BUCK BIKES

I reside and obsessively bowhunt whitetails in the big-woods mountains of northern Idaho. Due to rough-and-tumble terrain, low seasonal logging traffic when things turn wet — unlike properties with consistent, desensitizing farm/ranch, oil-field or wind-turbine-maintenance activity — and roads with various vehicle restrictions, accessing tree-stands often involves considerable hikes. Even on my few private-land spots, after serious rains or snows arrive (turning ranch roads muddy and erosion prone) I’m typically limited on how close I can drive a truck or ATV near stands. Walking a couple miles to reach a hot stand site in the heat of the rut isn’t out of the question — not exactly ideal while wearing heavily insulated clothing required to survive all-day sits.

When I discovered electric mountain bikes (more commonly known as e-bikes today) I knew I’d found a viable solution to my dilemma. In fact, even in areas with ready access, such as Eastern farmlands, e-bikes offer a dead-silent approach into the most sensitive stand sites. Silent electric motors, lightweight alloy frames, high-torque gearing and front and rear disc brakes make riding nearly effortless and stealthy entries and exits possible. And in the event you travel too far between recharging your e-bike (or should you, say, allow your control panel to become soaked