Author Topic: Handgun hunting with a mountain bike (Read 2577 times)

pathfinder · « **on:** October 23, 2005, 04:37:43 PM »

Hunting public land is challenging. Using a handgun makes it even more so. I've discovered that one of the best ways to access areas with less hunting pressure with a higher concentration of deer is to use a mountain bike. A gate with a "no motorized vehicles" sign on it is like an invitation to a private party. A mile beyond that sign is like my own private hunting ground.

This year our family hunt was in one of the most popular public hunting areas in the state. I was very disappointed to see what seemed to be every other hunter in the state had the same idea. I even delayed my arrival by a few days in hopes that the "opening day" crowd would be gone by then. Unfortunately everyone was still there. I've never seen so many hunters.

Anyway, after trying to get up earlier and hike farther it was evident that escaping the crowd just wasn't going to happen. So, yesterday I decided to change tactics. Out came the mountain bike and gated roads became the venue. In a very short time I was well beyond other hunters. I saw more fresh sign, more does and no other boot or tire tracks. Now I was having fun.

I wasn't able to get close enough to take a legal buck (3x or better) but it was the most fun I've had hunting this year. At least I found a way to locate them. If I had a doe tag there would be more to this story. I rode past two that were within 15 yards of me and didn't even flinch.

I hope I get another opportunty to get out this year... Too much fun.

bigbore442001 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 23, 2005, 04:42:27 PM »

I tried that in Maine one year for ruffed grouse. You can get away from the crowds if that is what you are looking for.

baitwaister · « **Reply #2 on:** October 24, 2005, 05:19:26 AM »

I have used my bike for several years. I use my contender with a 10" 41 mag barrel and open sights for this type of hunting. Game animals don't seem to get alarmed about a bike. Sounds different and and adds a different smell. Get yourself a bikeaboose(child wagon) or a Bob trailer to haul animal out and your set. Have hauled out Deer,Elk and bear with this set up.

mikemayberry · « **Reply #3 on:** October 24, 2005, 10:03:54 AM »

I haven't tried it yet but was thinking the mountain bike would be darn near perfect for hunting with a handgun. Beyond getting further in and in some cases quieter, the different type of movements seemed like they would be less noticable to the animals.

Now don't laugh but I was also considering mounting a short shooting stick on the handlebars so I could just stop and be stable for the shot when the time came.

Perhaps others will write about their experiences of hunting on a bike.

Mike

TCBrian · « **Reply #4 on:** October 24, 2005, 11:07:01 AM »

Many of us California bow hunters have used the method for years. It is often the only way to access good areas that are not over pressured. We usually hunt in steep terrain where a climb of 3-4 thousand feet is possible. Hiking up several miles then back out with an animal would be nearly impossible. We ride or push are bikes several miles uphill in the morning then hunt all day. The ride down is easy, since you get to coast all the way back down the fire road. I use a cheap child trailer I bought from Wall mart to hall game or extra gear.

Good hunting,
Brian

baitwaister · « **Reply #5 on:** October 25, 2005, 05:16:44 AM »

Use a bandolier type holster that will fit snug across your chest. You can get to this quickly and easily. As far as a rest, put your forearm across the handlebars, scoot your butt behind the seat and lay the pistol on your forearm. Also a good idea to strap hunting clothes in a dry bag onto a back rack to help contol scent. I also use some Hunter's Specialties disposable scent towels. Ride to where you want to hunt, strip down,wipe down, dress and go hunt.

Scott T · « **Reply #6 on:** April 29, 2006, 01:00:41 PM »

This actually sounds like a pretty good idea. No need to feed a bike all year round either. Hmmmm.

dubber123 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 30, 2006, 04:59:18 AM »

Great idea! what a better reason to air up the old mountain bike tire and get riding! I also seem to be developing a bit of a beer gut lately.(I suspect it's the beer.) A two for one benefit! Thanks.

corbanzo · « **Reply #8 on:** April 30, 2006, 08:09:20 AM »

I am an avid mountain biker, and I hunt by bike all the time. Usually I will holster my revolver towards the back of my left side, grips facing outward, so I just turn my hand back and grab it. This way, it doesnt get in the way of my pedaling, its quick, and its out of the way enough to wear a day pack. We do a lot of long day trail rides, 20-30 miles, and this is how I carry my big boys for bear protection, works great. When we do those rides, every 1/2 mile of so we just start yelling very loudly for a little bit, keeps the big critters out of the way. I do leather working and am starting to draw out a back holster for a rifle for bike riding. Usually I strap it to my pack, but you can't get to it quick.... We will also take out bikes until we can no longer ride out into the woods, and then start hiking. Biking in gives you a huge speed advantage and you can cover much more area in one day, even if you and up hiking for a while.

Scott T · « **Reply #9 on:** April 30, 2006, 02:47:37 PM »

I may have to look into this. It would be good to get the exercise and I enjoy getting back where I don't see many folks. I generally travel pretty light anyway.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #10 on:** April 30, 2006, 05:58:20 PM »

This sounds like a pretty good way to hunt Jefferson National forest!

There are miles, and miles of fire trails that are off limits to any motorized vehichles. I've walked all day there without covering the same ground, or seeing a single other hunter. Around here, once you've gotten much past a few hundred yards from the main paved roads within National forest, you pretty much have the whole daggone place to yourself. :grin: :grin: :grin:

Cheesehead · « **Reply #11 on:** May 06, 2006, 07:12:19 PM »

I have tried this with a carbine rifle slung over my shoulder and had a shooting opportunity at a deer but could not shoulder the rifle fast enough to get the shot off. I will try this again with a handgun.

Cheese

Old Griz · « **Reply #12 on:** May 07, 2006, 09:05:26 AM »

:cb2: Maybe if you attached the rifle to the handlebar with a swivel mount like those shootin' tables . . . :-D

Scott T · « **Reply #13 on:** May 07, 2006, 09:25:32 AM »

I doubt that I would shoot off the bike. It just seems like a practical way to get back into the countryside and out again.

I tend to hunt off the ground anyway.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2006, 06:12:36 AM »

Deer seem to be more curious than spooked at the sight and sound of a mountain biker/hunter. The bike would also double as a game cart to pack a large deer out of the woods. Easier than dragging, especially when great distances are involved.

Cheese

eywflyer · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2006, 05:09:32 PM »

Just make sure to check the regs for that game land. Even though that sign may say "No Motorized Vehicles" the regs may restrict bikes and horses during hunting season except for Sundays. This is the case for PA game lands.

Scratch that, the rest of the small print specifies "This does not apply to anyone lawfully engaged in hunting, trapping or fishing on State Game Lands" Make sure you pack an extra tube!

longwalker · « **Reply #16 on:** October 23, 2006, 02:34:28 PM »

shhhhhhh! don't we like it quiet. Check out this sight, www.cyclesg.com the AWD bikes work great when climbing over loose rock and logs.

longwalker

4MUL8R · « **Reply #17 on:** October 24, 2006, 11:34:01 PM »

I scouted this year on my mountain bike with a bandolier holstered FA. It was great! I had to move some huge trees out of the pathways, and ford a stream, but I saw more of the 4400 acre wildlife management area than I've ever seen. My next "to do" is figure out the sequence of taking a deer out of the deep...if the cart is in the truck, and I'm five miles into the WMA, then how do I get the cart, return with the cart, and retrieve the deer before anyone else just takes it?

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #18 on:** October 25, 2006, 02:46:23 AM »

Please tell us how you moved those "huge" trees out of the way!! Maybe you could use a similar degree of strength to pack the deer to the truck!

Randy M · « **Reply #19 on:** October 25, 2006, 01:26:50 PM »

Guys,
Great idea here. One question for you experienced bike-hunters - How do you get game out when you kill something? I was thinking of wearing my frame pack on the ride and then leaving it with the bike. If I was to kill something, I could quarter it out and pack on my back. I live in Texas and our deer are basically over-sized rabbits; so weight shouldn't be a problem.

Best,
Randy

TCBrian · « **Reply #20 on:** October 25, 2006, 05:15:00 PM »

In Ca I tow a bike trailer and any game goes on the trailer. This is done when we hunt using fire roads that are vehilce restricted. If the roads are washed out or we cross country it, then I wear my frame pack with my hunting pack attached. If I get off the bike to hunt, I leave the frame pack with my bike and GPS the spot, just in case I get turned around. I then bone out any game and attached it to the frame pack, re-attached my small hunting pack and start riding out.

Good hunting,
Brian

Blammer · « **Reply #21 on:** October 26, 2006, 04:19:49 AM »

how about those baskets that attach to the front handle bars of the bike and some on the back. like the newspaper boys have?

or am I telling my age....

Mikey · « **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2006, 02:14:59 AM »

Fellas: bicycles are a great way to 'get around' and the mountain bikes will take you places where a lot of folk won't or don't go. The Viet Cong, as well as the North Vietnamese Army used bicycles (as do so many people in S.E. Asia) for transportation as well as moving materials and equipment. The average skinny wheeled bike could carry over 300 lbs, in addition to the rider. Front racks and back racks are the order of the day over there, even today. I would imagine that with the strength of the mountain bike frame you could pack out a 300 lb bear or a couple of whitetail easily, if you could keep your balance (which is a problem fer some ov us.............). JMHO. Mikey.

44 Man · « **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2006, 05:33:02 AM »

I usually only hunt with a hand gun. So a few years back when an nice mild day was predected for opening day, I put my hand gun in my saddlebags, put on my orange hunting clothes, and rode my motorcycle to the woods! That combined two of the things I really love into one day! It was a great plan until I dropped and nice 8 pt whitetail about 10;00am. Then I realized I had not thought this out very well as I was over 30 miles from home. Believe me, I thought of ALL the possible ways to get that deer home. I ended up hiding it and coming back with my brother-in-law's pickup. Sometimes we just get all carried away with our enthusiasm! 44 Man

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #24 on:** October 28, 2006, 11:04:44 AM »

Geez next you guys will want me to quit smoking and drinking and wear dockers while i hunt!

Now if you were talking about hunting off a YZ id be right with you.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #25 on:** October 28, 2006, 03:27:00 PM »

The YZ thing does sound exciting. But mountain bikes are legal in areas were the yz thing would get you cuffed and stuffed. If they could catch you doin the yz thing. What kind of gun and holster would you use for the yz concept?

Cheese

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #26 on:** October 29, 2006, 12:10:35 AM »

hell one of my 4 inch 500 linebaughs shoved in my belt would work just fine. A good rack on the back to hold the beer cooler and a tank bag big enough for a carton of buts!

Quote from: Cheesehead on October 28, 2006, 03:27:00 PM

The YZ thing does sound exciting. But mountain bikes are legal in areas were the yz thing would get you cuffed and stuffed. If they could catch you doin the yz thing. What kind of gun and holster would you use for the yz concept?

Cheese

ccoker · « **Reply #27 on:** November 09, 2006, 07:45:19 AM »

I am an avid mtber, in fact, I own a custom bike shop.. (www.hammerheadbikes.com)

I haven't done it yet, but I have thougt about it...
Hell, every time I go on a night ride (with a helmet mounted HID light) in Austin I come across nice bucks that just stare at you from 15 yards out. It would be SO easy to tap one with my 1911 !
of course, that would get me thrown in jail so I don't!

but, I have wanted to do this and believe it would work great!