I doubt I will make it west this year, but next year is a lock. I'll be retiring in July '11.
My plan is to spend the entire archery elk season in the mountains, national forest land, living out of a backpack.
I'll be 47 next month. I'm '8" and weighed 210 in December. After a Dr appt and some serious gut check decisions, I'm now down to 175, and feeling better than I have in years. I've been elk hunting 4 times, and the last trip I can honestly say I wa not in shape for the hunt. That will not happen again.
It is true that as we age, its easier to stay in shape than to get in shape. I totally overhauled my diet. I do not eat fast food, processed food, anything with white enriched flours, and have all but eliminated sugar and sweets from my diet. For me to do that was no east task. I eat only lean meats and game meat,lots of fresh veggies and fruit. It takes commitment, and creativity to stick with it, but keep the eye on the prize.
I lost most of my weight with no exercise, but at about 25# I hit a wall and started workouts. Not alot, I still have a long way to go, but I'm up to running 2 1/2- 3 miles per outing, which I never would have come close to 3 months ago. I also to body weight resistance exercise. No weights or gym needed, I can workout anywhere. I mix it up, doing military calisthetics, or I do hindu squats and pushups, leg lifts, sit ups etc. my goal is to get down to 160. I'm doing it slow and steady.
As for elk hunting, if you're a flatlander, give yourself a day or two to acclimate to altitude.
If you don't you risk altitude sickness and spending the next fe days in camp with a screaming headache, nausea and vomiting. Take you time.
Where getting in good cardio shape will pay off is recovery time. You'll still have to stop and catch your breath on occasion. The better shape you're in, the faster that will be. Could make thedifference in cutting off a bull or him giving you the slip. Or being able to catch your breath enough to be able to make a bow shot. Can you hunt elk if you're not in great shape- yes. Hunt slow, sit water holes, hang stands over a wallow etc. But getting in the best shape you can will save you a lot of very sore muscles, and kee pyou moving.
I have a plan that will put me in the best shape of my life by the time I retire. Running, interval training, calisthetics,and eating right.
For those who carry a lot of extra weight, changing your eating habits will work wonders for you.
I went for a cholesterol of 276 to 236 in 3 months with diet, exercise and a litte help fom pharmacuticals.
Work hard, do the best you can.
Topic: Getting in shape for Elk season (Read 2783 times)
