Mountain bike for hunting

[rogerdoger]

Last fall I hunted an area that’s main trail in allowed mountain bikes. I started thinking this could be an option to go light and make some fast ground in the morning. Plan would be to drop bike once I get close to area to hunt. My thought was if I got an elk I could shuffle all the meet back to the bike, strap meat to bike and slowly coast out, then go bike back up empty pack and do trips as needed. May be more hassle than it’s worth. Anyone attempt or use a bike for hunting? Not an e-bike an old fashion peddle bike.
Thanks

 

[displacedtexan]

Do you already ride mountain bikes?

I haven't been on a bike in years. I've got confidence in my legs.

 

[wyogoat]

I use mine a few times a year. I have an extensive competitive cycling background and can say that coming out is a game changer. Going in with weight and climbing makes you question it but turning an almost two hr hike into a 20 min coast coming out makes it worth it. Def go pedal bike!

 

[spike camp]

Depends on the distance you’re talking about.
Strapping quarters to your bike sounds like a recipe for disaster, though.

 

[Marble]

I've done this before. Packing out meet on a bike is much easier. But I can carry more weight on foot than on the bike. It's difficult to balance and get off and on with a load near 100 lbs.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

 

[Valumpessa]

You might consider a bike trailer too. My last 3 elk have been hauled out this way.

 

[rogerdoger]

Do you already ride mountain bikes?

I haven't been on a bike in years. I've got confidence in my legs.

I do, usually my main source of exercise in the summer.

 

[rogerdoger]

I like the idea of a trailer, I have my kids old chariot, maybe my wife will let me turn it into a meat trailer!

 

[KBs]

It’s an extra challenge with a load but it’s sooo fast if you’re in an area that you can peddle a bike. It’s such a fun way to get further into the backcountry in less time. I have a chromoly hardtail that I use as my adventure bike remote surf/hunting locations.

I spent the money and put an old man mountain rack on it. Custom throughaxle heaviest duty 100plus LB loaded capacity. W full size painters my wife had from the pre children days of bikepacking.

I put whatever I can from pack and strap it down to the rack with Voile Ski Straps or stuff into the paniers to cut down the heavy pack. Keep the meat and rifle on your pack that’s on your back then roll out.

 

[mtnbiker208]

it works, I have found gated roads to be a better way with the bike than singletrack.

 

[LookinforDirt]

I have an old XC bike I’ve thought about converting to a bike packing setup. There are a couple places where it would really help shave time getting in and out. I don’t think I’d want to pack an animal out on my back riding. Short trip easy terrain maybe. I’d probably try to rig up a cart if I were to do that. Or use it to go back to my truck and get the Jet Sled.

 

[TreeDog]

whole reason I bought a bike. Only done it once though and that was on a gated road. Amazing how much extra speed you can pick up on the downhills with the added weight. Oh and make sure your brakes are in good shape

 

[wyogoat]

Since this got brought back up, one thing I’d recommend is going to a mid-fat so something with a 3 inch-ish wide tire up to 4 inch. I use a true fat bike with 5 inch tires and wish for a mid fat every time I hint off mine which is a few trips a year.

 

[Dos Perros]

Anyone ever do one of those conversion kits to transform mountain bike into e-bike?

 

[mtnbiker208]

Since this got brought back up, one thing I’d recommend is going to a mid-fat so something with a 3 inch-ish wide tire up to 4 inch. I use a true fat bike with 5 inch tires and wish for a mid fat every time I hint off mine which is a few trips a year.

Just pick up a set of 29x3 wheels and tires. I have a set for my surly pugsley and ice cream truck.

 

[wyogoat]

Just pick up a set of 29x3 wheels and tires. I have a set for my surly pugsley and ice cream truck.

What is your rim width on that?

 

[mtnbiker208]

I can check when i get home, but i think the pugsley is 35 and the ice cream truck is 40.

 

[MarkOrtiz]

I've thought about it on a few areas here that are closed to motorized vehicles during winter months. It sure lets me get back 10 miles in a short amount of time.

 

[mtnbiker208]

@wyogoat the pugsley is 35 but it is an offset rim to deal with the design of the bike.
the ice cream truck 45.

 

[wapitibob]

A friend used my set up a cpl weeks ago, gated roads here.