Benefits of Electric Hunting Bikes

Electric hunting vehicles have become quite popular due to their whisper-quiet operation and their ability to transport hunters, gear, and game without the noise and odors typically associated with gas-powered vehicles. A new type of electric vehicle has been catching on in hunting circles that we thought you should know about.

In recent years we have seen electric bicycles, often referred to as ‘e-bikes’, becoming more popular all over the world. Electric bicycles are a great method of eco-friendly travel and allow for adding to the practical range of a standard bicycle or mountain bike, permitting you to travel further than what many people could comfortably do in a day by just pedaling. An e-bike can be a great addition to your hunting bag of tricks, as the silent operation can get you in and out of the woods without your quarry ever being the wiser.

What is an e-bike?

At its core, an e-bike, or electric bike, is a regular pedal bike that has the additional benefit of being motorized. All electric bicycles have some type of integrated electric motor, used for propulsion, that operates off a rechargeable battery pack. 

There are many different types of electric bicycles available. Some bikes only offer a small motor that is designed to just assist the rider as the bike is pedaled. Higher-end electric bicycles with a moped-like operation have larger and more powerful motors that can propel the rider without the need for peddling. Most electric bicycles will have a display to keep you apprised of how much charge is left in the battery and some will also estimate how much farther you can go on the remaining charge.

Most electric bikes have a pedal assist function that allows you to travel farther than you would be able to on the battery alone. The motors on these pedal-assist bikes are usually designed to operate only while the bike is being pedaled. Additionally, the pedal-assist feature allows you to pedal the bike just like a non-electric bicycle, preventing you from becoming stranded miles from home, or a road, when the battery goes dead.

The distance range of electric bikes can vary greatly, with some of the higher-end e-bikes, like the Delfast Prime, being able to travel over 100 miles on a single charge. However, the range of the typical electric bicycle is between 20 and 35 miles. Of course, the bigger the battery the farther the bike will travel before requiring a recharge. The top speeds of e-bikes are typically between 20 and 35 MPH. 

As with speed and range, the price of electric bicycles can vary quite a bit. Lower-end e-bikes can be had for a few hundred dollars, but those bikes won’t have the same performance as the higher-end e-bikes. When shopping for an electric bike remember to always compare apples to apples and oranges to oranges.

Benefits of using an electric bike for hunting

There are many advantages to using an electric hunting bike, with the main benefits being they are smaller and less obtrusive. Other benefits include helping you to transport your equipment, handling challenging terrain, stealthy travel in and out of the woods, and recovering game. 

1. Transporting equipment

When outfitted with the proper racks, and maybe even a cargo trailer, electric hunting bikes can help you get all of your camping and hunting equipment in and out of the woods. Most e-bikes designed for off-road use will make short work of your tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, tree stand, and miscellaneous gear. Even if you have to make a few trips, think of being able to get all your gear into the woods without having to pack heavy loads on your back. 

For transporting equipment, a fat tire electric bicycle may have a slight advantage, as the wider tires will provide better traction and help to better distribute and balance the added weight of gear and game. Hunting e-bikes vary somewhat in the total amount of weight they can transport by make and model, but there are many e-bikes that can carry between 220 and 250 pounds. As just one example, the mid-level HaiBike SDURO HardNine 4.0 is a fairly lightweight and affordable 29-inch mountain e-bike that is suitable for off-road use. The Hardnine 4.0 is capable of carrying 250 pounds and has a maximum estimated range of 70 miles before recharge.

An additional benefit of using an electric bicycle for transporting your equipment is your gear won’t pick up any of the big game spooking smells of gasoline and other odors wildlife has come to associate with danger.

2. Handling difficult terrain

For rough terrain, all-electric hunting bikes are not created equal. Some work great on a flat, hard-packed trail or dirt road, but not so well going up a hilly trail covered with wet leaves, loose dirt, and gravel. A good off-road electric bicycle will allow you to access hunting areas farther back in the woods than you would typically want to walk in a day.

Fat tire bikes with a mid-crank, or mid-drive, motor drive system, like the QuietKat Warrior 1000, work well on rugged terrain as they have a lot of grades. Earlier e-bikes typically employed a rear-hub motor that works just dandy over level ground but just doesn’t have the torque, or power, that hunters need to climb up hills. However, the newer mid-crank motors produce enough torque to traverse the terrain on the way to your stand. However, everything is a trade-off.

The other side of the coin is electric bicycles with traditional-width tires, usually in the two-inch range, will typically go farther on a charge as there is not as much rolling resistance on the ground. That is something you will want to keep in mind if you won’t be near an electrical source to charge the bike’s batteries every night.

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3. Quiet movement

Obviously, one of the biggest advantages of using an electric bicycle for hunting is it will allow you to go over the river and through the woods with as little noise as possible. Electric bicycles will get you in faster, farther, and with the least amount of disturbance than anything else on wheels.

Compared to a four-wheel drive truck or SUV, e-bikes have no loud gasoline engines, two skinny tires that create less road noise than four wide ones, and weigh only a couple of hundred pounds, with a rider, as opposed to several thousand for that 4×4 and there are no doors to accidentally slam. Additionally, a bicycle-sized vehicle creates a lot less visual noise and can easily be stashed in the brush where that wise old buck will be a lot less apt to notice it.

All of this makes for a much quieter ride through the forest, and it’s always easier to find your prize when it doesn’t know you are looking for it. You can check your trail cameras, scout areas, put up your tree stands and get to and from your stand all in stealth mode. You may even be able to get a jump on your buddies in the morning by leaving camp so quietly that they won’t even know you are gone.

4. Recovering game

Depending on the type of e-bike, the terrain, and the species of game, an electric bicycle may even be able to help you pack out your kill. With an upper weight limit of 250 pounds, an electric bicycle won’t pack out a 200-pound rider and a 200-pound deer, at least not in one trip. However, if you hunt in a western state with remote hunting areas where the law allows you to pack out big game in sections, then an electric bicycle can be a tremendous help. An electric bicycle is also great for packing out  smaller game, like a limit of waterfowl, upland birds, or a turkey or two.   With a trailer attached to the back of your electric ride, there is always the option of putting that big buck in the trailer and walking beside the bike while the electric motor does all the work. That sure beats having to drag your deer out over the dry ground. When selecting a trailer it is a better bet to go with a trailer model that has a single wheel at the back of the cargo area. This type of single-wheel setup will create half of the drag of a two-wheeled trailer and also have a much narrower profile for getting up and down the trail. Also, a single wheel in the middle of the trail won’t get hung up on every rock and stick in the woods.

FAQs About Benefits of Electric Hunting Bikes

What are the primary benefits of using an electric hunting bike?

The primary benefits of using an electric hunting bike are that it is quieter than a traditional gas-powered vehicle, allowing for a stealthier approach when hunting; they are also more efficient and cost effective as there is no need to purchase or store fuel. Additionally, electric hunting bikes provide greater maneuverability due to their lightweight design and can be used in areas where larger vehicles cannot go.

How can electric hunting bikes enhance one’s overall hunting experience?

Electric hunting bikes can enhance one’s overall experience by providing the convenience of a motorized vehicle while still allowing hunters to get close to nature without disturbing it too much with loud engines or exhaust fumes. Additionally, electric hunting bikes offer increased agility and maneuverability in rough terrain that regular mountain bikes may not have access to.

How much quieter are electric hunting bikes compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles?

Electric hunting bikes are typically much quieter than traditional gas-powered vehicles, making them ideal for stealthy approaches when out in the field. Some models also come equipped with special mufflers designed to reduce noise even further, allowing hunters to stay undetected from their prey.

What features do modern electric hunting bikes offer that regular mountain bikes don’t have?

Modern electric hunting bikes offer features such as adjustable suspension systems which allow riders to adjust the height/firmness according their individual needs; they also often come equipped with built-in GPS tracking systems so that other members of your party can keep track of one another if needed OR lost signals will alert you if someone strays too far off course.

Are there any restrictions on where you can ride your electric hunting bike while out in the field?

Yes – most states/countries have regulations regarding what type of vehicles (including non-motorized) are allowed on public lands so make sure you check local laws before heading out into the field!

Wrapping up

Electric bikes come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and weight-carrying capabilities. While most e-bikes don’t look much different than traditional bikes, a  higher-end e-bike will set you back a couple of grand. Still, when you weigh all of the benefits of having an electric bicycle as a hunting vehicle, an e-bike may be worth the cost. Of course, you can also use your electric bicycle for other things as well (like getting back into your favorite fishing hole.)

As a final note, be sure you check local laws to determine if you can legally ride an e-bike in your hunting area. Many places, like designated wilderness areas, do not allow the use of any type of motorized equipment.

Trey

About the Author

Trey is a lifelong hunter and avid camper. He lives outside Denver, CO with his wife Kaci and their lab mix Ziggy. They spend as much time as possible outdoors - hunting, fishing, and camping.

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