Were You In Good Enough Shape?

by **ElkNut1** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 1]

Well let's be honest guys, were you in good physical condition for your style of elk hunting or did you tire to easily? There's seems to always be room for improvement but how'd you all do & what do you think you could have done that would have made the hunt more doable & enjoyable?

Personally I'd like to get a bit more endurance out of my legs, they did OK but I'm one to try & always push harder. I would honestly say my legs are my weakness in comparison to the rest of me. How about you!

ElkNut1

by **twinkieman** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 2]

Yes, but as Paul stated, it can always be better. My biggest struggle in past years, has been with altitude. I live at 500 ft., and hunt most of the time 8000- up. A couple of days that my legs were shot at the end of the day, but I was able to breathe better this year. A couple of the other guys in camp, were no where near what Heartwood,. and I were able to do, and after we were tagged out, we called for them. If they had been in better shape, they would have been able to move in on bulls better. My goal for next year, is to stay in the shape I am in now, and improve on it

, an October resolution, instead of waiting until 2015.

by **Ghost** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 3]

Ive never been in good enough shape, though last year, I did mostly backpacking with 65lbs the last couple of trips and I faired better than I did when I was 8 years younger and running every other day. We have solely concentrated on backpacking this year, my legs feel super strong, did 9.5 miles one day with 55lbs, now if I could just figure out a way to duplicate the effects of attitude here in PA Id be all sent, really wish you guys would put some oxygen in the air out there :roll:

by **LckyTylr** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 4]

Yes, finally! After spending a lot of money on my WY tag, I wasn't going to come home empty handed with excuses. I felt incredibly strong and my lungs were never a factor. Between running, mountain biking and local scouting hikes 4 days/week for two months leading up to the opener, I was pretty solid. I never felt like my body was holding me up and I had no hesitations to literally go the extra mile to put my first bull on the ground.

by **ChrisB** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 5]

I live in the flatlands as well and no matter how hard I train I suck wind at altitude for a few days upon arrival. After a few days it gets much better and then the training feels like it pays off.

There is nothing that can replace living and training at altitude.

by **zpd307** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 6]

I would say that I was in the best shape so far this year. I was tired and sore, but not enough to slow me down or make me not want to go where I needed to. the 1/2 and full marathons and triathlons really helped with my lower body and lung conditioning. I need to do more back pack and upper body work for next year. my arms and shoulder were the sorest and uncomfortable...

by **redtop** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 7]

I stay fit year round hiking, climbing, skiing, and scouting. But I am starting to feel the effects of too many birthdays.

by **elkmtngear** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 8]

I was all good until I had to pack out my bull (2 miles uphill)

I think I was well prepared, packing out an animal is always the extreme physical portion of the hunt for me.

I'm going to keep the pack on all Year this time when I do my daily treadmill workout. Get my legs and body used to a constant load, maybe increase the weight from 30 to 50 or so as the Season nears.

by **phall** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 9]

no! I drove 24 hrs from 500 ft to 9000 ft immediately threw on 90lbs of gear and hiked 4.5 miles to 10500... dang near died twice but quiting wasnt a option...like everbody said training at altitude and/or giving your body a couple acclimation days with light hiking helps tremendously. before leaving home i was running 4-5 miles 4 days a week, stairmaster 45-60 mins 5 days, weights for 1 hour 5 days a week, and push mowing my yard (about 2 miles) 70-90 lb pack twice a week. after 2 days of hard hunting i was good to go but the first couple days i was sucking air big time on even the slightest ascent. i did have some muscle soreness but keeping and getting my breath was my biggest struggle

by **Stick** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 10]

My problem is pacing myself at the beginning of the hunt. We hunt in an area that has some tremendous holes. To get the wind correct on hunts you have to go straight off the sides and then climb out. After 6 seperated trips up and down in the first 3 days of the hunt your body starts asking questions of your mind.

Other than that all things considered it was okay!

by **Drawnandpinned** » 10 11, 2014 • [Post 11]

Yeah I feel I was till I go hunting with younger guys who feel the need to hurry up hills I personally move pretty slow and listen for any movement or calling my reasons for moving slower is cause if I came up on something short winded I don't think I'd be able to take a fifty yard shot if I had to

by **Huntmaster** » 10 12, 2014 • [Post 12]

I was happy with my conditioning this year. The last couple trips my lungs have been good, but my legs would tire.

Coming from a flat 600' I had to get creative this year to build my leg strength. I put a 65# pack on and hiked a berm up and down for an hour once a week in addition to my cardio/plyo leg workouts. That was the trick, because my legs never tired.

Packing out my buddies bull was mostly down hill, but it carried pretty darn well.

We didn't do many crazy long trips, but I think I would've held up pretty well.

My goal this year is to keep up my cardio/plyo workouts three days a week until next season, then add in the weighted hikes for the last couple months. If I can do that, I'll own the mountain next year....

by **pointysticks** » 10 12, 2014 • [Post 13]

yes!!

my scouting trips were a breeze. even a pack trip to find the big boys.

here is the irony..shot my buck very close to the truck while driving to a "hike in" spot. funny how life works. at least nov 22 hog opener, will be a breeze..i have diving out of a truck worked out.

by **Rizzy** » 10 12, 2014 • [Post 14]

Yeah, now if I can just maintain it for the rest of the year. I foresee it being a bigger challenge than it used to be to remain in mountain shape while raising twins

by **Lark Bunting** » 10 12, 2014 • [Post 15]

I felt good through the forth week. I had two separate colds affect my lungs and my recovery though...not much I could do. The last weekend I bonked. I had been sick for a month, had 40+ miles on the season, packed out my deer, and had 17 nights in a tent. I was beat. I had a blast that last weekend but I was physically exhausted. Next year I will hunt smarter instead of harder and hopefully have less miles.

by **Kevrod3** » 10 12, 2014 • [Post 16]

I felt great! The first 5 min out of the tent were always rough, but then my focus on the task at hand always kicks in! My one buddy had really bad blisters.

Lungs were good because we never got above 6500'. Although my hunting partners said it was affecting them....??? I think they thought about it to much! When I did get home after the 9 days out I was pretty sleep deprived if anything. Of course getting back in the saddle with work was not fun! Its amazing how much easier it is to wake up at 4:45am-5am when you know you are going hunting than when your going to work! haha!

May do more squats, lunges, and stairs this next year, but I never felt my legs let me down. At 35 I'm just not getting any younger and I want to stay on top of it!

by **SilverDollars** » 10 12, 2014 • [Post 17]

I'm hearing ya and recommend this product which helps us low landers adjust quickly and more fully to altitude. https://wildernessathlete.com/shop/alti ... advantage/ Like others here have suggested, arrive a couple or three days early to let your body adjust. It usually takes me 2 or 3 days before I'm feel fully adjusted. I live at 1234 ft. above sea level.

by **ishy** » 10 12, 2014 • [Post 18]

Did fine, but didn't have to pack anything. So to punish myself I just signed up for my first marathon for saturday, and it's not a flat one. 1500 feet of elevation change so we'll see how I hold up.

by **Ghost** » 10 13, 2014 • [Post 19]

SilverDollars wrote:I'm hearing ya and recommend this product which helps us low landers adjust quickly and more fully to altitude. https://wildernessathlete.com/shop/alti ... advantage/ Like others here have suggested, arrive a couple or three days early to let your body adjust. It usually takes me 2 or 3 days before I'm feel fully adjusted. I live at 1234 ft. above sea level.

I used that last year and will use it again this year. I didnt have near the issues last year like I normally do. Is it a magic bullet, probably not, but Im not arguing with the results. Every previous trip on the first day I would stop, leaned over hands on knees huffing and puffing and think to myself, "what am I doing here" not last year, and I got out of my car put 75lbs on my back and humped 3 miles back in.

by **Fridaythe13th** » 10 13, 2014 • [Post 20]

NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I can walk down hill and on the flats all day, but those d*mn hills with 60lbs of meat on your back, I never well be in shape for that. It took 3 of us 4 hours to walk 3 miles with 3 bows 1 elk head and a rear quarter.

by **Brendan** » 10 13, 2014 • [Post 21]

Good enough? Yes, certainly. But, it's impossible to be over-prepared, so would like to be even better next year. The training starts now!

What hurt me the most: My feet. I need to find a way to get them toughened up and boots REALLY broken in and fitting perfect before next time. Also - had some fit issues with my pack that weren't apparent during my prep. Ended up fighting blisters on my hip bones, or having it want to slip down.

by **BrentLaBere** » 10 13, 2014 • [Post 22]

Need to be in better mental shape....The body will do what the mind tells it to.

by **WapitiTalk1** » 10 13, 2014 • [Post 23]

I'd say I was/am in decent elk hunting shape but no sir, not to the level I needed to be for this year. Gets a bit tougher each year as I get longer in the tooth to prepare physically for the elk woods (gotta start earlier in the year), and, push through the daily ups and downs in the mountains.

by **Lefty** » 10 13, 2014 • [Post 24]

Of course I was out of shape, a 12mile day kicked my butt. Resting on Sunday I was ready to do it all over again
I had my hip replaced 15 months ago. It is finally feeling like it belongs to me. However I realized my legs need a lot more work to do what I was doing 3 years ago. I don't feel secure walking down rocks, and the sensation going up still feels foreign

by **Fullabull** » 10 13, 2014 • [Post 25]

Would like to have found out just how good of shape I was in

but we did not get an elk this year

My time was spent doing a lot of hiking 15 to 25 miles a week. When doing steeper trails I put weight in my pack. Would push the hike so my heart rate was up the whole time.
Then I would also spend time doing lunges, about 300 yards (50 at time) once a week. These are great to do!
100 push-ups a night along with some weight lifting.

I think I have a partially torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder which did not help but did not want to get it checked and tell me they had to do any surgery before elk season. Going to get that checked early this year so if that does happen, it will have time to heal.

As I get older I will have to continue to push myself harder in order to keep up with what is needed in elk country.

Going from 800 feet to 6000 - 7000 feet takes a couple days to get use to before your training kicks in.

by **flystrait** » 10 13, 2014 • [Post 26]

Phantom16 wrote:I'd say I was/am in decent elk hunting shape but no sir, not to the level I needed to be for this year. Gets a bit tougher each year as I get longer in the tooth to prepare physically for the elk woods (gotta start earlier in the year), and, push through the daily ups and downs in the mountains.

This is me as well. Although I stood up pretty well for having 2 bulged disk's this year I was still able to push forward with around 58 miles in 7 days and alot of verticle. Could not pack much though Chris and Jr had to pack his whole bull out them selves.

by **elkaholic** » 10 14, 2014 • [Post 27]

Even though I was able to put a lot of miles on the boots, and I felt good doing it, I want be better conditioned next year. I don't think one can ever have too much strength training and conditioning under your belt when it comes to hunting. This year I added an uphill training routine that greatly helped but I plan to add some other stuff next year.

by **NCelkhtr** » 10 14, 2014 • [Post 28]

nope. On my last hunt I started in April running anywhere from 2-4 miles 3 days a week and walking with a pack atleast once sometimes twice a week. This year I started a new business and added a barn and some land to the farm so I was busy. I was still in good shape, plenty good enough to hunt but not nearly as good as i was on the last hunt. I Found time to workout (5-6:30am everymorning was all i could set aside) but not nearly enough.....I paid for it

by **Gutpile** » 10 14, 2014 • [Post 29]

There is still elk hunting for some out here! I'm well prepared this year. i used to think "better start earlier" when I wasn't as in shape as I needed. But I found my fitness would peak too early and I would fatigue during the later part of the season. I start hiking with heavy packs only three to four weeks out from the season now. I chop wood to build core strength during the summer. It also helps to get to camp a day or two early to acclimate. The backpacking guys here should work on lightening their pack - 7 days for me is about 55 pounds. I hurt hearing about 90 pound packs not full of meat. Of course, the main thing to me is mental strength , barring injury. You're going to be tired n sore, how much you dwell on that is a big part of the mental game. Great job hunters - successful and not both inspire my hunting!

by **Lefty** » 10 14, 2014 • [Post 30]

However part of me is in better shape. Some of my back problems were from my hip problem. My leg doesn't have the pinched nerve in my back that has been a problem for 20 years. I expect doing what I typically do in the summer My legs will be ready for the mountains next year.

by **jrnorton4** » 10 15, 2014 • [Post 31]

No, I was not in good enough shape, but that wasn't the worst part for me. I was running 3.4 miles in 30 minutes every morning on the elliptical before we left. My knees felt better than they had since high school. As I talked to Indian Summer about when I got home, I figured out any time I get above about 8k feet, I start getting really sick. I mean like constant nausea, can't eat anything, vomit coming up into my throat every 10 minutes sick. Even after a week, I wasn't acclimated. We were camping at 12,300 ft. in Colorado, and I was miserable. I hunted 3 days, then my bud helped pack me out and I stayed at another buddy's house for a couple days at 7200 ft. I felt better, but not great. When we were leaving the last day, we made one more hunt, and as soon as we got above 8k feet, I started getting sick again. I did the same thing on the scouting trip earlier this year, but not quite as bad. We are looking for places now where we don't have to go as high to hunt.

by **pointysticks** » 10 15, 2014 • [Post 32]

jrnorton4 wrote:No, I was not in good enough shape, but that wasn't the worst part for me. I was running 3.4 miles in 30 minutes every morning on the elliptical before we left. My knees felt better than they had since high school. As I talked to Indian Summer about when I got home, I figured out any time I get above about 8k feet, I start getting really sick. I mean like constant nausea, can't eat anything, vomit coming up into my throat every 10 minutes sick. Even after a week, I wasn't acclimated. We were camping at 12,300 ft. in Colorado, and I was miserable. I hunted 3 days, then my bud helped pack me out and I stayed at another buddy's house for a couple days at 7200 ft. I felt better, but not great. When we were leaving the last day, we made one more hunt, and as soon as we got above 8k feet, I started getting sick again. I did the same thing on the scouting trip earlier this year, but not quite as bad. We are looking for places now where we don't have to go as high to hunt.

Brutal.

by **Brendan** » 10 15, 2014 • [Post 33]

jrnorton4 wrote:No, I was not in good enough shape, but that wasn't the worst part for me. I was running 3.4 miles in 30 minutes every morning on the elliptical before we left. My knees felt better than they had since high school. As I talked to Indian Summer about when I got home, I figured out any time I get above about 8k feet, I start getting really sick. I mean like constant nausea, can't eat anything, vomit coming up into my throat every 10 minutes sick. Even after a week, I wasn't acclimated. We were camping at 12,300 ft. in Colorado, and I was miserable. I hunted 3 days, then my bud helped pack me out and I stayed at another buddy's house for a couple days at 7200 ft. I felt better, but not great. When we were leaving the last day, we made one more hunt, and as soon as we got above 8k feet, I started getting sick again. I did the same thing on the scouting trip earlier this year, but not quite as bad. We are looking for places now where we don't have to go as high to hunt.

Out of curiosity - have you thought about trying a Diamox prescription? Might want to talk to an MD about it...

by **pointysticks** » 10 15, 2014 • [Post 34]

Brendan wrote:
jrnorton4 wrote:No, I was not in good enough shape, but that wasn't the worst part for me. I was running 3.4 miles in 30 minutes every morning on the elliptical before we left. My knees felt better than they had since high school. As I talked to Indian Summer about when I got home, I figured out any time I get above about 8k feet, I start getting really sick. I mean like constant nausea, can't eat anything, vomit coming up into my throat every 10 minutes sick. Even after a week, I wasn't acclimated. We were camping at 12,300 ft. in Colorado, and I was miserable. I hunted 3 days, then my bud helped pack me out and I stayed at another buddy's house for a couple days at 7200 ft. I felt better, but not great. When we were leaving the last day, we made one more hunt, and as soon as we got above 8k feet, I started getting sick again. I did the same thing on the scouting trip earlier this year, but not quite as bad. We are looking for places now where we don't have to go as high to hunt.

Out of curiosity - have you thought about trying a Diamox prescription? Might want to talk to an MD about it...

Right. My friend used this. He shot a deer in Montana while wearing an oxygen mask. Haha. Now I think he medicates.

by **jrnorton4** » 10 16, 2014 • [Post 35]

Brendan wrote:
jrnorton4 wrote:No, I was not in good enough shape, but that wasn't the worst part for me. I was running 3.4 miles in 30 minutes every morning on the elliptical before we left. My knees felt better than they had since high school. As I talked to Indian Summer about when I got home, I figured out any time I get above about 8k feet, I start getting really sick. I mean like constant nausea, can't eat anything, vomit coming up into my throat every 10 minutes sick. Even after a week, I wasn't acclimated. We were camping at 12,300 ft. in Colorado, and I was miserable. I hunted 3 days, then my bud helped pack me out and I stayed at another buddy's house for a couple days at 7200 ft. I felt better, but not great. When we were leaving the last day, we made one more hunt, and as soon as we got above 8k feet, I started getting sick again. I did the same thing on the scouting trip earlier this year, but not quite as bad. We are looking for places now where we don't have to go as high to hunt.

Out of curiosity - have you thought about trying a Diamox prescription? Might want to talk to an MD about it...

I haven't yet, but I definitely will before we go anywhere else. I want to call and kill an elk. Bad. This is a big setback for me, but I will be back at it.

by **Heartwood** » 10 18, 2014 • [Post 36]

Good enough? Yes. Not as good as last season though. Twinkieman could have put the hurt on me but he didn't quite get the chance. Need to do some strength work and work hard on the endurance while keeping the weight down.

by **bowhunter15** » 10 19, 2014 • [Post 37]

Yes and no. I never really felt inadequately in shape. Packing in I would need to take a few breaks going up the steep, long climbs. But I was able to fly with just my daypack and hunted all the areas I wanted to. I was in much better shape than my two hunting partners. On the way out, I pushed myself and got ahead of them. We had three miles to the truck, with the last mile all uphill. I beat them by 45 minutes. That being said, if I needed to pack out three loads of meat, I would have wanted to be in better shape, with about 20 more pounds of muscle too.

by **Ridgernr** » 10 19, 2014 • [Post 38]

I find that every year gets harder to carve out time but I try this year was a little tougher trying to keep up with a 24 year old son in law that really wants to kill his first elk.
I did OK for 51 yrs of wear and tear.
Legs do good can always improve there but I do need to work on cardio,

by **a3dhunter** » 10 19, 2014 • [Post 39]

No, I wasn't.
I was on pace to be, but had some medical issues in July and then tore a rib loose from my spine in August. I wasn't even sure I could walk without pain, let alone hunt the way I want to.
Didn't feel like there was no pain until the 2nd to last weekend of season.
I need to drop 30-40 lbs for where I need to be, maybe more.

by wb » 10 20, 2014 • [Post 40]

Have you guys looked into Train to Hunt? I did a couple this summer and it is the best thing I have seen for getting into elk shape. The Train to Hunt Challenges are three events, a hunter's 3D course, a meat pack, and then the challenge is a combination of exercises and shooting, all with a 25 pound pack. It is not for the the faint of heart, but it is great for motivation. It is a really neat group of people as well.

I think there are events in Idaho, Colorado, Airzona, Washington and Oregon this next summer.

I highly recommend it if you want to really up your level of fitness and want to practice shooting while you are still trying to recover from chasing Mr. Big Bull up the side of a mountain.

http://www.traintohunt.com

willy

by **bowhunter15** » 10 20, 2014 • [Post 41]

Looks like a pretty cool organization. Wish they had that kind of stuff here in Minnesota.

by **one_elk** » 10 20, 2014 • [Post 42]

I was in good enough shape for a successful solo wilderness hunt/harvest and pack but could always be in better shape and as the years creep up on ya it takes more and more of a commitment to maintain the needed level of fitness even with multiple activities through the seasons…..then you share a log with a 75 year old guy who just finished packing out an elk, all be it with some help, you (at least I ) have new inspiration….I can only hope that I will have that level of fitness is 17 years….better quite typing and go do some situps rrrr