor back 2-3 miles quick and when he killed a deer didn't need to call anyone to help him pack it out. Just got it on the ridge/two track. Through it on his trailer and away he went.

I've mostly used it private land and within 2 miles of the truck. It simply saves me time when setting out multiple "sets" or blinds at the start of a trip. can get 4-5 set up done in a day vs pushing it for 3 in just the time savings. Also, super quick and quiet getting in and out of the blind.

However, if they aren't allowed...fine by me.

 

[Whitefox82]

This is the same situation for me this year. Private land owner only allows ebikes on existing 2 tracks

I would just quickly add that if you are considering buying an e-bike make sure you get suspension! That bike I borrowed didn’t and I felt like I was riding a jack hammer. My ass and tailbone were so sore after day 1 I needed to stand while riding the rest of the trip. At some point I may get one as it would be great for where I hunt public whitetail here in WI as I have about a mile walk from my truck. They are incredibly quiet!

 

[Bowfinatic]

Its a huge tool for my whitetail hunting to get to and from stand quickly, minimal scent and most importantly no sweating.

 

[longtail]

I would just quickly add that if you are considering buying an e-bike make sure you get suspension! That bike I borrowed didn’t and I felt like I was riding a jack hammer. My ass and tailbone were so sore after day 1 I needed to stand while riding the rest of the trip. At some point I may get one as it would be great for where I hunt public whitetail here in WI as I have about a mile walk from my truck. They are incredibly quiet!

lucky enough for me I bought my son an ebike 2 years ago that I will be able to use. It does have suspension on both the front and rear. It has been worth it since he has ridden it a lot I think he has 2,000 miles on it. unlucky for me though is that like a lot of the e bikes from china the parts they use to put them together are cheap and junk. Ive replaced damn near everything on that bike except the battery, motor, and frame.

 

[sodaksooner]

Not an ebike fan at all as I really enjoy regular mountain biking. However, I can see them as a tool in the quiver so to speak and very situation dependent. Private land tree stand hunting is one that comes to mind, That said in some of the areas we hunt the 4 wheeler and side by side noise is just horrendous. I'd much rather see some kind of E powered conveyance in those areas than gas. If I ever own an ebike in my old age, I'll get a good one from a regular bike manufacturer. I guess I am kind of a bike snob, so these hunting specific ones in my mind are kind of junk. I really don't see them as an advantage where we hunt as the terrain doesn't lend itself to them.

 

[180ls1]

Not an ebike fan at all as I really enjoy regular mountain biking. However, I can see them as a tool in the quiver so to speak and very situation dependent. Private land tree stand hunting is one that comes to mind, That said in some of the areas we hunt the 4 wheeler and side by side noise is just horrendous. I'd much rather see some kind of E powered conveyance in those areas than gas. If I ever own an ebike in my old age, I'll get a good one from a regular bike manufacturer. I guess I am kind of a bike snob, so these hunting specific ones in my mind are kind of junk. I really don't see them as an advantage where we hunt as the terrain doesn't lend itself to them.

I was going to say the same thing. Much nicer than someone ripping a 2 stroke in the woods. There is probably a middle ground where they fit in.

 

[Rich M]

I don’t like them either. If you can’t walk to your hunting spot then pick a new spot. Really upsetting spending time burning leather then get overtaken by guys on motorized bikes. Pretty lame really. Takes away from hunting in my opinion and fallows most trends nowadays of taking the easy way out, instant gratification, lack of patience, inability to put in hard work, etc.

This is it.

I’m sure you walk to work too. LoL!

An easier method has arrived and folks refuse to accept it.

Can ride a horse and it is fine. Would still piss folks off but no complaints cause it’s “legal”.

Yeah, we have the ebike rules down here. I’d rather they said no trucks, e-bikes only. Be better.

 

[Alpine406]

I have been toying with getting one primarily for spring bear. The areas I hunt are a mix of gravel/logging roads and rougher, old grown over logging roads. I typically mountain bike in then hike the rest of the way. This spring before the lower gates opened up, I would have really liked the e-bike to get me in the 5 miles before I start hiking. Even with my mountain bike, which is on the higher end, biking with a 25 lb pack and rifle sucks.
I look at it as a way to save energy, go in quiet, and then hunt. I am not a fan of either e-bikes or motos trying to haul ass into and up every trail they can, which definitely happens.