SteveKDC Report post Posted February 7, 2011 I gave a presentation at my clinic last Thursday evening (2/3/11) on some low tech exercises and nutrition to help hunters be ready for the field and be prepared to stay in the field longer. I was wondering if anyone on here has any exercise program or certain exercises that they do year round? Or, maybe just a month or two before the season starts? I would also like to know what nutrition secrets people have figured out over the years that help them during the season? Thanks, Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I spend 1.5hrs a day 4-5 days a weeks in the gym and stick to a pretty strict diet. Before hunting season I usually work in a lot more cardio. Best thing to get into shape for hunting season is to get an early archery bull tag and be a bad shot I usually lose 10+ lbs in a month if I'm helpin on early archery hunts. While I was living in Flag (high elevation) I played raquetball for a few months before hunting season. That was the best aerobic shape I've ever been in, and it helped me get a bull. On leg days before hunting season we work in a lot more "step ups". Not sure what the machine is called, but weighted cables in your hands and an adjustable height step to "step up on". Its like having a heavy pack and taking big steps uphill. Any cardio before hunting season is a help, or even getting acclimated to higher elevations helps. As far as nutrition I eat maximum amout of calories with minimum carbs and bad fats. Maybe different than others, but its hard for me to keep weight on during hunting season. The best advice about nutrition I've heard is to treat your body as a machine and food as fuel. Oatmeal cream pies taste great but have no nutritional value, just empty calories. I eat a lot of nuts and peanut butter all the time, especially while hunting. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveKDC Report post Posted February 8, 2011 Youngbuck: could you explain the strict diet? low carb? low fat? etc. Raquetball is a great cardio workout, even better than jogging for an hour, due to the windsprint type of activity. New research is showing that high intensity interval (windsprints) training actually stresses the heart better than jogging and your body makes and releases it's own HCG. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hunterlee Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I've always believed the saying "practice where you play". And I believe that is more so when dealing with hunting in high elevation. I think people who are even in great shape take elevation for grantid and when you are not use to it, it will kick your butt. So....practice where you play. my 2 cents... TC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DesertBull Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I spend 1.5hrs a day 4-5 days a weeks in the gym get a job son. And a girl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Noel Arnold Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I eat a lot of the good fat's.Avacados,nut's,fresh coconut ,and flax seed.Also good carbs like beans and sweet potatoes.Both of these have high fiber.I hike mountains that do not have trails because it helps your balance.Probably the best cardio workout that I get is quail hunting were there is mountains.When they fly across the canyon, I run the whole way.By the way I always take the shell out of the chamber when running.I also eat a lot of fish and red meat that I catch or shoot myself.I eat very little domestic meat because of the Hormones,steroids, antibiotics,etc,etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted February 8, 2011 Aside from a ton of pre season scouting I hike around town or just walk 3-5 miles a night the few months before season starts with a 60lbs pack. As for diet I'm pretty young at only 28 I eat anything I can get my hands on. I'm short with a tone built naturaly. I'm sure most of my pre season prep will change as I age but so far I've done good (physical) hunting wilderness areas the last few years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
youngbuck Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I spend 1.5hrs a day 4-5 days a weeks in the gym get a job son. And a girl. haha I have a full time job and take night classes. I also have 3 day weekends for the hills. I gotta eye out for a good full time girl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azslim Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I put on a 40 to 50 lb pack and do 3 miles at a fast pace every morning, shoot for 40 minutes or less. Have to be able to pass a pack test every year to work wildland fires, test is 45 lbs, 3 miles, 45 mins or less. This keeps me in shape for hunting season. Diet is pretty much wild game and fresh vegetables with an occasional fat pill thrown in (cookie, cakes, chocolate, etc) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hunterdan Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I was at the presentation the other night. Great Job Steve. I recieved a lot of valuable Info the I am working to put into place. As I get older I want to still be in shape to pound them canyons! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveKDC Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I've always believed the saying "practice where you play". And I believe that is more so when dealing with hunting in high elevation. I think people who are even in great shape take elevation for grantid and when you are not use to it, it will kick your butt. So....practice where you play. my 2 cents... TC I just moved to the Phoenix area last summer and noticed how 'great' living in the valley is for getting ready for hunting in the mountains. I went out Coue's hunting last fall with Hunterdan and n777ea and was sucking air pretty hard for the first couple of days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveKDC Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I eat a lot of the good fat's.Avacados,nut's,fresh coconut ,and flax seed.Also good carbs like beans and sweet potatoes.Both of these have high fiber.I hike mountains that do not have trails because it helps your balance.Probably the best cardio workout that I get is quail hunting were there is mountains.When they fly across the canyon, I run the whole way.By the way I always take the shell out of the chamber when running.I also eat a lot of fish and red meat that I catch or shoot myself.I eat very little domestic meat because of the Hormones,steroids, antibiotics,etc,etc. Great choice of fats and carbs. Whole grain carbs are also a good choice due to the fiber. Many people don't realize that the heart only burns fat, that is why these low fat/no fat diets can be detrimental. Too many of the wrong fats can also be detrimental. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveKDC Report post Posted February 8, 2011 I am somewhat surprised at the great choices of carbs and fats that are being talked about here, with so much of the mainstream diet education focusing on low fat. To those that are still young enough to think that they can eat whatever they want (cake, candy bars, soda), here is a word of advice "you are what you eat." Keep eating healthy and staying in shape, it will make hunting and hiking that much easier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
