A Trail Less Traveled by Jon E. Silks

Imagine a time and place in history where a hunter pursued his quarry without any distractions whatsoever. Success depended on his mastery of the hunt - not beating someone else to the punch. A place where the game rarely saw a human and often grew to full maturity. Sound like folklore from long ago? Believe it or not, that place is much closer than you think, and the time is now!

All over the country, from Oregon to Pennsylvania, and Canada to Mississippi, diligent hunters can still find these sanctuaries. The problem isn’t whether or not the opportunity exists, but whether or not you can be there to take advantage of the opportunity. And here’s the real kicker – your own private sanctuary is not impossible to reach. In fact, it’s well within your grasp with the right approach. A few years back, a friend invited me to join him on a mountain bike hunt that literally changed the landscape of my bowhunting adventures!

Why a Mountain Bike?
Other than the experience of hunting in an environment similar to the one mentioned above, numerous other advantages await the bike-wielding bowhunter. A major plus for many is the amount of time saved. This is certainly the most popular answer to the question, “Why use a bike?” Most of the individuals that populate the hunting community have a strict work schedule to keep. A few hours before or after work may be all that is available, and in these situations walking long distances to your stand is not practical. A mountain bike however will put you on the same stand in ¼ of the time!

Another common problem that I’ve heard echoed by an increasing number of bowhunters is overcrowding and highly pressured game. Have you ever been frustrated with hunting areas in this category and wish you could just get away from it all? I have! Not far from my home, there is a beautiful tract of land that holds good whitetail numbers and some of the largest bucks the area has to offer. Of course I’m not the only one that knows about it and the scene on the archery opener is similar to that of throwing a big, juicy pork chop to a pack of hungry dogs! In the end, one dog actually comes away with the prize, a few others bark angrily at each other but most just go home discouraged and still hungry. This all usually occurs within one mile – that’s right – ONE mile of the road. You should have seen the wide eyes and surprised expressions when I pulled my bike and gear from my truck this past season! This dog had a longer leash! I pushed my bike around the gate and was on my way to a peaceful hunt. Less than five minutes into the ride I came upon two hunters walking the trail that were loaded down with treestands, backpacks and bows. I Slowed down, warned them of my approach and then rode on. Just as I was passing, one of them said, “Why didn’t we think of that?!” To make a long story short, there was a “grade-A pork chop” headed for my freezer at the end of the day!

Until I met Bob Barto, an avid bowhunter from Utah, I never thought of a mountain bike as an advantage for those with minor disabilities. According to Bob, who has an artificial knee, using a mountain bike makes it physically possible for him to have a better hunt. Walking the distances required to get to his stand can be painful, especially if any extra equipment is needed. The pedaling motion of a bike however does not aggravate his knee and traveling the needed distance is once again possible. Bob often uses a mountain bike on his bowhunts for deer, elk and hogs - Successfully!

Other advantages abound, including: increased sightings of mature animals; covering a large area of ground in a shorter time while locating elk or turkey, the satisfaction that comes from getting into remote areas on your own, and one of the biggest – scouting!

As for me, a big part of the mountain bike bowhunting lure is the adventure and wilderness experience that naturally comes with it. This is especially true in states like Idaho and Montana where there are thousands of miles of old trails and gated logging roads running through some of the most remote areas the United States has to offer. Few things make me feel more alive than pursuing game in an area that has gone mostly untouched by outside influences.

Location, Location, Location
After sparking someone’s interest in using a bike, the first question I usually hear is, “How do I find a place to hunt?” Many times it’s simply by word-of-mouth or a tip from a friend, but most often I turn to topographical maps. Topo maps covering nearly every inch of US soil can be found online, at your local sporting goods shop, or by calling one of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) business partners. A list of these partners can be found on the USGS Website (http://www.usgs.gov). These maps not only reveal the distance to a certain location, but also the terrain that you will encounter along the way. Topo maps are easy to read once you get the hang of it. For a better understanding of topo map reading, visit the USGS web site (listed above) and click on the “mapping” icon. Generally, abandoned logging roads and trails will be denoted with a single dashed line, while unimproved roads will be called out with a double dashed line. Unimproved roads are quite often gated and restricted to authorized motor vehicles, foot traffic and bicycles. Also while searching, look for abandoned railroad beds. Many times these old railways are easy traveling and run far from any other mode of access.

Another tool I use is the aerial photograph. Once a potential hunting location has been located with my topo maps, I search http://www.terraserver.com for a correlating aerial photo. These maps provide additional detail not found on a topo, such as the density of the cover in a particular area. At times you can locate bedding areas, feeding areas and funnels – without ever having been there! An aerial photograph can give you the edge when physical scouting is not possible.

No matter how you find a place to hunt, be sure to gain permission to hunt on, or even cross privately owned land. This is one area that we, as sportsmen and sportswomen, cannot afford to overlook. If your hunt is on public land, check the regulations to be sure bicycles are permitted. Also, plan a scouting trip prior to the actual hunt. This will not only serve to increase your odds of success, but will also reveal any obstacles you may encounter along the way that were not on the topo.

The Nuts and Bolts of the Matter
Gearing up for a mountain bike bowhunt can be done for next to nothing, or can just as easily require a second mortgage on your house! The only special equipment my first five or six bike hunts involved was a borrowed bike with absolutely no suspension, and duct tape used for securing a flashlight to the handlebars. With a treestand on my back and a bow in my hands, I was ready for the “tour de’ hunt”.

Since those early days, the frequency of my biking trips and the difficulty of the trails have increased to the point of warranting an equipment upgrade. For the sake of my aging body, I invested in a lighter bike that has dual suspension and dual hydraulic disc brakes. Other accessories that aid in comfort and safety include lighting systems for nighttime trips, bow holders for handlebars, bike locking chains, and trailers or racks for overnight excursions. Being creative can save you some money when it comes to accessories. A few mountain bike bowhunters have told me how they have modified their pull-behind child carriers, welded extensions onto handlebar or seat mounted racks, and designed their own bow holders to save money.

As with any other equipment, a bike can fail. So be ready with a chain tool, spare tire tubes, a selection of hex keys and a few CO2 inflators, all of which should fit easily into a small seat pack. Last, but certainly not least, is a helmet. Some immediately balk at the idea of wearing a helmet for one reason or another, however, I look at it in the same light as wearing a safety harness for treestand hunting – it’s the cheapest insurance you can buy! Two years ago, I was descending a trail when my front tire struck a sizeable rock bringing the bike to an immediate halt. I, however, continued down the trail - airborne! After a rude re-introduction to earth I stumbled to my feet and assessed the damage. Thanks to my helmet, what could have been an ugly situation turned out to be nothing more than a short delay.

Without fail, the question of scent control comes up when discussing mountain bike bowhunting. Most bowhunters, myself included, are particular about scent control. To avoid unnecessary odor on trips that require significant exertion, I always pack my hunting clothes in a roll-top, dry duffel bag. Once at my destination, my hunting clothes are unpacked from the duffel bag to make room for my biking clothes. Before putting my hunting clothes on, I wipe down using a cloth dampened with a scent eliminating solution. I also rely heavily on Scent-Lok to aid in keeping me scent free while Bowhunting by bike. Don’t cut corners here - the nose knows!

Trails End
A growing number of bowhunters all over the country are already reaping the rewards of mountain bike bowhunting. I’ve personally talked with hunters who have taken mule deer, whitetails, turkey, elk, antelope, hogs, bear, and sheep on mountain bike trips. Don’t be left in the dust, spinning your wheels in unproductive areas. Success may be just beyond the next rise or around the next corner!