Mtn. Bike Anyone ?

B

BirddogGSP

Active member
Has anyone ever used a mountain bike to access some of the really bad unimproved roads? Dog is out of action this year so willing to try something different. Might get some exercise in the process.... Surely wouldn't use on lots of roads due to speeding and dust... or is this a really bad idea ?
 
Sorry to hear about the acl. I think a bike would be a great way to get back to the truck hunting ditches. I say go for it.
 
Highvoltage said:
For me it's more about dog work than just shooting birds.
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Offer the man your dog???

I'd also say yes go for the mtn bike attack if the roads are crappy & has been wet but most guys in SD just drive most any min magnince road if it dry they don't care bout ruts or a Lil mud... I've done all but 1 of my SDhunts from a mini van... But if roads are gumbo & u think a bike will get u back to un hunted areas due to bad roads go for it you will kill birds...

I've also done bike & or long long walks on goooey roads to hunt areas not hunted in days Id do it any day my favorite scenario areas not hunted due to hard access...

Have fun this season & sorry bout the dogs acl if u need a dog let me know I'll see what I can do better to go hunt then sit home & bum out...
 
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BirddogGSP said:
Has anyone ever used a mountain bike to access some of the really bad unimproved roads? Dog is out of action this year so willing to try something different. Might get some exercise in the process.... Surely wouldn't use on lots of roads due to speeding and dust... or is this a really bad idea ?
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My view point as a local in South Dakota is if it works for you go for it. I have never seen it but when roads are muddy I would rather have a bike on them that a bunch of pickups rutting everything up. Good luck.
 
I would be worried about wiping out with a gun on my back. That sounds horrible to me! My luck I would have to carry the bike and gun back to the truck with scraped up knees. My opinion. But I would not go without a dog so you are more motivated than me.
 
I am thinkin one of those jobbies with the huge fat tires would be the ticket.

What if a pheasant gets up in the ditch while you are biking?? Can you shoot from the bike or do you have to lay it down and get 5 steps away from it before you can shoot:)

I agree though that success often comes down to simply going where others will not go and doing what others will not do.
 
That would be an interesting question for the warden. I'd bet the books say's motorized vehicle. I would just use the bike to cover more ground. Probably drop bike on one side of ditch and then walk back on the other. A little block and drop..My foremost concern is safety.. most concerned about cars speeding and getting hit by car. The bike simply allows me to go where nobody wants to go. The Surley Pugsley would certainly get the job done.
 
Sorry to here about the dog injury! I was simply trying to say that I won't go without a dog. I hate hitting, and not recovering game. Not that we are always able to even with a dog but almost impossible without, and I'm a bad shot. If you're with a group already I'm sure there is a dog you will be hunting with. Good luck. :cheers:
 
I used to use a bike a lot to access non -motorized areas for elk/ deer hunting. I showed up at someones back country horse camp on my bike one day and they couldn't believe their eyes.
Also, me and a buddy ended up packing a bear out on a bike once. Quite a sight, draped the head and front legs over the handle bars tied it down and pushed it out.
You can cover a lot of ground quick on a bike. I really like the idea. It would be great way to get back to your truck when ditch hunting; just drop it off at the end of the cover, drive to the other end, hunt the ditch and ride back to the truck. Save a lot of time and leg wear.
No problem carrying a gun, just get a shotgun sling.
 
wyosteve said:
I used to use a bike a lot to access non -motorized areas for elk/ deer hunting. I showed up at someones back country horse camp on my bike one day and they couldn't believe their eyes.
Also, me and a buddy ended up packing a bear out on a bike once. Quite a sight, draped the head and front legs over the handle bars tied it down and pushed it out.
You can cover a lot of ground quick on a bike. I really like the idea. It would be great way to get back to your truck when ditch hunting; just drop it off at the end of the cover, drive to the other end, hunt the ditch and ride back to the truck. Save a lot of time and leg wear.
No problem carrying a gun, just get a shotgun sling.
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I have a book from maybe 20 years where the author suggests that with a twist. You'd start at the truck with the bike and one guy would ride ahead a ways and block while the other walked. The guys would rotate walking and riding until they got about as far away from the truck as they wanted to ride and then drew straws to see who rode back to get it.
 
As far as car traffic if u are there for opener or deer opener u mite need goggles due to dust clouds lol but wear i hunt u would not have much to worry vehicle traffic wise guys will move over for u they will probably look at ya funny... Or stop & chat & rib ya a Lil... I get a Lil crap for using a grocery getter out on SD pheasant hunts lol
 
Sorry to hear about the bummed dog, that's a real drag. I'm dealing with a busted toe, but thats not as major.

I mountain bike throughout the summer, usually with my dog, in order to keep us both in shape. I do use my bike to access one of my deer hunting spots - I found that I kept bumping deer on the way in if I walked, so I tried biking in one day (since I would often see deer while biking, and they didn't seem bothered). Sure enough, I can zip in nice and quitely, stash the bike and be in my stand without bumping any deer.

As far as bird hunting, I think it'd work quite well. You can cover more ground than walking, and definitely see more and be more aware than being in a truck. Go for it and let us know how it works out!
 
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