Hunting with a Bakcou Mule | Electric Hunting Bike

It’s a way of life. I have hunted since I was a child with my grandpa, father, and friends. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of hunting with my family, whether it was sledding down White Pass on the back of an elk or endless hot days riding in the back of a truck looking for deer.

Over the years I lost my grandpa and had other hunting buddies move away. And for many years, I hunted alone. Five or so years ago I talked my dad into elk and deer hunting with me again, which he had given up on because of time and raising a family.

Most of the land that we were familiar with, from exploring when I was a child, is now only open to foot or bike traffic, or has excessive access fees. So, the first season back together we both got out our mountain bikes and hit the woods. That first season of hunting together gave me the opportunity to shoot my first elk and was one of the most surreal moments of my life and I was able to experience it with Dad. It happened at first light and took the two of us until dark to pack it out on our backs and bikes. It ended up being too hard on my dad who was not able to haul out more than one load, so we had to figure out a way to make it easier in the future.

Extending Years of Hunting with My Dad

Before the following season we both purchased ebikes. Although they were cheaper ebikes, it was not easy to fork out $1700 each for something we had never tried before. That ended up being the best decision and has made hunting easier and more enjoyable for both of us. Over the next few years we have both been able to tag elk and deer and explore more land than possible on foot or even a regular bike.

Last year after realizing how much we loved using our ebikes and wanting more power, we decided to make a huge jump and both purchased Bakcou Mules. Sadly, at the beginning of 2023 the land we hunt elk on decided to close to ebike access. This put a damper on our whole year as my dad and I had just upgraded. Usually, we are able to get out a couple times a month for elk scouting during the summer and up until hunting season begins. We did find some new land to hunt and explored on our new Bakcou bikes, but the areas were not looking very promising. Ultimately most of our regular elk hunting grounds required us to bust out the old bikes and trek a lot on foot. Season was long and tiring for both of us, but we never gave up.

Never Give Up, Keep on Hunting

The thought of our new ebikes just sitting on the bike rack and not getting used was hard. On the last day of modern firearm elk season, after not being able to use our ebikes much, we decided to explore a new area that would allow us to use our Bakcous. We peddled down an old road as far as we could and then trekked on foot as the road became too brushy to ride. There was little to no sign that elk had been there but we didn’t give up and knew that we wanted to explore this area.

Nearing the end of maybe a mile long road, we could hear loud rustling in the timber above us. It was very apparent we had run into a herd of elk. They had no clue we were there, and as we rounded the corner of the old road, there stood two bulls separate from the main herd that was above us. Without hesitation Dad and I were able to shoot back to back and drop both bulls not 10 feet from one another. This is quite amazing as we had done the same thing the year before and shot 2 bulls standing together as well.

Success! A Beautiful Sight

Even Better: Help for the Pack Out

We spent the next hour clearing the road back to the truck so we could get our ebikes and gear to where we had shot the elk. Then we spent several more processing them and packing the meat onto our trailers. Without the ebikes I think my dad would have given up on and would not enjoy the experience of hunting with me. The ebikes have allowed us to enjoy hunting together once again, and haul all our gear as well as both quartered elk, in one trip. I can’t wait until next year to spend time out in the wilderness on our ebikes. I am also excited about someday taking my kids out on them and teaching them what hunting is all about, time with loved ones and food in the freezer.