This is last years big bull.  I don't have any shots of him in a trailer.

This is the camp i packed in on my bike

you can also pick up a light set up for your bike handlebars. I have found a headlamp in conjunction with a handlebar light set up works well.

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The mountain bike is a great access tool.  Just like your horse or atv, they get you to the hunting area, and than you hunt.  I don't hunt off of the bike, but use it to get me to the hunting area.  I do belief elk can hear and know the sound of a motor, the bike allows fairly silent access. 

Brakes on the bike are a big deal, Disc brakes and suspension help out alot.  you will want to carry a patch kit and small bike related multi tool and some chain lube.  The hunting season around here is very wet.  A plastic bag over the seat works well when the bike is sitting inthe brush. keeps the seat dry.  If you hide your bike, you usually don't have any issues of theft.  I would recommend getting into bike shape before hunting season.  It will make life alot easier.

If you can't tell, i really enjoy my elk trips via mountain bike.  I have also been known to cache firewood and water where i am going to camp ahead of time.  just another excuse to get out there.

My problem is my favorite hunting area has an old road that goes to my hunting area. It's gated, and only open to snowmobiles in the winter. From spring to the end of the hunting seasons it's closed off to anything with wheels. I'm sure the warden uses it to check out hunters, but i've never seen any tire tracks, and to be honest. I've only seen one hunter in all the years i've been going there.

The road is about 1 1/2 miles to the end where I start to hunt. Then I might go in another mile to hunt. It would be nice if I could use something for just the road section to get meat out. I usually bone out the meat and bring it to the beginning of the road and hang it up. Then starts all the trips it takes me to get it out. The bike-trailer would work perfect.

I've never figured out why it's not a more popular area. I get an elk every year there.  It's a beautiful timber area right below treeline.

Wow! Seems like I'm going to have to get a trailer for my bike and start using it in my next hunt. Appears to be very convenient. I had thought about using a bike on my next hunt but didn't realize that this many people use them.

This thread was very informative. Thanks to all those who posted. 

Tim,

Thanks for the comments.  It's obvious your style and hunting area fit well with using a bike.  That is WAY cool, great pics!  Never met anyone who has done it successfully but have had conversations with others who thought about trying it.  I've thought about it a few times too, we run into grouse and turkeys quite often when riding--big game like elk and deer less often.  However, most of the trails I ride wouldn't work for packing anything other than yourself on the bike.  Too steep, too many obstacles like boulders and trees, and switchbacks a trailer just won't fit on.  Other places like forest roads could be OK.

My point earlier was it's easy to think of the convenience and how much better it would be to simply glide down the hill on your bike with a full quarter on the trailer behind you.  Sounds great!  But what about the first flat tire, or worse yet you try to get a quick sip from your water bottle on the go and flip yourself over the handlbars--ruins your day without any weight on your back and would probably taco your front wheel too.  It happens all the time to recreational riders and hunters hauling out game would probably need to be more careful than typical mountain bikers.  A get 'er done attitude is great, but use that attitude to prep yourself and be sure you can really make it work by trying it out well ahead of time when scouting, etc.  Don't make your plans and then find out half way through your solo pack out it's not going to work for you, especially if you're not a regular mountain biker to begin with.

Seeing your pictures makes me want to find a place to use my bike and trailer as well.  Thanks again for posting!

Thank you, everyone!

Those bull pics are way cool and definitely prove the concept in my mind.

Still - your wisdom rings true as well.  In the dark, even if you are cycling at a snail's pace, you'll still cover more ground than walking.  And I think you'll sweat less and have more stamina for when you get off the bike and start hunting.

In Colorado my understanding that the only place wheeled, non-motorized vehicles are outright banned is in the wilderness areas.  Everything else is is more or less a trail-by-trail local decision.  I can't recall ever seeing a no-cycling sign on the FS roads I've used. 

It's a gated road that's not used by anybody. If I had to guess. I'd say a wheel hasn't touched it in 20 years.