We decided to try a new hunting strategy this weekend. We planned on trying to use motorcycles to get us into very hard to reach areas north of Wickenburg, AZ. Prior to trying this endeavor, I had a LOT of research and some prepping to do.
First I had to find a better way to carry my gear and gun. After much deliberation, and several months saving my lunch money, I decided on the Eberlestock Gunslinger 2 backpack in Flat Earth color. I like that the Eberlestock can carry larger and longer weapons , like my 24in bull barrel Specialized Dynamics AR, BUTT DOWN. Many of Eberlestock's pack carry rifles, but most carry them barrel down. This tends to let the gun shift around in transit. Something that I did not want to happen while I was on a bike. The pack was expensive, but well worth it. It is made of very high quality materials, and the workmanship is fantastic. The flat earth color is interesting, odd when you first see it, and unconvincing, until you take it to the field where it blends in beautifully. The pack has one main compartment that can carry up to 3 water bladders, a binocular/sunglass compartment, and a compression strap set up that lends itself well to strapping on a number of other accessories. The strap system is amazingly comfortable, with he hip belt carrying the load well. While my AR fits into it pretty well, I found that my Mossberg 500 with a 28in barrel sat very high. As I would be going into the brush, I was concerned about getting snagged. So I refitted my shotgun.
Onto the Mossberg went a Butler Creek side folding stock. I had looked at many different make and models of stocks before deciding on the Butler Creek. I was almost sold on the Blackhawk Spec Ops, but the way that it folds it leaves a lot of the stock sticking above the receiver. After much deliberation and the advice of friends and my girlfriend, I went with the side folding option. Amazon.com was amazing, as I ordered the stock last Sunday night and received it Monday afternoon. The stock takes a little to install, but if you follow the directions it is not a problem. It fit right the first time with no modifications. I didn't care for the black so I wrapped it in camo wrap and included a cheek pad for comfort. It took of almost 13 inches of stock in the folded position. It fit perfect in my pack, leaving enough room to get my folding stool in at the same time. So off I went today to give the whole thing a try.
Our time between stands was greatly reduced by the agility of the motorcycles. Set up and break down took a little longer because we had to unpack and repack things at almost every stand. But we got into some amazing areas. And we did call in this great looking fox. My partner and I had switched guns because of our set up, so the fox was taken with a Specialized Dynamics AR-15. We did end up shooting the shotgun to give it a proper break in. Extended the stock mounts the same as the standard stock. Recoil is the same. Folded the recoil of the shotgun is about the same as a .44 magnum revolver, and is very manageable. When I get into really tight areas, like thick brush, I will have no reservations about leaving the stock folded, so that I can swing the gun easier. Overall it was a great trip, and the equipment worked as advertised.
Her is a pic of my shotgun with he new stock, next to my other shotgun with he standard stock,
And the fox, overlooking the bowl that he came out of,
I would recommend the Eberlestock Gunslinger 2 backpack and the Butler Creek sidefolding stock for those who might be interested in trying a hunt from a motorcycle.
Mo
First I had to find a better way to carry my gear and gun. After much deliberation, and several months saving my lunch money, I decided on the Eberlestock Gunslinger 2 backpack in Flat Earth color. I like that the Eberlestock can carry larger and longer weapons , like my 24in bull barrel Specialized Dynamics AR, BUTT DOWN. Many of Eberlestock's pack carry rifles, but most carry them barrel down. This tends to let the gun shift around in transit. Something that I did not want to happen while I was on a bike. The pack was expensive, but well worth it. It is made of very high quality materials, and the workmanship is fantastic. The flat earth color is interesting, odd when you first see it, and unconvincing, until you take it to the field where it blends in beautifully. The pack has one main compartment that can carry up to 3 water bladders, a binocular/sunglass compartment, and a compression strap set up that lends itself well to strapping on a number of other accessories. The strap system is amazingly comfortable, with he hip belt carrying the load well. While my AR fits into it pretty well, I found that my Mossberg 500 with a 28in barrel sat very high. As I would be going into the brush, I was concerned about getting snagged. So I refitted my shotgun.
Onto the Mossberg went a Butler Creek side folding stock. I had looked at many different make and models of stocks before deciding on the Butler Creek. I was almost sold on the Blackhawk Spec Ops, but the way that it folds it leaves a lot of the stock sticking above the receiver. After much deliberation and the advice of friends and my girlfriend, I went with the side folding option. Amazon.com was amazing, as I ordered the stock last Sunday night and received it Monday afternoon. The stock takes a little to install, but if you follow the directions it is not a problem. It fit right the first time with no modifications. I didn't care for the black so I wrapped it in camo wrap and included a cheek pad for comfort. It took of almost 13 inches of stock in the folded position. It fit perfect in my pack, leaving enough room to get my folding stool in at the same time. So off I went today to give the whole thing a try.
Our time between stands was greatly reduced by the agility of the motorcycles. Set up and break down took a little longer because we had to unpack and repack things at almost every stand. But we got into some amazing areas. And we did call in this great looking fox. My partner and I had switched guns because of our set up, so the fox was taken with a Specialized Dynamics AR-15. We did end up shooting the shotgun to give it a proper break in. Extended the stock mounts the same as the standard stock. Recoil is the same. Folded the recoil of the shotgun is about the same as a .44 magnum revolver, and is very manageable. When I get into really tight areas, like thick brush, I will have no reservations about leaving the stock folded, so that I can swing the gun easier. Overall it was a great trip, and the equipment worked as advertised.
Her is a pic of my shotgun with he new stock, next to my other shotgun with he standard stock,
And the fox, overlooking the bowl that he came out of,
I would recommend the Eberlestock Gunslinger 2 backpack and the Butler Creek sidefolding stock for those who might be interested in trying a hunt from a motorcycle.
Mo
