Anyone Use a Mountain Bike for HOG Hunting?

[Nala]

Hey all,

I have been curious about this since reading about how some used them for hog hunting trips on the BIG WMA's down here in Texas.

I used to ride mountain bikes all the time, but don't anymore.  Now that I am going to be out chasing hogs in a few of the BIG PUBLIC LAND tracts close to me in Houston, I thought I'd seriously look into getting one again.  I would much rather pedal than walk, if I can and have the choice.

I'd like to ask you all about how you use them and whether you use them for HOG stalking.  Do you keep them on a trail pretty much or do you just take off and go wherever the mood hits you knowing that you can shift down into your 1st gear and just about pedal through anything and small obstacles.

Sam Houston Nat. Forest is 109,000 acres!  You can easily see how a bike would come in very handy in a place like that.  Besides, I would wager that you can easier get close on a Bike than on your feet.

What do you all think?  Do you keep it to a well worn path and then chain it to a tree later on when you get far enough in that you think it would be good to hunt?

How about some PICS of your ride?  I'd like to see how you all have your Hunting Bikes are set up and rigged out.

Thanks for your help.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Nalajr

[killinstuff]

Where we hunt in Texas, you would have two flat tires within 100 yards.

[Gil Verwey]

Here is an old link on Mountain Bikes for hunting.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=091681

[Terry Green]

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

     

I use one frequenly.....but not 8n tx....might be some special tires for that....talk to a Mt bike specialist.....you would enjoy the bike if the tire issue could be addressed.

[nineworlds9]

I have a bike for this purpose, but have not used it yet, perhaps 2015 will be the year.  My advice, use something CHEAP, that way if someone tries to get a five finger discount you won't be out much dough.  Get a cheap old $20-50 bike off Craigslist.  I would also take some spray paint and while you don't have to totally camo it, at least spray some dull colors here and there to knock down the shine and not make it stand out so much.  

I will tell you this, it is QUIET, dry leaves excepting of course.  I hike in to my spots carefully and quietly and one time a couple years back a fella passed me on the logging road with his tree stand on his back and MAN he about scared the daylights out of me in the dark...I couldn't hear him rolling through the soft grass pedaling at all.  Crazy.  My foot falls made more noise and I was actually trying to be quiet.

I think the key to this is to keep everything well lubed and in good tune.

Definitely invest in some tubes with 'Slime' or some puncture resistant tires...you don't want to have to haul a 25-30# bike out of the woods with flats.  

Also, you can hook up a game cart to the bike, talk about convenience.

Like I said, I have a bike ready, but haven't used it yet out of simplicity, but a bike definitely helps when wanting to cover a few miles to a spot.

[grizzlyxx]

Haven't used one for hogs but for deer often.  Check into getting some Kevlar liners for tires, I not sure name brand.  Most big bike shops carry them.

[ChuckC]

I would, 'cept for what was stated above, plus, the places I have been to down in Texas do not allow bicycles, quads or the like.

CHuckC

[drewsbow]

you can't get a hog on one of those things anyway

[Wudstix]

Good tires and a light weight cart to pull behind you would be prome.  I roll up on deer in the green belt all the time.  A good chain would also be needed, saddly.  For places that have a many mile hike in these would be a great idea.(greater than 5 miles)

[Roadkill]

Made whitetail hunting in VA easy 30 years ago.  They have their place

[Nala]

I have a best buddy that has owned a top notch Bike shop back in my Hometown of Huntington, WV for many years and I have bought several bikes from him over the years.  I don't have one now though.

I know you can get reinforced tires for them now too.  There are also those new MTB's that have those HUGE, BALLOON style tires on them now.  Those things are cool, but heavy.  They also only have 7 speeds which could really sting you if you came upon a nice little hill or incline where you need all the help those "Granny Gears" can give you.

I remember back several years ago going into his shop all the time to hang out and bit and seeing the stuff that could be attached to the bikes even then.  They had baby carriage type things that are pulled behind bikes and other similar types of setups.  There is no doubt in my mind that you could get a "wagon" type thing and mount it to your seat post and pull it along behind you in case you were taking a tree stand along or you get lucky and bust a BIG BOAR and have to get him out.
I've had my body loaded down with some pretty darn big travel bags like great big gym bags and still was able to climb on my bike and ride away for a mile or so to my friends house where we were leaving from so I am pretty sure I could ride out with the meat and head from a big hog bagged up and in my pack on my back if I had to.

The problem is that I haven't ridden in a while.  I'll have to get used to it all over again and now I don't have the dexterity and fluid motion that I once had.  Not even close.

Gonna look on Craigs List to see what might be lurking for sale at a deal.  Don't know whether it would be best to get a front or front and rear suspension bike for the task.  That full suspension adds a helluva lot of weight though.  By the time you got it ready to hit the woods, your bike would likely weigh nearly 45 pounds if it was a full suspension.

Oh well.  Gotta do more investigating.  I need to talk to someone that has been to the WMA's I am wanting to go to and see if there are trails or access roads that would make getting to parts of the land pretty painless.

Any info you want to add or post pics of your set up, feel free.  Everyone loves pics, especially of bikes that are set up as hunting "vehicles."

Have a good Weekend.

Nalajr

[Hoyt]

I used one for many yrs in Central Fl. management areas. I put a rack on the ones I owned to carry my tree stands..usually got about 3 yrs out of the cheap $50 ones from Walmart, but I left them in the woods crossed creeks halfway up the wheels every day, hauling hogs and deer out tied to the bike with seat up in body cavity and me walking along side the bike pushing them out.

I came to like women's bike best. It's easier to get on and off or to just stop and stand while on the bike if you have a tree stand on the back wheel rack.

A man's bike you have to lift your leg way over the tree stand as to where with a woman's there's no bar there to get in the way. Easier to tie game down on one if it is a man's with the bar.

[wtpops]

Use mine when ever i can. This was my rig while i live in California, Im in Arkansas now, my first season and haven't used it yet, have upgraded the bike though and cant wait to find an area to use it.

I use mine to get back in. Chain it up and then hunt. It saves the legs for the hunt and not the walk in and out, also saves the drag out. I can ride in as far as i want 2, 3, or 5 miles and not worry about dragging a animal out.


     

     

[Elkchaser]

Originally posted by killinstuff:
Where we hunt in Texas, you would have two flat tires within 100 yards.

Where I live in Montana, we have "goatheads" that when you hit one, you end up with about 4 to 12 of the spiky little rascals in each tire. After about 3 rides of getting a flat each ride, I converted my mountain bike tires to tubeless, using Stan's No-Tube sealant system. Not a flat since. I'll even aim for them now!!

You can also use Slime in your tubes. Available at any bike shop or WalMart.

Bikes can definitely take you further, faster!

[Gil Verwey]

Rick what is the make of the cart you are pulling behind the bike? Also how much weight can it carry?

Thanks
Gil

[TxAg]

In that part of the state flat tires are much less of a concern than in the central, western, and southern parts.  The biggest issue might be getting through all the mud.

I would pass on the cart and just carry a good back pack. when you kill a pig, cut out the hams and backstraps and toss in your pack. No need for gutting or troubling yourself getting the whole pig out.

I do know that in parts of SHNF there are horse trails. A bike would be perfect to get you far in and you could park and walk as you see fit.

[wtpops]

Originally posted by Gil Verwey:
Rick what is the make of the cart you are pulling behind the bike? Also how much weight can it carry?

Thanks
Gil

Cant remember the make, i looked for a long time on the internet to find it. It has a hard plastic bed, side and end  rails open and fold down. It was rated for 150# and that was due to the spoke bike rims that came with it. I up graded it with the composite BMX rims. I would not be afraid to put 200 on it but you have to take into account that you have to be able to stop when going down hill if loaded with a lot of weight.

[Rick Butler]

Last Spring when we were down to Wild Things a couple of the guys brought Mtn. Bikes to get around the property trails and roads on, and said they were a big help.  This Spring I'll be taking one with me when we go.