Getting in shape for Elk season

[K.S.TRAPPER]

Excellent Mike    

Tracy

[ksbowman]

Jeremy, I did that two years ago for a Colorado elk hunt and it worked real well. Although I never got past 50# and 5 miles every other day.

[hvyhitter]

WOW ..great thread! Got a few things to add. I ran seriously for 20 yrs (USMC) and that included 4 marathons and humping a pack and rifle/machine gun for more miles than I'd like to count. Here is what I learned the hard way.

1. Not all runners need the same running shoes,some need more cushion and many need more support,esp us bigger guys. Use your running shoes for running only and after about 6-8 months of 15+ mile weeks they will be breaking down so replace them (your joints will thank you)Then you can use them for everyday shoes. 30-45 min. three times a week will build your cardio.

2. Hump,hike,walk, with a weighted pack and the boots you will be hunting in (blisters on a hunt suck). Start light,(20#)and work up (bags of cat litter work great). You use the same muscles differently when walking under a load and running. Do hills,bleachers,steps, both up and down, to build strength with stamina. Going down is harder on muscles than up and more likely for injury. The closer to the hunt do more humping than running. You should build up to one long 3 hr+ hike every 2 weeks. Walk 45-50 min,rest/water for 10.-repeat.

3. Two weeks before the hunt scale back the training to light runs and easy walks. This lets your muscles totaly recover and be healthy for when you need them most. Overtraining can really lead to serious injury and put you out of action for 6 months or more.

I drew a western Montana buck tag this year so I'm in the same boat. At 49 it seems to hurt a lot more to get back in shape than I remembered it did.

[wapiti792]

Wanted to bring this back up...started training for the first of 3 triathlons this summer. We are 4 months away from elk season. I am going to train for 4 triathlons with the 4th being my week in elk country except every day in elk country is like doing a triathlon...up the mountain, down the mountain, sucking air, wondering why you are doing this to yourself then getting to the top and knowing    I can't WAIT!

[vernon]

like mentioned before take it easy just prior to the hunt to make sure your muscles recover.  Living in elk country its a little easier to stay in hunting shape due to the fact I hike the mountains whenever possible (horn hunting, fishing, bear hunting, and scouting).  taking my brother sheep hunting this fall and my plan is basically to hike a bunch, with a pack, and get my mountain legs back.  I will also lift a few weights but keep it light weight and more reps.  A good hunting buddy once said being in shape is the only way to hunt, if your not in shape and always exhausted and/or hurting it will take a ton of enjoyment out of the hunt.  If you think about it that it so true.  Good luck this fall

[JockC]

Good advice, but I can't agree completely with the guys who say they hike with the weight they carry hunting.  You want to start slow and make sure your joints have time to toughen, but you also want to build to considerably more weight than you intend to carry--even when you are carrying meat.  It's a whole different experience if/when you do that.  There is something to working those smaller stabilizing muscles that helps considerably.

[jhg]

I'm 51 now. But finally after a year feel like I am ahead of the curve regarding conditioning.

 But on a hike today I was reminded that training for going DOWNHILL is just as important as training for climbing UP.  

Different muscles. Different balance point.

Joshua

[Zog]

I just brought a different fitness thread to the top and saw that somebody referenced this one - so I'm bringing this ttt as well.