Just curious if anyone hits the gym a little more before deer or any other hunting season?
I didn't do a lot of research, but I totally agree with this article about the chances of having a heart attack while hunting are greater than getting hit by a stray bullet.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/27/hm.hunter.hazards/
I'm sure most of us are young and in good shape, but I know and met several other hunters who are LARGE and a simple walk through the woods was exhausting to them. I remember about 15 years ago I was in Maryland during the gun season and the place I was hunting was being driven by some locals (they had permission to be there too). One guy was close to 400 pounds and had just walked a maybe a quarter mile in some tough terrain. He was in BAD shape and not doing good. I swear he was getting ready to die and everyone was scrambling to get him a 4x4 to get him out of the woods. They got him out and I believe he was OK, but that memory is one I'll never forget.
Also dragging a deer, climbing a tree, walking with all the extra gear on is physically tough. Walking through the woods isn't the same as walking down the street. Just raising your feet 5 to 10 more inches uses your leg muscles in ways you aren't used too and takes more energy. Add mud, snow, and some blow downs and its even worse.
Deer hunting isn't like elk hunting so you obviously don't have to train hard for it, but if you are outta shape then fitness can still impact your hunting. Something as simple as taking 30 minutes for a simple walk through the woods or a short hike with a small pack can do a lot. Another thing is that if you are fit you aren't going to be as winded or sweaty when you get into your stand. You'll also enjoy your hunting trip more because you won't be tired and sore either. Hell it might even save your life.
Anyway, most of you know I'm going elk hunting next month. I was sick during July and it really killed my fitness level. I'm slowly building back up and I'm fixing to do a 10-15 mile mountain bike ride for today's cardio. I've been dealing with back and knee problems too. I can't stress how a strong core and legs impact your overall fitness. It's great to bench 300 pounds, but if your legs and core are week then so aren't you. For the past 10 months I modified my work outs to using much lighter weight and doing a lot of leg and core work. My back and knee problems are still there, but they aren't as painful know.
Sorry for the long thread, but I figured I'd see what everyone else thought about this topic.
I didn't do a lot of research, but I totally agree with this article about the chances of having a heart attack while hunting are greater than getting hit by a stray bullet.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/conditions/10/27/hm.hunter.hazards/
I'm sure most of us are young and in good shape, but I know and met several other hunters who are LARGE and a simple walk through the woods was exhausting to them. I remember about 15 years ago I was in Maryland during the gun season and the place I was hunting was being driven by some locals (they had permission to be there too). One guy was close to 400 pounds and had just walked a maybe a quarter mile in some tough terrain. He was in BAD shape and not doing good. I swear he was getting ready to die and everyone was scrambling to get him a 4x4 to get him out of the woods. They got him out and I believe he was OK, but that memory is one I'll never forget.
Also dragging a deer, climbing a tree, walking with all the extra gear on is physically tough. Walking through the woods isn't the same as walking down the street. Just raising your feet 5 to 10 more inches uses your leg muscles in ways you aren't used too and takes more energy. Add mud, snow, and some blow downs and its even worse.
Deer hunting isn't like elk hunting so you obviously don't have to train hard for it, but if you are outta shape then fitness can still impact your hunting. Something as simple as taking 30 minutes for a simple walk through the woods or a short hike with a small pack can do a lot. Another thing is that if you are fit you aren't going to be as winded or sweaty when you get into your stand. You'll also enjoy your hunting trip more because you won't be tired and sore either. Hell it might even save your life.
Anyway, most of you know I'm going elk hunting next month. I was sick during July and it really killed my fitness level. I'm slowly building back up and I'm fixing to do a 10-15 mile mountain bike ride for today's cardio. I've been dealing with back and knee problems too. I can't stress how a strong core and legs impact your overall fitness. It's great to bench 300 pounds, but if your legs and core are week then so aren't you. For the past 10 months I modified my work outs to using much lighter weight and doing a lot of leg and core work. My back and knee problems are still there, but they aren't as painful know.
Sorry for the long thread, but I figured I'd see what everyone else thought about this topic.