While the percentage of hunters who stake out game by __bike is small, there are clear advantages to ditching the ATV. You can access remote areas that are difficult to reach by motorized vehicle, and more easily approach animals that would be spooked by the sound of a four-wheeler. Plus, you’ll burn some extra calories while you’re bringing home dinner.
Here’s the gear you’ll need to get started.
It’s cool that the Cogburn CB4 comes in multiple camo patterns, but it’s the fat, 3.8-inch tires, low gearing (courtesy of a Shimano 2x10 drivetrain), and multiple fender and rack mounts that make it the ultimate machine for tracking animals and hauling meat. Cogburn even makes a handy Gear Carrier ($130), which mounts to any rear rack and safely hauls a bow or rifle.
Bontrager Jackalope wheels and Chupacabra tires ($95) are relatively lightweight yet burly enough to tame any trail, and set up tubeless in a snap to transform a bike into a supreme, human-powered ATV.
Constructed of 230-gram New Zealand Merino wool, the First Lite Chama Hoody is the most versatile piece of apparel you’re likely to buy, warm and cozy for the long waits spotting game but still cool enough for the high-intensity sprints that ensue once you see them.
The Garmin eTrex Touch 35T has to be considered the ultimate backcountry adventure GPS. It’s fairly small, has all the mapping capabilities you need, including the ability to upload supplemental topos and landowner boundaries, includes a bike mount, and runs off AA batteries, so you’ll never find yourself stranded in the woods because of dead rechargeables.
Good binoculars are probably the most crucial piece of gear for a successful hunt—if you can’t find the animals, you’ll never get them. The Maven B2s are the best glass for the money, with optics as sharp and clear as the finest binos on the market but at half the cost thanks to Maven’s direct-to-consumer model.
Of the three focal lengths available, the 9x45 is the best option for Western mountain big-game use. (Also available in entry-level 7x45 and top-of-the-line 11x45.)
The Kuiu Bino Harness puts your optics where you need them, on your chest for quick access, and the static yoke design with an easy on-and-off elastic retainer, keeps the binoculars from bouncing or swinging when you’re on the move.
No comments:
Post a Comment