Mountain Bike Elk?

[pfraze]

I'm wondering how you guys use your mountain bikes on backcountry elk hunts in Colorado? Where can you learn what roads will be closed to OHV's? Been wanting to use a mountain bike on a hunt for awhile but a lot of places I've hunted, I'm not sure they would help me out. Thanks

 

[Dakota Dude]

Google COTrex. Its a trail tool developed by Colorado Games Fish and Parks.

 

[Indian Summer]

As the Forest Service for a travel map. Years ago they added topo lines to them so they’re very helpful.

 

[Beendare]

I bought a Bike kit for my 29'er thinking it might work for elk hunting.

After pounding out some miles on it, I think it would be perfect for closed fire roads in Oregon- something like that....but steep trails and such in the mountains that get wet and muddy....I'm just going to hike.

___

 

[Roughwater]

My thinking is that if you are already a biker and used to riding trails it could be a no brainer to hunt using a bike.
But to just take up bike riding trails to aid in hunting might not be the best idea. Like most things there is a skill set to learn with taking up mountain biking. There are plenty of ways to hurt one's self just hiking but you toss in a few more possibilities if you take up mountain biking. Then there is the cost of a bike, you can't take it into a wilderness area. There are many public trails that ban mountain bikes.

However, I imagine there are a few established bike trails, some paved, that happen to run through hunting areas. That might be a location with the best scenario to use a bike to hunt for a regular person. I know of a paved bike/walking trail in Ohio that runs along a small river. The river has some good fishing but see's few fishermen willing to hike or bike very far from a vehicle. I used to bike the trail and get into places that are seldom fished so the fishing was really good. Maybe some casual bike trails out west might offer a similar opportunity for hunting?

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[Wapiti1]

I fall down too much without a bunch of gear riding trails. One evil tree root and wipeout!! This is a recipe for a broken bow, and a broken me. I'd hate to break my bow.

Jeremy

 

[canyonhunter47]

Here’s an article about a guy who hunts elk by bike.

I’ve used my bike to get down closed forest roads to a spot faster. It’s helpful in some situations but it’s pretty niche — I stick to easy paths

 

[Jman86]

Bikes work well in some places, more trouble than not in others.

 

[MattCO]

I used mine once a few years ago on some closed FS roads in Colorado (GMU 14). I used it for the trip in and out, all hunting was day trips on foot. It worked well, had to walk some of the steeper uphills, anything flat or downhill was great though, much easier and faster than walking. We didn't get an elk that trip, but the thought of packing out an elk with all the weight on the trailer instead of on me, was very appealing.

Here's the setup I used, note I already had the bike and trailer, so didn't have to buy anything.

If you're looking to buy a trailer, I'd recommend a double rear wheel trailer if what you're riding is wide enough for it. A double rear wheel trailer will be much more stable than a single. If you'll be riding singletrack, not much choice but to go with a single rear wheel.

 

[Mike Islander]

I hunted off my bicycle about 5 times last year and loved it, but not elk and not in the hills. Carrying 70 pounds on a bike just isn't that bad.

I think terrain is everything here. If rideable, seems like a good choice. If steep and nasty, doesn't seem feasible.

 

[wapitibob]

Every year

 

[Weila]

The first thing I do before hunting is to check which roads are open, and then I make sure that their condition is good, possible to travel. I love such trips and look forward to the warm season every year. I know that races like this can sometimes be dangerous due to the relief, the weather, and the obstacles that may appear in the way. But in such situations, I don't stress too much anyway because I have full insurance from https://sundaysinsurance.com/ for the bike and me, who protects us even in accidents or crash damages.

 

[elkocd]

They are great on closed roads. I don't use mine on trails/single track much for hunting unless it's just to get into an area a little quicker. I would not really want to pack out an elk on single track unless it was mostly pretty flat.

 

[mtnbiker208]

just like anything on the internet, the guys that have not tried it will tell you why it won't work.
the guys that have tried it will tell you it works.
the bike is a great access tool, but i might be biased.

 

[TheTone]

I’ve got a spot I’m hoping to bike into next year. Will almost certainly use it for some preseason scouting runs to confirm what I’m thinking