5 Reasons You Should NOT Buy an Electric Bike for Hunting

Fat tire electric bikes from brands like Rambo, QuietKat, Bakcou and more look awesome, but should you buy one? Not unless you can answer yes to these five questions!
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Check out my video about bowfishing with ebikes! • BOWFISHING for Idaho M...
00:00 Are electric bikes allowed where you hunt?
02:01 Transporting an ebike
03:03 Max range of fat tire electric bikes
04:39 Pedaling is necessary
05:37 Fat tire ebikes vs motorcycles
Read more on our website: outdoorempire.com/are-ebikes-...

[@outdoorempirecom]

Are electric bikes allowed for hunting in your neck of the woods?

[@FATBIKEHUNTER]

Yes they are! But they are limited to 750w and can't ride on some major trails (PCT) and can't ride in the Wilderness. I use mine to put in cameras, tree stands, and haul the meet out.

[@outdoorempirecom]

@@FATBIKEHUNTER Good to know! Those uses seem to be a great fit IMO.

[@BranDon-zt7bm]

You can in South Carolina on a class 1

[@hotchihuahua1546]

@@BranDon-zt7bmI live in South Carolina and it depends on where you are and what rules apply to a given county . It would be nice if everyone was on the same page . As we all know , most e-bikes are easily programmed for class 1 with a push of the button . However , because they are capable of class three they are not considered legal .

[@rotorav8]

No, everywhere motorized vehicles are not allowed, ebikes are not either...around me. This makes sense to me because the goal of the closure is for habitat. They are trying to limit access to these areas. I'm glad they do. I want to hunt without a bunch of people ruining it. If you want to go, hike in or bicycle in like we do.

[@Bootyhunter1971]

Rule #1- never "call and ask" some bureaucrat anything. Of course they will say no, or start digging for a reason to say no. Just go, the likelihood of even seeing anyone that could care is remote, and if you do, they most likely wont give a bike a second thought but on the very off chance you run into the ahole that would say anything then you will just be asked to "not do it again". Much better to ask forgiveness than to ask permission.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Certainly one way to do it!

[@reinhardweiss]

that's a helluva risk, given that one penalty for breaking the law is that they can confiscate the bike (unless losing $5-10k on an eBike is no big deal to you). I tend to agree that most of the rangers are not going to give a damn if you are just putzin' around for recreation ... I am not sure I would assume that when it comes to a decked out hunting bike. Moreso, I would venture that a lot of the decision is going to be based upon exactly how the ranger perceives you are acting ... like if you are FLYING down a trail and endangering people (or even wildlife), I can imagine that they are going to have much less sense of fairness than if you are being cautious.

[@tranderrick]

@@reinhardweiss if he's not on a ebike, just drive away and loose him, whats he gunna do shoot you, gauge how far you are from your truck, if its a decent distance, a few miles and you know theres no way he can beat you back, just throw bike on truck and drive out.

[@Bootyhunter1971]

@rm w My solution was and is IF its not clearly a law against it. They are not going to "confiscate the bike" if they have no existing law addressing ebikes. But if you "call and ask" they will just say no as that is the easy button for them. So if its posted or there is an existing law against it, then obey the law, but if theres not, then go. If a ranger comes upon you and starts being an ahole, show him the proof of no existing law addressing it, most he can do is ASK you to leave, he cant FORCE you to leave if no law is on the books. Dont be afraid of a uniform and a badge, all they can do is ENFORCE EXISTING LAWS, NOT MAKE NEW ONES ON A WHIM!

[@outdoorempirecom]

@@Bootyhunter1971 Just for clarification, there are regulations for "two-wheeled motorized vehicles". When I called the local USFS office for this they stated that because there is no specific law classifying ebikes any differently from other two-wheeled motorized vehicles, and since they indeed have a motor, they are subject to the rules and regs for those until something changes. I didn't get the vibe they were making anything up, they had a very precise answer. They were also very friendly and offered some suggestions as to where I could go so I was happy I called. At least where I'm at roads and trails are almost always clearly marked for who can use them and the Motor Vehicle Use Maps are widely available so it's not a big deal to sort out where I can take it.

[@jamesnorman2061]

E-bikes are allowed everywhere if they’re 750 watts or under. If it’s over, just put a 750 watt sticker on it. Your welcome

[@outdoorempirecom]

And then the ranger busted out a volt meter. 😳

[@Mike-xi4zt]

Watts equal volts x amps. A voltmeter won't tell you watts.

[@larryalexander4833]

Not in SC they are not in lot of state land and others only class 1

[@ebayollis]

Not in NC if you're on gameland. NO MOTORIZED VEHICLES WHAT SO EVER

[@alexmunoz569]

If I ever see one who's educated and savy enaugh to test electric motors.​@@outdoorempirecom

[@rjm1403]

Finishing off my hunt for 23. I have the Apex Pro and here are my tips. I bought it mainly for hunting Elk in the Big Horn Mts. I will say without a doubt that it tripled my hunting area. Where I used to spend hours stalking in on dirt track to reach hunting areas, I was able to all but minimize that time and maximizes actual hunting hours. I am a semi fit 64 year old with bad feet. I don't like giving Elk the advantage of hearing me come a mile away in a vehicle / side x side / atv. The bike is very quiet but not silent. Save your spine and invest in some sort of shock for the seat. if you don't have a solar option. buy the portable kit and a spare battery. BAR mitts are a very good add as well. Oh yeah, darkness in the mts is a reality. Better get a light or suffer the pain. I also used it for extending my whitetail range in the Wisconsin homestead and plan on using it for spring Turkey. In the end, well worth it and I love the fact I actually am getting that slight leg workout on the bike. yes, you do have to pedal.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Fantastic summary and great tips! Thanks for sharing. That aligns quite well with my experience in areas where I've been able to use a bike. You can cover a lot more ground than without it and you don't make all the racket of an OHV.

[@YMS12121]

What’s Wyoming laws to drive a e bike down closed oFS roads that say no motorized vehicles? There are a lot in the bighorns I always hike them but was wondering a bout a bike

[@charlie8796]

Thanks for the good info ! I just ordered a young e scout pro 750 can’t wait for it to arrive.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Awesome congratulations! What led you to pick that ebike?

[@allencrossland1973]

I'm from Pennsylvania and my camp is in north Central Pa. surrounded by thousands of acres of game lands. I'm 70 now and will be 71by this archery season. I have neuropathy and plantars fasciitis keeps me from walking as I did several years ago in my younger days. You see that my mind is like I'm 30 but my body 70 going on 80. Lol . But because of the E bikes I can ride to most if not all the areas that I hunted as a young lad. So I applied for a special permit through the Pennsylvania game commission that alarm me on specified roads that I picked and was okayed by The game commission.

[@outdoorempirecom]

That is excellent! What a great reason to use an e-bike. And I'm encouraged to hear the Game Commission made an allowance for you. Carry on partner!

[@emtp1013]

Well damn, I answered yes to all these questions and I still don't have one. Time to get one then.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Guess so!

[@paulcha1]

Thanks for the info

[@outdoorempirecom]

No problem 👍

[@tyb3938]

Missed one huge point, loaded down with gear: will you survive in the terrain you hunt. Answer for us: NO. We access our terrain via a super steep trail and dirt bikes also use that trail, only the craziest dirt bikers use it and they wear full body armor and light packs with essentially water only. If the area is old logging trails clean of deadfall this bike would be awesome

[@outdoorempirecom]

Very good point! I mainly day hunted turkey with it so I was relatively light on gear, but if you have a lot of gear or are in some gnarly terrain, it's not going to be as smooth of a ride as you might imagine.

[@frontiergi]

Haha, learned this exact thing the hard way, miles in on a sketchy trail with an elk down, damn 5th trip back to get the stupid bike 😂

[@lisaflyrondo8065]

great tips I wouldn’t have thought of 👌🏿

[@outdoorempirecom]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jeffswett5553]

Good review, and yes if in doubt ask the peoplevwho might write your ticket before going and hoping you're okay

[@outdoorempirecom]

That's how I feel about it.

[@bosatsu76]

Good info here. Thinking of getting electric bikes for the grankdids... They're teenagers, so peddling will not bother them a bit... Was thinking Hunting Bike because, you know... Bigger, Badder, Better... But when I was young, and even into my 50's 100 miles at a time was a common weekend. So that question about range knocked some sense into me... Glad I stopped by to watch your video. Have you done one on electric assist dirt bikes?

[@outdoorempirecom]

No electric dirt bikes yet, but I'd love to. And ya, 100 miles in a day is not a thing with these fat tire hunting ebikes to my knowledge. I think we might be a ways out from that still. Even with multiple batteries that's unlikely. But for getting to and from a stand, setting cameras, scouting, hauling meat out, they're pretty handy.

[@bosatsu76]

@@outdoorempirecom Maybe a mini turbine generator... They're making them so small nowaday's... The RC Model Airplane crowd are flying jets around with them now... A gallon of something, and get that extra mileage... What a time to be alive.

[@outdoorempirecom]

@@bosatsu76 Oh man I like the sound of that!

[@firedog9113]

As for rule one, we hunt government land, not national forest. I asked the game warden about using my ebike. After me answering where I'll be at and stuff, he said it'll be ok. Got smart and made a slide for hauling deer out, it's all down hill from my deer stand so it'll do 18 mph with a deer. Kinda funny how ppl talked smack at the start of season, now they all talking about getting on.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Nice! I'd love to see how you rigged that up.

[@firedog9113]

@@outdoorempirecom just a triangle piece, 2 short pieces of pipe as big wide as a deer, and two longer pipes, just hang it off befind the seat pole. I go up hill to my hunting grounds so it's mostly down hill when I leave. Fat tire bike pulls it nicely since not but one or two small mud puddles there.

[@ConservativeVet84]

I have a QuietKat Ranger. In the ECO mode using the PAS I get 15-20 miles when trail riding and not getting too crazy. Every now and then I’ll switch to BOOST or TRAIL mode when going up steeper hills. I bought an extra battery for just in case scenarios. I have yet to use it on any of my fishing excursions. I am 6’ 2” and weigh 200. I usually carry another 40 lbs of fishing, camping gear, and food. Would I use it for hunting? Not sure.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Good intel, thanks for sharing. I wonder if they've improved the battery since I tested one.

[@WeNeedChange3310]

Their currently classifying E bikes as assault bikes 😂

[@outdoorempirecom]

With the way some people rode them through town, I can understand why. 🤣

[@colekv674]

Howabout dual 500 watt e-bikes? I have an AWD with two 500 watt hub motors with one on each wheel with the options to switch between AWD, RWD, and FWD while riding.

[@outdoorempirecom]

I've seen those and they look pretty awesome. How do you like it? I'm not sure how the rules would look at that. It probably depends on the place or the person checking at this juncture.

[@colekv674]

@@outdoorempirecom I use it a lot on rolling hills and section lines in the rural rancher areas of the upper Great Plains. I like it a lot! It’s built for snow, mud, sand, and climbing. I plan on traveling around the country to use it on different types of terrain. I did a 46 mile ride a few weekends ago with little weight other than the 3 liter bladder on my back. I still had a quarter battery left. I rarely use the throttle. I’ll use power assist and I don’t mind dipping into the pain zone to save battery.

[@outdoorempirecom]

@@colekv674 That sounds amazing!

[@hotchihuahua1546]

I look at an e-bike with a number of different purposes ! For hunting or utility on a farm requires a different setup ! Mountain biking or recreational biking requires other needs . You need a followup to this video !

[@outdoorempirecom]

Great points, I agree!

[@ericb.4358]

1.) In Nevada the BLM permits ATVs and EMTBs 2.) my 1UP bike rack easily holds my E-CELLS Super Monarch Crown e-bike (75 lbs. W/O batteries, 95 lbs with both batteries. 3.) I have a BLUETTI AC200 MAX lithium iron-phosphate battery CHARGED by an Off Grid TREL 220 watt electric blanket 4.) my bike has a 60 mile pavement range and 30 mile on trail range by my experience W/ mild pedaling) 5.) Of COURSE it isn't an e-motorcycle!

[@outdoorempirecom]

Nice! Great info, thanks for sharing the specifics. And that's pretty great range. That is one area that I was a bit disappointed on the fat tire ebikes I've tried so far, the real world range was significantly less than advertised. Cheers.

[@gerodnielsen805]

It's so much better to do your own build the new cyc x1 pro gen four will rip around just like a motorcycle. It's 5000w Mid-Drive I have the gen 3 and it's will get up to 57mph and go from zero to 40 in about 4 seconds. And that's the 3000w the 5000w will be way faster off the line and tip speed. When you buld your own You can put it on a much nicer frame then most of these ready made ebikes. And it will be lighter with a bigger better battery And you get much more power if you go with the cyc. Just something to always consider when buying an ebike.

[@outdoorempirecom]

I like the sound of that very much! But then, I already have a dirt bike.

[@keptkozy]

Red flag on your range analysis is you said you kept it in mid gear. That's going to stress the drive train and run the battery which is probably why you weren't getting the range you wanted. Treat bicycles (electric or not) like anything with a gearbox. Start in 1st or 2nd and run up the gears as you pick up speed. Shift smart and you can leave assist in low and be fine for hours of riding, sipping power and calories.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Ya I tried that too quite a bit on those QuietKat bikes and when it was me and my gear weighing it down, 1st gear (mechanical or electric) didn't provide enough momentum to even maintain balance. Up hills where I was hunting, the lowest assist level had no effect whatsoever. The second assist level did a tiny bit, but barely enough to keep upright. The third assist level was the sweet spot where it didn't consume battery as fast as fourth or fifth, but it certainly helped when I needed it. I'm sure I could have ridden it more efficiently, but after trying it so many ways in so many environments, I'm not convinced that I could get to the middle of the advertised range even if I'm sweating my butt off the whole time with minimal assist. And if I do that, it sorta defeats the purpose of having an e-bike and I may as well ride my regular bike.

[@denisberthiaume4649]

you can charge your ebike anywhere ,with a power pack often wrongly call " power generator" 12 volts 1000 ah with a converter 110 volts you can charge easily in camping where there is no power

[@outdoorempirecom]

Good to know.

[@mountainadventures7346]

So! I got in a fight with the Forest Service over my ebike. Boiled down to brass tacks? The Park Service considers 750 watt or below non motorized. The Forest Service does not. So I could go to Yellowstone and ride my bike on a bike path no problem. But if I ride behind a forest service gate into a logging job with dozers and skidders? I am breaking the law….🙄

[@outdoorempirecom]

Indeed, all the different rules and regs from different jurisdictions is convoluted and frustrating at times. On the one hand it'd be nice if there was a federal rule that made it clear when and where you can use what type of ebikes anywhere. On the other hand, having individual agencies (plus states, cities, etc.) decide what to do on their own makes it more likely to have access to some places. But then it's super confusing and even conflicting at times. Not sure what the solution is. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@MNBackcountry1]

You just recited 5 reasons why I have stayed with my Cogburn CB4 fat-bike. #bikefishing USFS public lands and waters.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Good call!

[@alanadee2514]

I've never heard of something so ridiculous If you have a 750 w e-bike it's equal to 1hp I have one I can't even rip out with the bike And by the way what state was this

[@outdoorempirecom]

I'm in Idaho, but these same rules (absence of specific rules) apply to federal U.S. Forest Service lands. I wasn't really bothered by it though, there are still plenty of places to ride.

[@ebayollis]

Yea these things migjt work for flat-landers. I live in western nc and the mountains are only avout 5500ft but theyre straight up and down...this would be $6000+ waste of money

[@outdoorempirecom]

I hear ya, they aren't as effective in steep terrain. It isn't exactly flat out here in Idaho either and I've found that even a 750W motor can help up a steep logging road, but not without effort.

[@blackerbatman6657]

I throw my ranger on the roof, I just take off the front wheel and take out the battery. It's not too bad.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Good to know. I just thought it was sort of a pain to take off the front wheel.

[@sh0cktim3]

​@@outdoorempirecom30 secs or less.

[@mixflip]

Couldn't you just buy a dual bike rack that is made to hold 2 50lb bikes but just use it to carry 1 ebike? Then you could still use it for the family's regular bikes when not hunting.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Thanks for the comment! I actually looked into that but the racks I looked at specified something around 60 pounds max PER bike, so I figured each rack may not be solid enough to tote 75 pounds around, especially bouncing down logging roads. But, if you removed the battery and crossed your fingers it may be just fine.

[@MrCsebike]

I've done it a lot of the e bike have a bend in the top tube that makes the back tire stick up in the air but it worked fine.

[@brushcrawler8612]

I sure could use an E deer cart

[@outdoorempirecom]

You can buy a trailer for that from some ebike companies. And at SHOT Show I actually saw a unicycle e-bike wheel barrow thing that you walk behind but it can carry a ton of gear or a harvested deer. It's called the Pack Wheel.

[@samsam-mf5um]

good idea for quail hunt no noise lol

[@outdoorempirecom]

For sure!

[@jevadajones1645]

Great quality fat bike and lighter than expected.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Right on!

[@Futurase1]

Allowed everywhere here on national public land. 750 watt

[@outdoorempirecom]

Good to know! Whereabouts are you referring to?

[@Futurase1]

@@outdoorempirecom Arkansas

[@jasonhong2512]

Under federal law you are allowed to hunt with a ebike 750 watt and under on all federal land not state lands

[@Futurase1]

@@jasonhong2512 not sure about other places but Arkansas just says they follow Federal guidelines. Game warden here told me my bike is legal on all public land in the state.

[@bigg9101]

@@Futurase1also Illinois & Georgia

[@ebikeoutdoors]

Far too many rules nowadays I live in England and are government wants to control every aspect of are life's its gotten to the point where its ridiculous I always use my ebike to go hunting I have heart disease and wouldn't be able to go hunting if it wasn't for the ebike ✌️👍👊

[@outdoorempirecom]

Keep on trucking! I mean, keep on e-biking!

[@ebikeoutdoors]

@@outdoorempirecom cheers mate 👍

[@richardbritt3611]

Hub drive bikes have NOTHING to do with sprockets and chains. Therefore gears have NO affect on torque unless pedaling. take chain off hub motor and it still goes! Mid drive have everything to do with chains and sprockets aka gears. Put the correct front and rear sprocket on the bike and you can get one to climb a tree! with ANY watt motor!

[@outdoorempirecom]

Amen to that!

[@MrCsebike]

Yes but really slow

[@swartzautoman2]

Check out M-81 ULTV

[@jakesmith6337]

What about e bikes unpowered ?

[@outdoorempirecom]

If there's a motor on em and you get checked, I don't think they'll care if your using the motor or not. But who knows.

[@sidturner3871]

Md says all good if the bike is 750 watts or less....and pedal assist

[@outdoorempirecom]

Awesome!

[@seanp6189]

Will your electric forest service is wrong because federal law states that if it is a 750 watt motor or less it is not classified as a motorized vehicle It is classified as a bicycle

[@outdoorempirecom]

The rules and regs are certainly confusing still. I'm gonna dig deeper and see what I can find out.

[@rebeccadubois8270]

Ebikes fold Deer do too when their bones snap. The bike rack will support it. My bike is 112 100 without battery.

[@jeffswett5553]

Some ebikes fold, many don't

[@EbikeScabbards]

You should definitely NOT mount your gun across the handlebars like that.

[@outdoorempirecom]

From a guy called ebikescabbards, I'm guessing you have a better solution?! Pray tell.

[@lesteryarbrough2403]

Why mine works fine.i made an accessory rail to hold a gun rack.

[@EbikeScabbards]

@@lesteryarbrough2403 Sure, I maybe should have worded my comment differently. I apologize for that. My reasons for not mounting the gun horizontally are 1) my primary use for my bike/gun combo is on shooting ranges where it is not allowed by course rules for safety. And 2) I also don't like it horizontally in hunting situations for the same reason (but all situations are different and if it works for you then don't listen to me). Also I personally just don't like the gun horizontally across the handlebars because I feel like it it not very well protected from branches, etc... And it can also make the bike wider than it needs to be with regards to going down narrow trails and near obstacles etc... At the end of the day I really can only speak to my experience with my shotguns mounted vertically on the front of the bike on the sporting clays course and I like how it works. To each his own though...

[@10-Man]

Most E-bikes only go 20 miles an hour tops & they are governed!

[@outdoorempirecom]

True, if they're classified (class 1 or 2). But many of the hunting e-bikes from QuietKat, Rambo, or Bakcou, for example, are not classified or governed, particularly if they have a 1000W motor or better.

[@guywhosleepallday8194]

Question to #2. Who the hell hunts and not have a truck. Maybe you should not hunt at all hahaha

[@outdoorempirecom]

I think you'd be surprised!

[@Siegerstark]

I'm protected by the ADA :)

[@outdoorempirecom]

Nice!

[@yo9758]

Lol just take the battery out then you got a regular pedal bike

[@outdoorempirecom]

That's one way to do it! 😂

[@StevenRAssmann-tb7ty]

Carry an extra battery

[@outdoorempirecom]

Not a bad option.

[@seanmoore7207]

Those things look horrible! Put some tassels on the handlebars and slap on a rainbow sticker on the side why don't you! What the heck? Get yourself an actual Electric bike like the Sur Ron Ultra or Storm Bee.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Dude, I'm gonna put tassels on the bars haha! But those other kinda bikes look pretty sweet.

[@seanmoore7207]

@@outdoorempirecom The Sur Ron Ultra is a better value. $6,500 and it can be yours

[@smicksmookety]

class 1 ebikes are considered bikes, not motorcycles, so just get a class 1 ebike...

[@outdoorempirecom]

I hear ya on the classified part, but even that depends on the jurisdiction. In my town any ebike is regarded differently than a bicycle and therefore can't use all the same trails, class 1 or not.

[@YMS12121]

So you are always riding e bikes but made a video to talk ppl out of buying one?

[@outdoorempirecom]

Pretty much. Or at least so you know the cons and not just the pros. 😂

[@YMS12121]

lol you can’t have all the fun ! the more research then I think I’m going to buy an electric dirt bike style seem more comfortable seat wise , plus I’ll be sticking to 2 tracks / FS roads . Gets me in to shed / turkey country when roads are drifted in with snow .

[@troycul6552]

if your not allowed to use them then why the hell are they pushing them. Weird country you have.

[@outdoorempirecom]

Just depends on where. There are places you can, but often they're the same places you can drive cars or motorcycles. But yes, we have a weird country. I like it all the same!

[@Footballcray15]

This guy doesn’t even have a truck how can you trust this advice?😂

[@outdoorempirecom]

With a grain of salt 😜

[@chasingliberty1776]

Lol you think government employees will tell you the truth?

[@outdoorempirecom]

Yes. Just regular ole good people at work. I have no rational reason not to believe what they say.

[@chasingliberty1776]

⁠@@outdoorempirecombe careful when drinking that Kool-Aid

[@haywoodyoudome]

@@outdoorempirecom Diversity hires aren't to be trusted.

[@williamleasure6221]

There's usually around my house. I even had one run into my house for the door was open. Some people are having to go find them and I have them running into my house 🤣

[@outdoorempirecom]

Ya they all seem to be hanging out at your house or on other private property 😂. Harder to find on public land for a newbie like me.

[@ct5465]

Sounds like ignorant officers for number 1. There is no law that make an ebike a motorcycle. If it’s not explicitly listed as illegal, it’s legal. Don’t ask permission from people who don’t know better

[@outdoorempirecom]

Thanks for commenting!

[@yo9758]

If it’s got a motor it’s a motorized vehicle that the law lol don’t have to specify anything

[@ct5465]

@@yo9758 not true. Every motorcycle law has a displacement stipulation. It dictates what license is needed. They’ve had to go back and add watt output limits of electric bikes.

[@rays3995]

Have u ever hunted wolf before

[@outdoorempirecom]

Nope