Have been doing a few miles pack plus weight 5/7 days a week.
September will be along soon.
Any others training?
What's your version?
R
September will be along soon.
Any others training?
What's your version?
R
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Hunting & Fishing Training for Mountain hunting
- Thread starter Rthur
- Start date
Depends on the slope and altitude. Tried climbing stairs (i.e., do you have a local high school stadium with bleachers)?
Will you have to pack out meat? If so, maybe stairs with 35 pounds on your back is a good start for legs and wind.
Your stride will be different if you're carrying your rifle vice strapping it to your pack.
Will you have to pack out meat? If so, maybe stairs with 35 pounds on your back is a good start for legs and wind.
Your stride will be different if you're carrying your rifle vice strapping it to your pack.
Actual hiking with weight in the steeps is best but who can.
Biking is the closet training, closest to real up hilling hiking training there is. This is not spinning at high RPMs with full leg extension. Keep the seat low so your legs are in the power stroke like hiking up a hill, high resistance or high gear and/or actual climb up a hill if you can. Power stroke until failure then low resistance or high gear to spin at high RPM for recovery. Repeat. don't stop until finished.
Running is for the endurance and heart rate that equates to recovery after high exertion. As you run, change your pace to a moderate fast to a slow jog. If you can, spend time on a track speed work. Jog a lap then sprint 3/4 speed for 50, 100, 200 yards, etc then finish off the lap at a slow run, then repeat. Don't stop, always in constant run mode sprinting or jogging for usually a mile, 4 laps to 8 laps.
Above training is great for hills but do very little for your balance = core training.
Climb steps with a heavy pack, do not use the hand rail. Simulates up hill hiking with weight on the body, legs, lungs and core balancing the weighted of a pack. Come down the steps but keep the shock low on the joints.
Alternate the above between days; one day bike, one day run, one day stairs. As you get stronger, do all these on one day but do not over train, this is #1 failure at why people don't get stronger. Its the rest that builds the body not the exercise.
One day ever 2 weeks SLOD slow long overdistance run. 5-10 miles at a slow pace, I actually run by time, so this would an hour to 3 hours. This builds the body for long periods of effort without stopping but also builds the mind for long periods of boring body movement. After a 2 week cycle, do one with low weight in the 25-30 rep, then back to building strength with 2 rep max.
Weight train with exercises on the big muscles, one day push, one day pull. Warm up very light weight high reps. Do 2 sets of 2 reps max at max weight, next day go up in weight even its in one rep, finish one set 8-10 reps and/or one set at 25-30 reps. Deadlifts do more for the body core strength than any other exercise.
Keep the body fueled so it can recover. Get plenty of rest.
Biking is the closet training, closest to real up hilling hiking training there is. This is not spinning at high RPMs with full leg extension. Keep the seat low so your legs are in the power stroke like hiking up a hill, high resistance or high gear and/or actual climb up a hill if you can. Power stroke until failure then low resistance or high gear to spin at high RPM for recovery. Repeat. don't stop until finished.
Running is for the endurance and heart rate that equates to recovery after high exertion. As you run, change your pace to a moderate fast to a slow jog. If you can, spend time on a track speed work. Jog a lap then sprint 3/4 speed for 50, 100, 200 yards, etc then finish off the lap at a slow run, then repeat. Don't stop, always in constant run mode sprinting or jogging for usually a mile, 4 laps to 8 laps.
Above training is great for hills but do very little for your balance = core training.
Climb steps with a heavy pack, do not use the hand rail. Simulates up hill hiking with weight on the body, legs, lungs and core balancing the weighted of a pack. Come down the steps but keep the shock low on the joints.
Alternate the above between days; one day bike, one day run, one day stairs. As you get stronger, do all these on one day but do not over train, this is #1 failure at why people don't get stronger. Its the rest that builds the body not the exercise.
One day ever 2 weeks SLOD slow long overdistance run. 5-10 miles at a slow pace, I actually run by time, so this would an hour to 3 hours. This builds the body for long periods of effort without stopping but also builds the mind for long periods of boring body movement. After a 2 week cycle, do one with low weight in the 25-30 rep, then back to building strength with 2 rep max.
Weight train with exercises on the big muscles, one day push, one day pull. Warm up very light weight high reps. Do 2 sets of 2 reps max at max weight, next day go up in weight even its in one rep, finish one set 8-10 reps and/or one set at 25-30 reps. Deadlifts do more for the body core strength than any other exercise.
Keep the body fueled so it can recover. Get plenty of rest.
Everything above is great advice. Now try some of that at the altitude you are actually going to hunt. Depending on the unit draw for a particular year we hunt between 6,500 and 9,500 ASL, mostly at the higher end of that. Trust me that makes a difference. That's coming from someone who already lives ~2,300 ASL. I don't know if you can train at altitude where you are at now but if you can you should do it.
Our "training" consisted of scouting/load in trips. Six miles in from the nearest road (dirt or otherwise) on foot with full packs. The mules (x3) and horses (x2) carried the heavy stuff. Five miles out to a dirt road. Reason being the top down hike in to camp was six miles and the exit hike was mostly downhill. We left trucks and tailors at both locations. Do that kind of work for three or four times just prior to the hunt and it will help tremendously. Plus the scouting will pay off in the long run too.
Oh and we pulled three bulls out that year. Unfortunately for me I did not tag out. That hunt did however leave me with a shot I replay in my head over and over as I missed the 2nd biggest bull I had ever seen at 444 yds. Early morning, cross canyon, into the sun, no wind, and I shot just over his back with my .300 WM. That's the shot I would most like to have back in all my hunting years. :-(
May you have the best of luck on your hunt!
Our "training" consisted of scouting/load in trips. Six miles in from the nearest road (dirt or otherwise) on foot with full packs. The mules (x3) and horses (x2) carried the heavy stuff. Five miles out to a dirt road. Reason being the top down hike in to camp was six miles and the exit hike was mostly downhill. We left trucks and tailors at both locations. Do that kind of work for three or four times just prior to the hunt and it will help tremendously. Plus the scouting will pay off in the long run too.
Oh and we pulled three bulls out that year. Unfortunately for me I did not tag out. That hunt did however leave me with a shot I replay in my head over and over as I missed the 2nd biggest bull I had ever seen at 444 yds. Early morning, cross canyon, into the sun, no wind, and I shot just over his back with my .300 WM. That's the shot I would most like to have back in all my hunting years. :-(
May you have the best of luck on your hunt!
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I agree but its hard for those from the flat land to train at any altitude. My plan was always go high, sleep low. Some people can adjust to altitude while others cannot.
I don’t know if altitude is an issue for you, but if it is here are a few things that help me.
I live at 50’ and hunt at 6-8k plus
Once a week I make the 1hr drive to do a day hike in the mountains at elevation, also good for the legs.
I also swim regularly, and free dive, (scuba less the tanks). This is especially helpful as it makes your body learn to function with less oxygen.
As others have mentioned, putting down some miles with your pack on and loaded, wearing your boots, trekking poles, etc not only gets you in shape but makes sure your gear is all g2g.
I live at 50’ and hunt at 6-8k plus
Once a week I make the 1hr drive to do a day hike in the mountains at elevation, also good for the legs.
I also swim regularly, and free dive, (scuba less the tanks). This is especially helpful as it makes your body learn to function with less oxygen.
As others have mentioned, putting down some miles with your pack on and loaded, wearing your boots, trekking poles, etc not only gets you in shape but makes sure your gear is all g2g.
I live in Nebraksa. It doesnt get any flatter.
For our Idaho trip, I went to one of the local reservoirs and would hike up and down the backside of the dam, fully loaded. It isn't perfect, but it worked well and am glad I did it.
For our Idaho trip, I went to one of the local reservoirs and would hike up and down the backside of the dam, fully loaded. It isn't perfect, but it worked well and am glad I did it.
Just got back from a week of hiking in Colorado down in Ouray. I live in Indiana at an elevation of 562’. Stayed above 11,000’ most of the time. Lots of sketchy snow above that. I do 5+ mile hikes three times a week at a state park that has tremendous trails with various types of terrain. Work out on a Red Cord system for the core. Gets me in great shape just can’t figure out how to prepare for the lack of oxygen lol.
i have Never been on a hunt where running or swimming was needed... My only suggestion would be to do more hiking/walking with a pack 6 weeks before the hunt. Get the hips and feet used to the equipment.
A pack twice the weight of the one I will hunt with and walk every incline I can find 3 times a week. Squats, push ups, pullups, burpee. This year adding a 15lb kettlebell while hiking to simulate a rifle.
Rifle is 7.5 using 2x just like pack for training. At 10k feet my 7.5 lb rifle after 12miles will feel like 15.
"Biking is the closet training, closest to real up hilling hiking training there is. This is not spinning at high RPMs with full leg extension. Keep the seat low so your legs are in the power stroke like hiking up a hill, high resistance or high gear and/or actual climb up a hill if you can. Power stroke until failure then low resistance or high gear to spin at high RPM for recovery. Repeat. don't stop until finished."
Cycling is great for conditioning but be careful with setting the seat low and grinding up hills since it can be very hard on your knees. Hunt, fish and cycle at altitude in my sixties. Aerobic conditioning and muscular endurance is important at altitude and will allow you to recover after a hard effort such as going up a steep grade. You may get winded but you will recover. Stay fueled and hydrated.
Cycling is great for conditioning but be careful with setting the seat low and grinding up hills since it can be very hard on your knees. Hunt, fish and cycle at altitude in my sixties. Aerobic conditioning and muscular endurance is important at altitude and will allow you to recover after a hard effort such as going up a steep grade. You may get winded but you will recover. Stay fueled and hydrated.
I have not done any backcountry hunts yet, but I spend a lot of time hiking/camping in the mountains carrying varying amounts of weight.
When you’re in the mountains, you need to find your pace. Too fast burns you out and going too slow means you don’t reach the destination or goal. Learn to manage your food/water intake while burning calories. Too many times I’ve hiked a mountain gaining 3000’ elevation and ate nothing until reaching my destination. It burned me out and made the descent of 3000’ even more exhausting.
You can be in great shape, but if you don’t practice those two things, it won’t matter. You’ll either be gassed and hungry/dehydrated or a full stomach and not reach your goal.
When you’re in the mountains, you need to find your pace. Too fast burns you out and going too slow means you don’t reach the destination or goal. Learn to manage your food/water intake while burning calories. Too many times I’ve hiked a mountain gaining 3000’ elevation and ate nothing until reaching my destination. It burned me out and made the descent of 3000’ even more exhausting.
You can be in great shape, but if you don’t practice those two things, it won’t matter. You’ll either be gassed and hungry/dehydrated or a full stomach and not reach your goal.
As a flat lander out here is west Tx I struggle with the best way to train for the mountain hurts that I go on. This last year I have purchased the Atlas Trainer by Outdoorsman and have spent a lot of time on the stepper, have found that to be a very effective tool. I need to get back on the mountain bike and use that as a good way to get my legs burning!! Of course I have found, as many of you know, there is nothing that compares to being able to load your pack up and hit the mountains as the best training tool for mountain hunts!
A lot of people don't understand that bigger muscle doesn't equal bone strenght and flexibility. carrying a lot of iron will definitely give endurance to carry weight but that's it.
I do Yoga, lots of stretches and i run a lot. i feel great, ready for a hunt.
I do Yoga, lots of stretches and i run a lot. i feel great, ready for a hunt.
Lots of good stuff on here.
Hiking with weight in your pack is great but don’t go much over 35lbs and limit yourself to 2-3 times a week. Also keep hikes under 7-8 miles. And don’t hike with anything more than 20lbs the two weeks before you head out.
Your body needs time to recover.
The last thing you want is to pull something or twist something carrying a 50lb+ pack a week before you leave.
When you are not hiking do short burst cardio and work on your core.
Hiking with weight in your pack is great but don’t go much over 35lbs and limit yourself to 2-3 times a week. Also keep hikes under 7-8 miles. And don’t hike with anything more than 20lbs the two weeks before you head out.
Your body needs time to recover.
The last thing you want is to pull something or twist something carrying a 50lb+ pack a week before you leave.
When you are not hiking do short burst cardio and work on your core.
One of the best quotes I ever read. It fits perfect with this topic, I'll be 72 in a couple weeks and find this 100% accurate.
Great advice here. For myself, ive found out 2 things for mountain prep: the mountain doesn't care if you're trying to haul muscle or fat up it, and the best way to prepare for hiking is hiking. I load my pack heavier than expected for upcoming hunt, put on elevation mask, create a route on an app like Strava, and start trying to either beat my own time or distance.
Heres some advice, don't go too hard in the paint. I injured my heel in January training...now after it has failed to heal for months, I bit the bullet and put it in a cast Monday at the docs recommendation (hes been wanting me to since April). Now I hope I can get enough training in in August and September to be good to go in October. Even if I'm not good to go, I'm still going though ha!
Many folk dont think about he other part of mtn hunting. I know most on here are good shooters but high angle and extreme downhill shots really get some people if your not used to it.
Read the below, believe what you want, argue what you want, use what info you want.
Using Training Mask + other good stuff about breathing
Using Training Mask + other good stuff about breathing
A sample of what one day was like chasing the wapiti:
Steps: 23,073
Floors: 337
Miles: 10.91
Cals: 4954
Slept well most nights.
R
Steps: 23,073
Floors: 337
Miles: 10.91
Cals: 4954
Slept well most nights.
R
Great point! work load has to gradually increase to avoid injuries and allow your body to compensate. doing workouts with correct form is also paramount.Heres some advice, don't go too hard in the paint. I injured my heel in January training...now after it has failed to heal for months, I bit the bullet and put it in a cast Monday at the docs recommendation (hes been wanting me to since April). Now I hope I can get enough training in in August and September to be good to go in October. Even if I'm not good to go, I'm still going though ha!
Hiking and gaining elevation is something that you have to train for. Even if you are in good shape. Train with 1/4 more of the weight you will carry. break in your boots monitor your intake of water and food as you climb. Also plantar fasciitis is a real thing especially if your are hiking in snow while wearing snow shoes.
I'm a flat lander. I spend time in the gym with my pack with weight, my hunting boots on and on the stair machine. Also farmers carries.
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