Using an e-bike for hunting has quickly grown in popularity for many reasons.
You can go deep into the woods in a very short time compared to walking in.
You don’t break a sweat so you’re leaving your scent and the bikes don’t leave a scent trail either. Plus they are very quiet and deer don’t spook even if you come up on one quickly. With the use of an e-bike trailer ,you can tow back out anything you get.
Recently there has been a lot of movement within the Department of the Interior with regards to allowing e-bikes the same (or at least similar) regulations as a regular bike.
There are a few reasons for this and if you were to read the full Secretarial Order n. 3376 you’ll see the DOI specifically cites that the Order is intended to increase recreational opportunities for all Americans, especially those with physical limitations, and to encourage the enjoyment of lands and waters managed by the DOI.
But how do they regulate e-bikes? Well, the DOI has adopted the widely accepted 3 Classes structure. This is what that looks like:
- CLASS 1: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20mph.
- CLASS 2: Bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated motor, that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20mph. These e-bikes also have pedal assist capabilities.
- CLASS 3: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 28mph.
Then, anything outside of these 3 definitions is simply considered for “offroad use only.”
This is how it was rolled out. The DOI issued the SO 3376 with clear instructions for the 4 departments under the DOI.
- National Park Service: Park Superintendents must develop an e-bike policy and consider allowing e-bikes were bicycles are allowed.
- Bureau of Land Management: District or Field Managers must authorize e-bikes before they can be ridden on non-motorized trails, and consider allowing e-bikes where bicycles are allowed.
- Bureau of Reclamation: Regional Directors must designate areas open to e-bike use in some areas that allow bicycles. E-bike use may be restricted after taking into account local needs.
- Fish and Wildlife Service: Class1, 2, and 3 e-bikes can be ridden in areas where bicycles are allowed. E-bikes must be operated in pedal assist mode, and are prohibited where bicycles are prohibited.
Now that’s what the DOI instructed and as we all know, changes take time but a lot of states have already adopted an encouraging stance on the use of e-bikes.
In fact only 7 states still have yet to clarify or update any outdated regulations that fail to recognize e-bikes. Those states, at the time of writing this are: Alabama, Alaska, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota and Rhode Island. All other states already adopt the 3 Class model or something similar.
Park Rangers know the benefits of using e-bikes. In fact, the Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources have been using QuietKat’s 1000 watt models since 2016 for patrolling and citing wildlife violations by their Conservation Officers.
“One case was reported of illegal baiting of deer behind locked gates, and Officer Leclerc utilized the QuietKat eBike to sneak up on the violator and ticket the individual,” said DNR Lt. Jim Gorno. “Overall, the bike has been a great enforcement tool for our division.”
If you are considering using an e-bike be sure to check your states regulations in advance, chances are you will fall under the most widely adopted model. Most states allow up to Class 2 e-bikes for hunting. However in Pennsylvania for example they recently decided Class 1 was the limit. In that case if you have a Class 2 e-bike you can remove the throttle switch completely from the handlebars rendering your Class 2 a Class 1 e-bike.
If you want to check out the best electric hunting bikes available go to www.eBikeGeneration.com.
If you want to know how your state regulates e-bikes the best resource is at https://peopleforbikes.org/our-work/e-bikes/policies-and-laws/ or ask eBike Generation staff to guide you.
For more information visit: http://ebikegeneration.com?aff=275
