Bicycling bow hunters

[Steve in Canton]

I have had good luck by towing a stroller behind my bike.  I break down my recurve and it fits nicely in the stroller.  I have gone up and down hills in WV and never had an issue.

[Kingwouldbe]

Originally posted by njstykbow:


Has anyone come up with a bowsling that will keep your bow/quiver positioned on your back so it doesn't slide around to the front while leaning forward to peddle?

Joe

Joe we tie them onto our hunting backs and ride away.
 

You can go sideways or vertical.

 

[James Wrenn]

This was my first "surbuban hunter" or the peewee Herman bike as my daughter called it.    Camo did not go over good slipping around the subdivision I was hunting but most did not know what the little 56" bow I was carring was.  :D  
My camo model I use now is just used on a woodsroad that is wide enough across the handle bars works fine and stealth is not needed as much.    
 

[Steve O]

James,

Is that a special case, or just a guncase cut down?

[James Wrenn]

Steve it is a case for a ruger 10-22 I picked up at a yard sale I tweaked a bit.

[Stone Knife]

Ron, nice setup, I do a lot of scouting on my mountain bike especially when mast crop is scarce, it lets me cover more ground in less time looking for food sources.

[James Wrenn]

Here is what Bernie calls my "trusty stead" today.

 

[Archie]

I started biking in because I don't have a 4x4 anymore.  It gets me further in much faster than walking.  I've found that the bike noise doesn't spook game like walking does.  (Wet, dewy, grassy country.)  Last season, I went around corners and ran into (within 30 feet) skunks, raccoons, deer, and several hawks.  Really surprised me.  Evidently the constant sound of a wheel on the ground doesn't alert the game where I hunt like footsteps do.

I've got a little trailer that I use in the event of hauling out any massive game.  Of course, I have yet to use it...

I use a sort of a fanny pack that has two quick-release straps that fit my bow perfectly, but that's to carry the bow horizontal and on my back.  I also bought a backpack this spring that has lots of external lash points, and I have some homemade straps that hold my bow -- in this case, vertical.  I've also installed some ATV gun holders on the bike handlebars now, and it works great... if the trail is wide enough to accomodate the bow horizontally.  
 

[Archie]

Here's a better shot at the fanny pack.  It's not really a fanny pack.  It's a waist belt that holds two thigh packs -- like extra cargo pockets.  The straps that hold the bow are actually for a roll-up seat pad for sitting on the ground.  FYI -- the vest is a MEDIUM that fits tight over my LARGE jacket.  The fleece stretches... and beautifully keeps my jacket out of the way of my bowstring.
 

[no]

never tried on deer, but do it often while turkey hunting.  Mike

[Rusty in Fla.]

I'd like to suggest that y'all consider wearing protective headgear while ridding. A head injury is no joking matter. I almost bought the farm back in '94 on a downhill. I still have the short term memory of a man 30 years my elder and it will never come back.
  If you need to justify it, use the helmet to mount a headlight but please wear those helmets.
 TGBTG

[Ron LaClair]

A good idea. Here's my favorite helmet but I'm reluctant to wear it in the woods during hunting season.    :rolleyes:

   

[Trooper]

Got rid of my wheelers and outboard about 5 years ago.  I now either walk, paddle my pirouge or ride this bike.  I quarter the deer where I find it, put the meat in my rucksack and ride it out.  I use a t/d bow which I strap to my handlebars.  My stand straps on to the rear rack.  (I've raised the seat up since this picture.)
 

[Blackhawk]

Great topic and nice pics too.  

Most of us (especially me) could use the exercise, so thanks for sparking the interest.    

"Honey, where's my bike?"  

[centaur]

You guys got me to thinking; I'm only a 10 minute drive from my main whitetail area, so that is about a 30 minute bike ride. With diesel prices, I think this is worth a try. Thanks for posting; why didn't I think of this before??  

[Shawn Leonard]

I have a bow-only area I hunt and the farmer wants me to park only in the driveway by the barn. This makes for some long walks in sometimes. I just got back from asking if I could bring a bike, stash it in the barn and ride it into or very near my stands. He said no problem and asked why I had not asked years ago(14 to be exact). My response, I am older and wiser and listen to guys like Ron LaClair now!!     Shawn

[JDice]

I have tried "traditional bike hunting" and like it for the same reasons already mentioned. I do have one problem on which I would like to get input - sweat. Riding any distance results in me generating a LOT of sweat. Given that you guys sweat after riding - do you carry extra clothes, do you hunt wet, etc?

[Drew]

I've ridden my bike for years hunting, especially small game before I could drive.

I've always rode my mountain bike while turkey hunting as I can get in and out of areas quietly!

Since i've been bowhunting alot of public lands I like to ride my bike as I can get to areas further in than the typical road/trail edge hunters.

I also like it ride while the corn is up or just coming off...I can access many of my stands faster than walking or driving.

I just rattle can painted my old mountain bike and I've watched people walk by it a few feet off the trail and never notice it.

One thing to note is on public land I make sure to let people know I'm coming behind them or toward them at night, I've freaked more than one bowhunter and people riding horses out!

As for sweat, I just dress light when it's a hot fall and take it easy....of course it's pretty flat around my area.

[Oregon Okie]

This is a cool thread. Anyone ever try the B.O.B. trailer. It has one wheel at the back so I don't know if it would get too heavy w/ meat in it or not. It's good for trails though because the one wheel just tracks the bike and it's pretty narrow.
Russ

[TNstickn]

I hunt some places here in TN that have bike or foot traffic only, so I bike in if the weather is dry. Paths are not safe enough when its wet. I have not fully went with the Trad bike look yet. Mine looks like a regular mountain bike. LOL. I think my Cammo Crocs will fit right in though!!!  -Greg