So hello everyone! My name is Storm and I'm a new poster here. Been bowhunting all my life and my drivers license says I'm 40. After some frustrating run-ins with other hunters and foiled plans this past season, I've decided to get away from the crowds by peddling through the woods where the 4 wheeled types aren't allowed and most ppl won't hoof it into anyway. I have a Diamondback Outlook donated to me for the cause and before I begin the work of transforming it, I was wondering if any of you have done this, and if so, what are some of your recomendations? I am most concerned about my bows vibrations while mounted in a rack and sharp blades near an always potential wreck. Thanx in advance, ~=]o STORM
If it were me, I'd get a pack that would carry your bow like this one. I'd think this would keep you and your bow safer during the ride, Your body will protect the bow from branches and such. Mounting it to the bike just seems clumbsy to me, but if you do I'd mount it in the back and mount it so the riser is in the direction of the wheels (not sideways like the handlebars). just my 02 cents...
I've never done it but there was some talk of it a while back on here about riding right into the tree and never setting foot on the ground. Guy even said he almost collided with a deer because he was on it so fast and the deer had no clue he was there. Definitely a viable option if the terrain supports it.
I rode mine to retrieve my doe, Friday night. It saved me about 1/2mi. walk. My wife drove my pickup/trailer to pick up me, the doe and the bike, when I called her. I can't see riding it with everything I carry for a hunt (recurve/climber/clothes to dress into at tree). But, I'd do it if I hunted out of fixed stands, more.
Hunting public land earlier this year I saw a guy riding a mountain bike down the firetrial with a field dressed doe undernath him on the seat ...if you can invision that I thought it was a pretty good idea
I have ridden my bike in scouting, deer don't know what it is, therefore no freight. sounds funny to them I think, no engine noise, yet no foot steps. I think a pack on your back is your best bet. I would not attach the bow to my bike. I ride some pretty rugged down hill stuff in the summer, I'm pretty confident on my bike and still wouldn't want to drop my bike on my bow, at least if i stay on my feet with my bow on my back everything will be good to go.
Just started bowhunting this year, and am also a mt biker, but... I wouldn't personally ride during a hunt (something just seems too out of place about it for me.... and I carry too much gear...) however.. I have jumped deer while out mt biking. Kudos to you for not being afraid to do things your own way! be safe!
my concern would be sweating. hunting in New York, it is generally cold out and sweating prior to getting to my treestand = freezing cold shortly after sunup. thus ruining my hunt. maybe it is not an issue for your location though. just my thoughts... Sal
I have thought about this, was going to try and get one of those kids trailers for the bike and make a holder for my bow. I want to be able to ride back into some of the training areas on Quantico that other folks won't walk into... That or a cart that I convert to use a hitch of some kind. Still pondering this...let us know what you do. Sean
I rigged up an old Giant mountainbike for bowhunting this year. It's been awesome! It's like my public land atv. I purchased it used for $50.00, spray painted it camo and put some new tubes, and one new brake on the bike. I think I have $100 invested. On the handlbars I installed rubber gun rack holder like what you purchase for an atv. It works excellent, my bow sits in there snug and is yet to fall out after 10+ hunts with my bike and miles of riding. I carry my lone wolf stand on my back, doesn't get in the way at all, I believe some bigger stands could be a bit of a problem. Finally, I have a small bike rack in the back where I strap my pack with a bungee. I believe someone mentioned sweating. I don't sweat a lot with it, not any more than hiking in. I keep it in a high spinning gear and peddle easily. My public area is made up of brush hogged paths so ride a path close to where I want to hunt and hop off and hike in a short distance, usually less than 200 yards from the path. Works great. a hunt that might take an hour to hike to I ride to in 20 minutes or so. Start playing with it, you won't be disappointed.
I just found a trailer - new for $40.00 on a yard sale site here... Going to pick it up Sunday and will report back on my findings.
Some good pros and cons mentioned here. Sounds like it'd be worth a shot. You could always try it out scouting during the summer, if it works for you, use it in the fall during the season.
These are all excellent ideas. Thanx fellas. Now I'm kinda nervous about having sharp razors so close to my body if I wreck... just gonna have to ride safe. My friends and I were kidding around about mounting a bunch of large amber lens spotlights and a big crossbow on the handlebars... Love to see the wardens reaction to that!... LOL
I'd secure the arrows tighter than it sounds like you plan to. There would be no chance of them slipping for me to be willing to do this. I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to rig something up. Sounds like a great idea though, interested to hear how it works out.
