electric bikes

[Iyusaam]

A few brands market heavy-duty hunting electric bike with 750W–1000W motors and fat tires. Those handle towing better than cheaper commuter trikes. Battery size matters—big loads on hills drain smaller packs quickly.
I recently tested the Birch Grolar, and the all-wheel drive system is impressive. It handled steep inclines and rough terrains effortlessly.

 

[TheDudeAbides]

You want the walk beside mode on them.

I drug my ice fishing sled across the ice and up a hill to the truck with one last year.

I imagine with a deer skid you could do the same thing.

Towing on an e-bike with a skid or sled through the woods would require the use of a helmet IMO, but walking and letting the motor tow it is a good option.

A cart gives you ~150lbs (depending on model) and would be easier to ride with the bike than a skid or sled that tends to catch on things.

With this being said, It would probably be best to build your own cart than use a lot of the e bike carts.

It's doable in your situation, but just make sure you have a dealer close by that can work on it if it breaks.

Not all bike shops work on e-bikes and not all e-bikes have parts readily available.

 

[MTGamecock]

You want the walk beside mode on them.

This.
I have the Quietkat Ranger 7.5 with the one-wheel trailer. I bought it used with jut 21 miles on it from a guy who bought it for hunting but said it "didn't work" for the way he hunts. I think that is probably often the case because folks buy them without really understanding the limitations of the bikes, how to use them effectively, and how to incorporate them into _their_ style of hunting.

If I need something to take me down a smooth dirt road, I can just drive my pickup. I use the bike on roads down which I'm not comfortable taking my truck. Those types of roads are pretty technical and require considerable work on my part. Frankly, they aren't the kinds of roads I want to _ride_ down pulling a trailer loaded with 100lbs of anything. Remember, unless your trailer has integrated brakes, it's not just a matter of whether your bike will pull it, but will it STOP it. I think the walk-beside mode is essential.

They have their uses and some advantages over ATVs (you don't need a trailer or a place to store the ATV and trailer), but they definitely have some disadvantages to ATVs as well. They aren't a straight-up alternative - they require some planning, practice, and coordination. For anybody thinking about buying one for the first time, I'd suggest renting one or borrowing one and riding it on the kinds of roads you think you'll use it.

 

[Wildabeest]

I went with the Bakcou Scout. Local company and the owners are big time hunters. I’ll use it more for exploring than hunting. The thing is a tank - weighing in at ~80lbs.

 

[belshawelk]

Sorry to be that guy but a mountain bike with any motor or e bike is blasphemy. I hunt with my mountain bike all the time. Leg powered.

I know................ you can blast past me in some areas, Ill just wave. but use your legs and I blast past you.

 

[TheDudeAbides]

This.
I have the Quietkat Ranger 7.5 with the one-wheel trailer. I bought it used with jut 21 miles on it from a guy who bought it for hunting but said it "didn't work" for the way he hunts. I think that is probably often the case because folks buy them without really understanding the limitations of the bikes, how to use them effectively, and how to incorporate them into _their_ style of hunting.

If I need something to take me down a smooth dirt road, I can just drive my pickup. I use the bike on roads down which I'm not comfortable taking my truck. Those types of roads are pretty technical and require considerable work on my part. Frankly, they aren't the kinds of roads I want to _ride_ down pulling a trailer loaded with 100lbs of anything. Remember, unless your trailer has integrated brakes, it's not just a matter of whether your bike will pull it, but will it STOP it. I think the walk-beside mode is essential.

They have their uses and some advantages over ATVs (you don't need a trailer or a place to store the ATV and trailer), but they definitely have some disadvantages to ATVs as well. They aren't a straight-up alternative - they require some planning, practice, and coordination. For anybody thinking about buying one for the first time, I'd suggest renting one or borrowing one and riding it on the kinds of roads you think you'll use it.

Yeah, people that think they are a regular bike will be shocked at how different they are.

People that think they are an atv replacement, would be shocked how different there are as well.

A lot heavier and less maneuverable.

Actually fairly fun to ride around town and in parks.

Not as fun on vertical rocky and technical terrain.

I think that game trails, gated areas where they are allowed (Like the national elk refuge in Jackson) or going to a stand or blind quietly are the ideal use.

~70 mi limit depending on how fast you drain the battery is also something to consider. I always take a second battery for the peace of mind as well.

They are a tool, but I don't think in most situations it will be beneficial for most people.

It's more of a specialized tool.

 

[Wind Gypsy]

Rent her a little pick up from uhaul for 20 bucks a day

 

[TheDudeAbides]

The issue with Uhauls is they are $20 a day + 0.19 a mile. They can add up pretty quickly if you have a long ways to go

 

[noharleyyet]

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[noharleyyet]

 

[INMT]

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No pilots license required?!? Can’t see that ending badly.

 

[mevertsen]

No pilots license required?!? Can’t see that ending badly.

Ultralight- so its under the weight requirement for pilot license.

I actually think its pretty cool.

Obviously hunting big game would be problematic.

But the technology is neat

 

[INMT]

Ultralight- so its under the weight requirement for pilot license.

I actually think its pretty cool.

Obviously hunting big game would be problematic.

But the technology is neat

I get that. My family’s full of pilots.

I just picture a bunch of these buzzing around cities as air taxis as the site stated with untrained “pilots” ending badly.

A little different than a hobbyist in an ultralight.

 

[GoDawgs1266]

They seem like they'd be pretty cool for turkey hunting, but they are so expensive now just buy a golf cart lol

 

[Shaq2424]

Electric bikes can be beneficial, but ATV is the way to go if you can get access.

 

[LCH]

They are pretty easy to build. I put a 1500 watt fat tire bike together for around $1k with Amazon and Walmart parts kits.

 

[Bonasababy]

Electric bikes can be beneficial, but ATV is the way to go if you can get access.

Many of the best places do not allow ATVs And ATVs are much more likely to spook game.

Just be careful to check regs on e bikes. The faster and more powerful ones are being looked at for bans or may be already in some places.

 

[Wildabeest]

Many of the best places do not allow ATVs And ATVs are much more likely to spook game.

Just be careful to check regs on e bikes. The faster and more powerful ones are being looked at for bans or may be already in some places.

From a federal standpoint, unless otherwise specifically allowed, ALL e-bikes are forbidden on non-motorized trails on FS and BLM. Local land managers have the authority to issue exceptions on specific parcels, but I’m not aware of any that have been excepted.

State regs on State land vary.

The class 1/2/3 stuff mostly only applies on regular roads and sidewalks and determines whether it’s classified as a bike or motorcycle for legal, licensing and insurance purposes. From what I’ve seen, they don’t enforce any of that class stuff since I see kids running around everywhere (including sidewalks) on class 3 bikes who are far too young to have a drivers license and there’s no plates on the bike.

 

[WVHUNTER99]

Not sure if you hunt public but some states limit the wattage

 

[Wildabeest]

Not sure if you hunt public but some states limit the wattage

Definitions of Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes have become fairly consistent. Class 1 usually means no more that 750 Watts, must be pedal assist (ie. no throttle) and max speed of 20 mph. That's generally what (a) is still classified as a bicycle vs. a motorcycle from a DMV/DOT standpoint, and (b) what is permitted on non-motorized trails if permitted at all. That being said, I've seen little to no enforcement either on roads or trails of the rules around e-bikes.