Question for the bicycle bow hunters

[Armadillo]

how are you mounting your bow? I see all kinds of racks to fit over the rear tire but is there an easier way to securely hold the bow besides a backpack?

[funkster]

You can go to cabela's or whole sale sports and get a atv gun or bow rack! Most of them will fit on the bikes handle bars no problem. I have tried everything from a back pack to a cart and I think mounting the bow on the handle bars is the way to go. Make sure you have a good kickstand,the extra weight will make your front end a little heavy when you stop to glass or call. Here is a link so you can get an idea what to look for.http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabelas/s7_523550_imageset_03?$main-Large$

[billythekidrock]

Too much rattling on the bike as well as the possibility of it tipping over. My brother and I use the Eberlestock Slingshot Pack. http://www.cabelas.com/p-0046770517769a.shtml

[rasbo]

I used the ones that mount on the handle bars,they will rattle, if ya use some bunjees it helps..I dont use a kick stand...I lay the bike down in a safe area and hunt.I now use it with a muzzle loader.I sling my gun across my back...strap my pack on the back my rack has a built in bunjee cord system works great..I also have fenders front and back..got sick of mud in the face...fun way to hunt..

[EastWaViking]

Why would the handlebar bow holder rattle on a bicycle?  Shouldn't it work just the same on a bike as it does a 4 wheeler?  Enlighten me, because I was thinking of using a bike this fall too.

[rasbo]

Why would the handlebar bow holder rattle on a bicycle?  Shouldn't it work just the same on a bike as it does a 4 wheeler?  Enlighten me, because I was thinking of using a bike this fall too.

the racks dont rattle the bow always seems to..Now if Im just crusing real slow it works good..But flying out in the evening it does get the bow rattling..those forks make zero noise..Ive had my arrows pop out also..If I was still bow hunting I would still use them.

[Armadillo]

That seems like a great way to carry the bow, I was thinking that the bow would be too heavy on the handlebars but if it works then sweet!! definitely going that route. I wonder if the rattle could be helped by lining the rack with foam as a cushion or weatherstripping tape

[rose-n-arrows]

-I have a Hawkeyebilt Cart so I haul my bow in on that.  Yes, it bounces also, but my bow is inside my bow bag (unzipped for quick access).  It's secured with bungee cords with one cord that goes across the top so I can hop off the bike, undo one cord and grab my bow.  Very fast.  The front of the bike is going to absorb a lot of shock. Our friend has a bunch of bungees and the handlebar mount but it always seems to slip some and it takes a while to undo all of the bungees.  I imagine you wil be on logging roads which are VERY bumpy and generally not maintained so there's a huge amount of vibration and I've seen sight pins jiggled out of their proper setting. The worst thing is, if you bite it, your bow bites it.  The backpacks equipped with bow carrying flaps are okay if you have a longer torso, but the bow tends to get caught up on the back of the bicycle seat if you don't.  If you attach the bow to your pack with bungees diagonally it might work for you.  I think the post about adding some padding is a good idea-something between the handlebar mount and the bow that will absorb some of the shock.  Good luck!

[funkster]

I don't have an issue with rattling at all. Take a piece of thick sticky felt(you can get it at any fabric store)and line the inside of the bow holder,this will quiet it up,it also helps in wet weather. Take some time and get it to fit right,you can bend the arm of the mounts for a custom fit. Trust me on the kickstand,get a real heavy duty one,they are about $20 and are worth the weight in gold,it is a pain to take your bow on and off every time you wanna glass a cutt or make a quick bathroom break. I had the slingshot pack but it didn't really work for me,I can have my bow out of the holder in 8 sec.

We tried the cart thing too,that is how my crew got it's name..GDCC the "ground down cam crew"

[rose-n-arrows]

We tried the cart thing too,that is how my crew got it's name..GDCC the "ground down cam crew"
[/quote]

I'm sorry.   That sucks but it's a little funny.  Was it just one bow or more?

[Kain]

I dont get any rattling at all either.  Very secure and with a kick stand and level ground it is very stable.  

[funkster]

We tried the cart thing too,that is how my crew got it's name..GDCC the "ground down cam crew"

I'm sorry.   That sucks but it's a little funny.  Was it just one bow or more?
[/quote]

Yeah,we laugh at it now! The FIRST time it was three bows and the SECOND time it was just one,then we said forget that If you hit a rock on a uneven downhill say good by!

[Kain]

My dad was having a trouble with his mounts because of where his shifters and brakes were so he got some of those handle bar ends and put the mounts on those.  Worked out really good.
They were not these ones but similar.

http://www.amazon.com/IBIS-ROSIE-HANDLEBAR-BAR-ENDS-MOUNTAIN/dp/B000XPWLNQ

[funkster]

Kain,good point I forgot about those. I do have those on my bike and like you said,it makes all the difference. I just upgraded my rack and bag yesterday with this nice unit http://www.topeak.com/mediafiles/products/64/  We should make a show like 'pimp my ride" and "trick my truck" it could me "bling my hunting bike" I'll try to get some pics of my set up today. I am hoping to get a new bike next season. I had a few reatail ideas for us bike hunters.

[Kain]

Here are some links to mountain bike hunting articles.

http://www.gameandfishmag.com/hunting/hunting-gear/RA_0808_08/index.html
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/hunting_articles/bikes.htm
http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,16387.0.html

These guys build some nice carts and are down in Oregon.

http://www.hawkeyebilt.com/