Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

can you sling a loaded shotgun on a mountain bike grouse hunting???


brad coin

Recommended Posts

gonna try something this year,,,Im seeing the grouse become used to 4 wheelers and motorized vehicles and let them pass by without flushing especially oct on,,,however you tend to unnerve them on traveled logging rds by going slower and quieter, I see it all the time walking main logging rds and flushing birds after a truck/4 wheeler passes the same spot,,,Im wondering though can you travel with a shotgun uncased slinged over your back on a mountain bike on logging rds or trails,,,can it be loaded while on the bike??? I know most laws are aimed at 'Motorized vehicles",,but thought someone might know Im guessing its the same rule has being on a horse whatever that is

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 64
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • BobT

    8

  • Powerstroke

    5

  • DonBo

    5

  • tweedlap

    4

Not sure if it's legal or not, but even if it were, it shouldn't be. Sounds dangerous to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ha ha....that doesn't seem like a good idea at all. Twig gets caught in front spokes..slam, BAMMM. Can't tell you if its legal or not, though. Sorry.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I should clarify more,,,not talking about flying down the rds/paths but more of a coast/peddle/coast like say 5 mph and not actually shooting while on the bike but dismounting and reflushing birds on foot, and most of these are logging rds pretty esay to see any potential rd hazards sticks,rocks,,,also todays mid level mountain bikes with suspension are pretty hard to dump or wipeout unless your pushing it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think the responses are already giving you an answer. It doesn't really matter if it's legal. It probably isn't the brightest, self-preserving thing to do.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders

One state area we wanted to use M/bikes just to ride into Turkey hunting had a sign that said No motorized vec, of any kind including M/bikes! I think they are thinking you would be the motor? Let us know what you find out. I would think that maybe you could still ride with it unloaded and maybe cased at least? confused

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im not one to ever downplay safety,,,but I need to also point out that Minneapolis police officers use TREK mountain bikes to patrol especially around the lakes and downtown and events/parades and they carry loaded firearms,,granted holstered and has far has better terrain!!! I feel alot more safer on a logging rd,, I live in MPL's and the potholed exposed expansion joints streets are alot more wipeout prone not to mention the 18 yr old girls with cell phones in their ear while diving,,,Go for a bike ride on Bloomington streets and your teeth will rattle by the time your done.,,todays mid level TRUE not cosmetic suspension mountain bikes are pretty stable. Id say that it would be a rare rare occasion when the gun would be loaded while slung on the bike I just would like to know if it can be exposed/uncased while riding,,,calling the DNR on issues like this is really time consuming these days with all the transferring,,not their fault they have had their depts hit with budget cuts less help.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Comparing a Police Officer on a bike carrying a pistol that is in a SECURE holster and a hunter on a mountain bike with a Shotgun SLUNG over his back is not a good one. There is nothing that seems safe about what you are asking, no matter how slow you plan on riding.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i have never attempted to go to a grouse huntin spot with a 4 wheeler (i personally don't support them since i am a more traditional hunter). i use a mountain bike every time. its never loaded. this is wut my dad use to do too. if we don't walk through the woods right away, the sling goes over our back, and away we go down dirt roads and bigger trails on mountain bikes. never have had a problem. i would assume its legal, idk, but we have passed a few DNR officers before who didn't stop us. but then again, then officers up there know us well, and our real nice guys.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

life

Im betting you do well too? that noiseless approach really unnerves them on the main logging rds

Link to comment
Share on other sites

always better than 4 wheelers wink

it sort of depends. cause when my dad is with, his dog trots alongside so she spooks them a little more. but if we don't, you definitely see more. we usually don't hunt them off the road like that, but if its rainy, or we need some dinner, we'll stop and go after them once in awhile. these mountain bikes were purchased in the mid 90s, and have been beaten up. the chains are noisy if you don't lube them down, so that can spook them too

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

For those who seem concerned about the original posters safety, what if he were to mount a gun rack of some sort to the handlebars or some other part of the bike?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For those who seem concerned about the original posters safety, what if he were to mount a gun rack of some sort to the handlebars or some other part of the bike?

I think the original question was, can he carry a LOADED shotgun on his bike. I don't care how he carries it, loaded does not sound like a good idea to me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agreed. Too many opportunities for disaster. Rocks, ruts, roots, stumps, thick mud, potholes, you name it. We all think we know how to handle our equipment but it is that over-confidence that makes us dangerous.

When I was logging, it wasn't the new guys that got hurt. It was usually the experienced veterans that figured they knew their equipment best.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why not rig some sort of scabbard,(I've seen duct tape and cardboard, to leather, to ATV style ones) to the front forks, or vertically on a rack on the back? That way you could secure it to the bike and if you did crash the gun would be secured and protected as well as offering easy access. A couple clamps and a little imagination should get this done pretty easy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Comparing a Police Officer on a bike carrying a pistol that is in a SECURE holster and a hunter on a mountain bike with a Shotgun SLUNG over his back is not a good one. There is nothing that seems safe about what you are asking, no matter how slow you plan on riding.

So let me see if I understand your thinkn correctly now then.. A police officer has more experience with his firearm than a hunter does? I would like to know how many rounds said police officer have put down the barrel of his sidearm, versus a hunters grouse gun? I'd be willing to bet that latter has quite a bit more experience! I see nothing wrong legally or safety wise with the orginial posters ? Most ppl sounding off against his proposal I dont think are aware of the proven track record that a guns safety holds. None of my guns have ever went off with the safety on! Some off you ppl think the worst case scenario, is the only way things ever happen. Ride on my man! Ride on!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Look into a BDS double shoulder single point sling, TAB sling or, outlaw sling, these may be the answer you are looking for. They can be found be searching your search engine of choice. The outlaw sling looked to me to be the most promising.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:
None of my guns have ever went off with the safety on! Some off you ppl think the worst case scenario, is the only way things ever happen. Ride on my man! Ride on!

Suppose your licensed driver child felt that way about running stop signs. Has been doing it for months and never even had a close call. Must be perfectly safe to continue running stop signs.

There is also a considerable difference between carrying a holstered handgun on one's hip and a long-barreled shotgun slung over one's shoulder where it is more likely to be in the way and catch on tree branches and such. I use a sling on my rifle and I can experience how cumbersome it is to climb into my deer stand with it slung over my shoulder. Couldn't imagine even considering the thought of not unloading it before making the climb. A shotgun probably weighs considerably more than that handgun as well. The peace officer on a bicycle is also generally riding on much better road conditions and doesn't have to deal with the many obstacles one would likely find on back country trails that contain mud holes, rocks, overhanging tree branches, etc. It's not even a close comparison.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Bucks, the fact that you think you are more proficient and experienced with your shotgun than most law enforcement officers is ridiculous. Besides that I was trying to point out a weapon secured in a holster and a weapon freely bouncing around on someones back. If you look at accidental shootings in the field, many times it is the experienced hunter, who had gun saftey that claimed they knew what they were doing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't care who's more experienced with what type of weapon. To ride a bicycle with a shotgun slung over your shoulder, loaded or unloaded, is just not a good idea.

Put it in a hard case and strap it to the bike somehow, then take it out and hunt. No problem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not a good idea to ride with loaded shotgun, just slip a round in when needed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard about a fellow up here that shoots grouse off a mtn bike with a 410 contender and holster mounted on the handlebars. It can be done, just be safe. I agree w/ motley man, it's pretty easy to slip a round in when you need it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Put it in a hard case and strap it to the bike somehow, then take it out and hunt. No problem.

I don't think you would have to go quite to this extreme but I would definately unload it. If you had a double barrel it would be real easy to stick 2 shells in quickly and fairly quietly when needed and just as easy to unload if you dont fire them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:
A police officer has more experience with his firearm than a hunter does? I would like to know how many rounds said police officer have put down the barrel of his sidearm, versus a hunters grouse gun? I'd be willing to bet that latter has quite a bit more experience!

The average Law Enforcement Officer shoots a lot more than the average hunter.

Quote:
I see nothing wrong legally or safety wise with the orginial posters ?
Riding a bike with an uncased gun may or may not be legal. If it's loaded it is definitely not safe.

Quote:
Most ppl sounding off against his proposal I dont think are aware of the proven track record that a guns safety holds. None of my guns have ever went off with the safety on! Some off you ppl think the worst case scenario, is the only way things ever happen. Ride on my man! Ride on!

It only takes one time. A safety is not 100% safe all the time and it's not an excuse to take risks either. It is also possible the safety could slip off. It is possible he could crash and in the process the safety slips off and the gun discharges.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Not sure on the legality, but here is my two cents.

Loaded: Not safe, unwise, and probably illegal. Wouldn't recommend this at all.

Unloaded: No idea how this could be considered unsafe. No different than carrying anything else on a bike. If you're gonna fall you're gonna fall. Its gonna hurt regardless. That said, might not be too friendly on your firearm. Again, not sure on the legality, but if I can have an unloaded shotgun on my lap in my car, I don't see why you couldn't on a bike.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.




  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.