Mtn bike / trailer for hunting

[Bango skank]

Im looking to get a mountain bike for hunting and scouting behind locked gates in non motorized areas.  And a small trailer i can pull with it to pack camp in, pack game out.  Maybe a rifle rack on the handle bars.  Havent had a bike since i was a kid, dont know squat about them.  Looking for general info, suggestions, things to know / consider / look for / avoid.  Thanks.

[TommyH]

Get a bike with disc brakes if you can. I converted a couple of kid haulers for my trailers. Can pack in alot of gear for camping.

[Shaqdiesel]

I got a diamondback with front suspension and disc brakes and it didn’t break the bank, has served me well for the last 5 years

[TommyH]

Camp gear for 3 days.

[JakeLand]

I would say getting the correct size of a bike for your size body is more important then disc brakes ! Go to any bike shop and they’ll size you up to what size bike is best otherwise the wrong size will wear you out quickly!
For bike trailer I’m partial to the burly nomad it can carry a whole buck or bear or a whole boned out elk and they’re bulletproof!

[Mfowl]

Anyone use a single wheel trailer vs the double? Do the trailers ever hang up on rocks/wood/brush and cause problems or knock you over?

[Bullkllr]

All bike trailers  for hunting are a compromise, imo. Small enough to use while hunting, or big enough to haul a whole elk...? Then do you pay for custom, or DIY? Do you then need a brake system...? Does it make sense just to make more trips?

I have for years used a Cabelas "game hauler" 2 wheeled cart hitched to the seat post. Mine is 1" square aluminum, strong and wide. Carries a whole elk easily, but the ride out with that much weight can be hairy to say the least. I've been knocked off the bike a few times on down hills depending only on the bike brakes. Never had a problem with brush- when on roads at least- but you need a really wide path to get it off the road much.

Hardest part was figuring out a reliable swivel/hitch. It's too big and bulky to be desirable while actually hunting. I have typically stashed it 'down low' when not hunting from a bike-in camp.

Day trips for deer I never bother with it. The bike itself makes a nice deer cart. I might bring a small trailer if I had one.

[kselkhunter]

I had an old game cart that I converted into a bicycle cart.  Was pretty easy. 

I bought this to attach to it as a tow arm:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D5ZTWME/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And I bought this to attach the tow arm to my bike hub (more stability than a seatpost attach IMO) and swivels and pivots nicely when cornering
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011TLU5J4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So if you already have a sturdy game cart lying around, this is a $60 modification.   (note: I took the photo before I drilled for the bolts, yes that is duct tape holding the arm to the cart, just to test the initial theory...that duct tape held for the multi-mile test ride on my gravel roads in the neighborhood....I was amused).

[Bullkllr]

KSelkhunter:
That cart is similar to mine; my partner has the exact same one.

As I said, mine is attached at the seat post. I rigged my own hitch; my partner bought a "tandem" tow arm (designed for attaching kids bike to adult bike).
Guessing your's is indeed more stable. With the cart angled like that, are you able to distribute the weight over the cart axle?

[kselkhunter]

KSelkhunter:
That cart is similar to mine; my partner has the exact same one.

As I said, mine is attached at the seat post. I rigged my own hitch; my partner bought a "tandem" tow arm (designed for attaching kids bike to adult bike).
Guessing your's is indeed more stable. With the cart angled like that, are you able to distribute the weight over the cart axle?

 I like to load my camp gear into a plastic storage tote. With the tote pushed against the back over the wheels. And I put my rifle into a padded case and strap it to the upper part of the cart. Then my hunting backpack on top the tote or strapped to the top back. . On more elaborate trips I have even strapped a Coleman stove on top the tote. And a small cooler on top that. But that much weight is a leg burner. When in that heavy configured load stability can be challenging if there are large rocks on the trail. So I slow down for those sections.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Heres what we came up.with the cables 2 wheel cart with custom hillbilly hitch attach thingy to the seat post. Works great! You have the game cart to be able to haul meat to trail or road then hitch up.and pedal away. One important part was to be able to have someone push going up hills at comfortable height with out bending way down. Stuff you think about as you body ages.

[Clearcut]

Been hunting off a bike most my life. Size is a big deal. Make sure it fits you or like others have said you’ll be wore out quick. Disc breaks are a huge plus. Preferably hydraulic of cable. I have home made aluminum carts. Can haul out a whole elk if needed.( I quarter my elk out then bone out the rib cage)  Ideally half is comfortable. If you have good disc breaks going down isn’t a issue. Going up hills is a  little less fun

[ghosthunter]

Im looking to get a mountain bike for hunting and scouting behind locked gates in non motorized areas.  And a small trailer i can pull with it to pack camp in, pack game out.  Maybe a rifle rack on the handle bars.  Havent had a bike since i was a kid, dont know squat about them.  Looking for general info, suggestions, things to know / consider / look for / avoid.  Thanks.

[KFhunter]

This would be a good project to brush up on my gas welding skills, 4130 tubing.

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[Bango skank]

Any specific brands of bikes i might want to look at? And what about the fat tire thing? Pros / cons to the wide tires ive seen on bikes lately?