elk hunting shape?

[montanahunter10]

I always here people say their getting in "elk hunting shape," and decided to see what other people consider good elk hunting shape.

[Colorado Cowboy]

Let me begin by saying I will be 72 this October. I work out in a gym 3 or 4 days a week doing mostly cardio stuff on the treadmill and stairmaster. I also do leg work on the weight machines. My workouts take about 1 1/2 hours. During the spring/summer/fall, I walk 3 to 4 miles over hilly terrain near my place 3 to 4 days a week in the evenings.

The hardest part for most hunters (IMHO) is getting used to the altitude, especially the ones who live at less than around 3000 feet. I live at 6800 feet so I have a distinct advantage in that respect.

At my age and even with a total knee replacement that is 10 years old, I can usually keep at it all day. Each summer I do several high altitude hikes in a local wilderness area to fish. Usually do the 10 or so mile roundtrip in a day and hike to 11,000 to fish.

Just keep at it, and at my age, no looking back as they might be catching up!!!

[Ikeepitcold]

Let me begin by saying I will be 72 this October. I work out in a gym 3 or 4 days a week doing mostly cardio stuff on the treadmill and stairmaster. I also do leg work on the weight machines. My workouts take about 1 1/2 hours. During the spring/summer/fall, I walk 3 to 4 miles over hilly terrain near my place 3 to 4 days a week in the evenings.

The hardest part for most hunters (IMHO) is getting used to the altitude, especially the ones who live at less than around 3000 feet. I live at 6800 feet so I have a distinct advantage in that respect.

At my age and even with a total knee replacement that is 10 years old, I can usually keep at it all day. Each summer I do several high altitude hikes in a local wilderness area to fish. Usually do the 10 or so mile roundtrip in a day and hike to 11,000 to fish.


Just keep at it, and at my age, no looking back as they might be catching up!!!

Holy crap CC! I hope I have that kind of motivation when I get to your age.

[In God We Trust]

I lift weights 5 days a week year round with cardio mixed in. Once the beginning of March comes I start training for a 5K and 10k. This year I am also going to do the Tough Mudder Race in Beaver Creek. By the time June rolls around I can easily run 6+ miles. I also like to back pack during the summer, it is the best way to scout.

[Old Hunter]

Depends where you hunt. If you're a flatlander, and are planning on hunting at timberline in Colorado. Those 3 miles will barely get you through the first day.

[460s&w]

I lift weights 5 days a week year round with cardio mixed in. Once the beginning of March comes I start training for a 5K and 10k. This year I am also going to do the Tough Mudder Race in Beaver Creek. By the time June rolls around I can easily run 6+ miles. I also like to back pack during the summer, it is the best way to scout.

.
is this going to be your first year at the tough mudder. I'm thinking of doing one in Wisconsin .

[Bitterroot Bulls]

I always here people say their getting in "elk hunting shape," and decided to see what other people consider good elk hunting shape. For example, I believe running three miles without stopping at about a 10 mph pace is decent.

Yeah, an 18 minute 5k is "decent" Hahaha.

There are a lot of individual things that go into it, but I think being in "elk shape" involves being able to go all day hard in the elk woods and being able to do it again the next day, and the next...

[Muleys 24/7]

Yeah, an 18 minute 5k is "decent" Hahaha.

There are a lot of individual things that go into it, but I think being in "elk shape" involves being able to go all day hard in the elk woods and being able to do it again the next day, and the next...

I agree, it always gets harder day2, day3, day4.

[Ikeepitcold]

Yeah, an 18 minute 5k is "decent" Hahaha.

There are a lot of individual things that go into it, but I think being in "elk shape" involves being able to go all day hard in the elk woods and being able to do it again the next day, and the next...

Totally agree. The first day or two are the easy ones. It's the days after that. When you wake up in the morning and feel its hard to get out of bed and do it again that's when it gets into the mind game. For me if I'm really in the correct shape to hunt the mind game isn't so hard to over come.

I would say that when you think your in shape and you've made your goals, you should make new goals and keep pushing yourself to do more then you expected. The extra work will pay off in the end.

[7mmshot]

just being and working at an altitude above 7000 ft. is enough.
You can take a hike around your house and not be wasted. Right?
I have worked at above 10,000 ft and when hunting season came it was no big deal. I didn't have to go to the gym and I didn't have to do a marathon all summer to train.

It's the oxygen that your body can handle. If you are not out of shape and climatize to the high country your body adjust to the lack of oxygen, Then it's just hunting at that point