Preparing for a Hunt

[BigRonHuntAlot]

If you were going on a hunt in Texas Hill Country in March 2007,... How would you physically prepare for it? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

[Dan Chamberlain]

Learn to drink beer!

That hill country isn't really hilly!  It's not anything like the Appalacians or the Smokeys.  It's got some ups and downs and some ravines and valleys, but it's decent going.  Good boots that protect the ankels would be helpful.  If you're afraid of snakes, you might invest in some snake chaps, but I never needed them.  I hunted in sneakers a lot, but an occasional prickly pear thorn stuck through them.  

Dan

[Goatpacker]

You need to prepair for things that stick, sting, and bite. The weather will be windy, be prepaired for some rain, it could be freezing in the AM and 90+ in the afternoon. I have been in shorts and flip flops one day and insulated coveralls the next that time of the year. Other than that you will have a great time and meet some good people. I hope you enjoy yourself down here.

[Terry Green]

No worries mate.

Make sure you have plenty of water on you....and don't forget your tweezers.

[Littlefeather]

To keep in shape for the West Texas ranches I run the Football Stadium bleachers. 8 Stands equaly about a mile and a half but straight up and straight down. Good for the heart and hard on the knees. The other conditioning is simply getting used to Tecate Beer!    CK

[BigRonHuntAlot]

LOL  

[Nakohe]

Ron,

I hunt in Mason county in the middle of the Hill Country of Texas. I bought some snake boots at Cabelas a while back and I love them. Good on Mr. Diamondback as wll as cactus thorns. We have a lot of "attack cactus" down here. LOL. The little buggers jump out and attack your shins while you are walking through the woods. Big long spines on em. Where are you going?

[BigRonHuntAlot]

Pecos River Ranch I believe.  

[mike g]

Ron....
I love the San Antone area....
Don't worry about there Hills, there little swells at there best....
    As said above, if it pokes, sticks, stabs, irrattes, they have it....
    I have been there in April, and it was HOT, Matter of fact when ever I was there it was hot....
    In the Morning if it is cool, you won't have to worry to much about the Snakes, they need to warm up first....
    And yes it rains there in a heart Beat, just like 5 Min Monshoons are something, just wait a Min and it will be HOT again....
    You'll love it.........

[hunt it]

Ron,

If you studied any of the ranch pics that Curtis posted you will see the terrain. I think this place is not you average Hill Country terrain from what I see. We are in quite a valley, my guess is you have a 1500 to 2000ft climb to peak out of that valley. This is going to take some fair hiking no matter where your from. I would work on some stair climbing like Curtis suggests and some cardio exercises such as running or jogging. Anything you can do even a 1hr walk per day with 25lbs in a pack will strengthen your legs and knees. I would also reccomend some boots with good ankle support for those hills.