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1.) Swamp Fox - 05/31/2013
Not out of the blue...This works off another thread. Plus it's about time for Crookedeye to start asking what everybody's doing to get in shape for hunting season. :-)

When I used to do a lot of backpacking, I'd ride my bike a lot. I've never been a gym rat. I ran a little, off and on. Between biking, adult basketball, and the fact that I like to walk a lot anyway and climb stairs when others take the elevator, I always had a decent back and good legs long past high school sports.

Then eventually my knees wore out and I had to quit backpacking for a couple/three years and basketball and impact activities permanently. Never really got the legs back after that. Hell, I'm like a granny hopping down from a low rock these days. And now the back and the wind have started to go, too, I've noticed, LOL.

Well, enough of my tale of woe...

I haven't done a 40# pack in a long time, and wouldn't want to now. Lots of fun and challenge to backpack hunting, though. Half of it's pack management and gear selection, and then you still have to find the animal and get close enough.
2.) Ventilator - 05/31/2013
Well, step one for me has been to run 1-2 miles on treadmill two days a week at the gym. Day 3 at the gym has been working legs primarily. Usually a rotation of three different leg press machines and lunges using 80lb curl bar on shoulders. I goto the gym two days a week year round anyway. I just skip the leg workouts and cardio most of the time.lol.

Now that i have no choice, i am on week two of my routine. Legs are extremely sore as last night was my leg workout.

Step two will be to add the pack and do some hiking around the house. We have plenty of mtns to choose from , within walking distance of my front porch. 2-4 miles is what im thinking. Thats still a month out at least.

I know Dan-O will be hunting MT again, maybe he will chime in at some point.

Now, for the BBQ sammich!
3.) Dan-o - 06/01/2013
Pack: Kifaru bikini frame with Duplex Timberline 1 or 2 bag. Best 900 bucks spent.

As far as conditioning, I've been putting the miles in on a x9i incline trainer from nordictrack. Has a built in tablet pc and you can hike along routes using google maps. -6% to 40% incline that adjusts automatically along your route.

Lets chat more in two weeks when I'm in Durham!
4.) crookedeye - 06/01/2013
i like to do the p 23 and a half..its more or less a total core workout that combines conditioning and streth...as charles barkley would say..
5.) crookedeye - 06/01/2013
...then after that i work my way up to train like a cage fighter..
6.) Go Bucks - 06/01/2013
I get the biggest workout bag I can find, then empty it while sitting on the patio with a cold beer. The bags are labelled either fritos or cheetos.
7.) DParker - 06/01/2013
[QUOTE=Go Bucks;6350]I get the biggest workout bag I can find, then empty it while sitting on the patio with a cold beer. The bags are labelled either fritos or cheetos.[/QUOTE]

You're unnecessarily limiting the effectiveness of your workout by not including Nacho Cheese Doritos in your repertoire.
8.) crookedeye - 06/01/2013
i really like the badlands 2200..you can spin it around and open the main compartment up without taking it off..you no just in case you need a pop are a candy bar, are a quick smoke. it has compartments where you can keep candy and cigerates in..
9.) Ventilator - 06/02/2013
I have an x2 Internal frame pack now. May have to upgrade after I load it down and test it out. Time will tell..that kifaru is badass....if I can find 900 bucks lying around. Lol
10.) Swamp Fox - 06/03/2013
To Whom It May Concern:

I have a lot of experience with Badlands and like them. They have two models on the top end that would be good for a trip like this. Unfortunately, I haven't bought one of their packs in several years so have no first-hand knowledge of the current variations. They have been working on lowering their base weights over the last few years. For the value, I wouldn't worry too much about the whiners who say/have said they are heavy packs. I would take any Badlands that's intended for serous backpacking for a test run, though, because they are or were a little casual about sizing/fitting packs to your specific measurements.

Kifaru packs are top of the line and priced that way. I've looked at them hard but never pulled the trigger.

A very good alternative for the hunting backpacker are the packs from Mystery Ranch. Many western hunters are big fans.

You should also be able to find a pack that will work for your specific needs from Gregory Packs, without paying the extra money that a so-called "hunting" backpack often asks. They make top-of the-line products and provide great service. I have more Gregory packs than I care to admit, and highly recommend them.

Before dropping money on a serious backpack, get measured at a trail shop. All packs are not alike, and just because you wear a Large set of tidy whiteys does not mean you should be hunping a Large backpack.

:wink
11.) bluecat - 06/03/2013
I usually just go to a meat locker and punch hanging beef. I also do situps while holding some boulders and climb ropes in my barn on the off days.
12.) luv2bowhunt - 06/04/2013
I never go on hunting trips, so I just stay in PA shape. I've always been a believer in being healthy, you just feel better that way.

Just follow this advice; stay active, don't watch TV each evening, no computer games, no facebook, [B]no soda[/B], no cigarettes, no 'thirds' at suppertime, no snack before bed, no white bread, no fast food, [B]no beer during the week [/B]and no more than 2 on weekend days, and exercise several times a week.

Do that, and you won't find yourself, killing yourself to get back in shape.
13.) Swamp Fox - 06/04/2013
[QUOTE=luv2bowhunt;6399]...Just follow this advice;

1.stay active,
2.don't watch TV each evening,
3.no computer games,
4.no facebook,
5.no soda
6.no cigarettes,
7.no 'thirds' at suppertime,
8.no snack before bed,
9.no white bread,
10.no fast food,
11.no beer during the week
12.and no more than 2 on weekend days,
13.and exercise several times a week.

[/QUOTE]



What kind of a score do I get for 4 out of 13?

:-)
14.) Ventilator - 06/04/2013
i am at 8 looks like. lol
15.) luv2bowhunt - 06/04/2013
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;6400]What kind of a score do I get for 4 out of 13?

:-)[/QUOTE]

31% - Up north that's an F.:tu:
16.) bluecat - 06/04/2013
Well, this changes everything.
17.) Ventilator - 07/30/2013
Up to hiking 45 mins with 50lb pack 3 days a week on the mountain in NC. Also, still going to the gym two days a week after work. Usually upper body the first day and legs the next. Afterwards , i hit the treadmill on Max incline for 15 mins @ level 3.

Anyone besides Dan-o doing anything to prepare for the season? Mainly western hunting?

Antelope in CO end of August, then 8 day backpack hunt at 9500-11000 ft for elk mid sept.
18.) Deerminator - 07/30/2013
I have a lot of body conditioning to do this season :-)
19.) luv2bowhunt - 07/30/2013
Wow level 3.



20.) Ventilator - 07/30/2013
lol, leave it to you to find that . :hb:
21.) Ventilator - 07/30/2013
anything useful to contribute? as to your per day calorie intake or something?

Maybe your favorite type of peanut butter?
22.) luv2bowhunt - 07/30/2013
I mean, I thought I was doing good at level 2, but 3?


....why do I even bother.
23.) Pa bowhunter - 07/30/2013
I was doing good until work went crazy 10 weeks ago, but plan on getting back in the gym after I get back from Hawaii, and then I will be running 3 miles a day Monday-Friday and lifting Monday-Friday, and my goal is to get back to 6 miles a day where I was four years ago, but with these tinny hills in Pa it probably all for nothing, but I do like to torture myself just for the fun of it..
24.) luv2bowhunt - 07/30/2013
That's why in my first post I said I just stay in 'PA' shape. I'm hunting PA deer not mountain goats in BC.
25.) Ventilator - 07/30/2013
Thats the spirit Pa !!

level 3 , as in 3 of 12,lol.

As for me, no way im gonna run 6 miles a day. My son is going to run cross country again this fall. He is up to 5 miles a day right now. I struggle with two miles! Thats why ive been hiking with the heavy pack. No way i plan to do any running at 10,000 feet! Im hoping I can at least function for 8 days with the low calorie intake that ill have. Probably 1800-2000 per day depending on how much food i pack in.


Its ok tho, if this thread needs to be a joke too, then so be it. :wink:tu:
26.) Pa bowhunter - 07/30/2013
The way my metabolism is these days I would gain five pounds on that trip..:bang::bang:
27.) hoyt_em - 07/31/2013
[QUOTE=luv2bowhunt;6399]I never go on hunting trips, so I just stay in PA shape. I've always been a believer in being healthy, you just feel better that way.

Just follow this advice; stay active, don't watch TV each evening, no computer games, no facebook, [B]no soda[/B], no cigarettes, no 'thirds' at suppertime, no snack before bed, no white bread, no fast food, [B]no beer during the week [/B]and no more than 2 on weekend days, and exercise several times a week.

Do that, and you won't find yourself, killing yourself to get back in shape.[/QUOTE]

Man...sounds like a damn blast to me...
28.) luv2bowhunt - 07/31/2013
It works. Didn't say you'd like it.:wink

Not as effective as being Level 3 certified I know, but I'm a simple man, on simple hunts.
29.) Ventilator - 07/31/2013
[QUOTE=hoyt_em;8863]Man...sounds like a damn blast to me...[/QUOTE]

Well Hoyty, ill have to agree with you on this one! :tu:
30.) Deerminator - 07/31/2013
Dang, and I thought the work started [I]after [/I]ya shot the deer.
31.) luv2bowhunt - 07/31/2013
The great killers of American men are;

Cigarettes
White bread
Beer
Lethargy
Fast food
Overeating


Hey ignore it at your own peril, see if I care.:hb:
32.) Deerminator - 07/31/2013
You forgot marriage
33.) Swamp Fox - 07/31/2013
You and Mayor Bloomberg ought to get together, Luv2...Walk up and down the stairs together, or something...

:-)
34.) luv2bowhunt - 07/31/2013
Shut up tubs. Go dunk your sandwich in a beer and take a nap once you get off facebook and clean out the ash tray.:wave:
35.) bluecat - 07/31/2013
[QUOTE=Deerminator;8869]You forgot marriage[/QUOTE]

Good one Deer man.
36.) Pa bowhunter - 08/01/2013
Beer saved the world:grin::grin:and I'm not giving it up:co:
37.) Swamp Fox - 08/01/2013
I made a weak attempt at it in early July, but I start cutting back on the carbs today. That means only one meal/item per day with carbs in it...If I know they're carbs, and not counting beer...

Or liquor...

If I find out fried chicken has carbs in it, I'm screwed...
38.) Ventilator - 08/01/2013
Im using myfitnesspal on my phone to track carbs and workouts. im netting around 1400 carbs per day for the last week. on workout days, (4xweekly), im taking in around 1900-2000 but still net less than 1400. I thought it would be much higher since i never pay much attention to what i eat. Today ill be doing my 1 hour mtn hike with 50lb pack. Then off three days to shoot fish and drink a beer or 8!
39.) luv2bowhunt - 08/01/2013
Peaches are ripe now, so life is good. Apples are next.

Yum.

I'll let you have fried chicken every other week.:wink
40.) Ventilator - 08/01/2013
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;8901]I made a weak attempt at it in early July, but I start cutting back on the carbs today. That means only one meal/item per day with carbs in it...If I know they're carbs, and not counting beer...

Or liquor...







If I find out fried chicken has carbs in it, I'm screwed...[/QUOTE]


Well, there is always "pooninny pie!" :)

provided you can find the pooninny.
41.) Swamp Fox - 08/02/2013
It's, like, on the aisle with the Miracle Whip, right?
42.) Ventilator - 08/02/2013
Exactly, you just have to explain how good you are at miracle whip and you should be good to go. Peach pooninny pie is probably what you should be on the lookout for. :tu:

Hurry, deer season opens Aug 15, you know how it is then.:wink
43.) Swamp Fox - 08/02/2013
LOL...I luv me some peaches...
44.) Ohbuckhunter - 08/02/2013
What I'm doing I prepare

Eating pizza 5 times a week
Not shooting my bow
Drinking at least 12 beers a day
Riding the quad to check the mail
Got all my trail cams to email me the pics so I don't have to walk at all
45.) hoyt_em - 08/04/2013
Lol...
46.) Ohbuckhunter - 08/05/2013
It's hard work trying to keep this figure I have going for me.
47.) Ventilator - 09/12/2013
OK, well we all know everyone has lost weight and are in tippy top shape for hunting season. Also, im sure everyone can hit the perverbial pie plate at 20yds, EVERY time as well. Elk season is upon us, good buddy Dan-O is sweatin it out in the MT mountains. I leave for the CO backcountry tomorrow. Hopefully all this hard work and pizza eating dedication pays off in the near future!

Good luck!
48.) Swamp Fox - 09/12/2013
What's your daily calorie count going to be?

What's the final weight of your pack (gross)?

Are you hauling camera gear in?

What are the things you had to cut from your pack that you hated to do, and what's in your pack (new gear or something that was a big Aha!) that you think is a big deal (pumped to use it, gonna be helpful, saved you a lot of weight, etc. )?

I didn't notice your water source on the aerial, but then I didn't look very hard.
49.) Ohbuckhunter - 09/12/2013
Take fireball with you. After every 2 hours take a shot
50.) luv2bowhunt - 09/13/2013
Also, make a personal vow to stay off hunting websites, they will just add to your stress Kenny. Stay on the hunt, be the dominant predator, and most importantly, unplug, turn off, and drop out.
51.) bluecat - 09/13/2013
[QUOTE=luv2bowhunt;10678]and most importantly, unplug, turn off, and drop out.[/QUOTE]

Groovy
52.) Ventilator - 09/13/2013
[QUOTE=Swamp Fox;10667]What's your daily calorie count going to be? 2500 ,consisting of a Cliff bar for breakfast, peanut butter bacon & honey sandwich at lunch, and Mtn house each night. May end up eating extra Cliff bar in the afternoon.

What's the final weight of your pack (gross)? Pack is 56lbs going in with food , hammock, shelter & sleeping bag. Also taking my new 2lb Helinox camp chair.

Are you hauling camera gear in? Not me personally. My good buddy Scott will be handling those chores. He is 29 and in great condition. Hopefully , i will get to use his services as a meat hauling pack mule. lol

What are the things you had to cut from your pack that you hated to do, and what's in your pack (new gear or something that was a big Aha!) that you think is a big deal (pumped to use it, gonna be helpful, saved you a lot of weight, etc. )? I have a Katadyne Water filter bottle with a filter cartridge im looking forward to using. Also the Helinox camp chair is gonna be the bomb!

I did find a company called T. A. G. S. that makes meat bags. I bought there BOMB kit. (Boned Out Meat Bag). If i get to use it, that means a critter is Dead and ill be stoked!

I didn't notice your water source on the aerial, but then I didn't look very hard.
We are spike camping at a small spring head. Not visible on the map but i am assured it does exist. Elk frequent the spot as well. Could find them near camp or if not, we will cover 5-7 miles per day im sure.
[/QUOTE]

I wanted the camera guy on this trip as much for personal reasons as any other. This will be my first time doing a hunt like this without a guide or outfitter on public ground. Im sure its going to be mentally and physically difficult. If i am successfull, i want to preserve all the memories i can. I hope it will also be interesting enough for people to follow along after it gets documented on tape. At the very least, i will be able to experience the hunt again from my living room any time i want to.
53.) Swamp Fox - 09/13/2013
:tu:

Good luck! Sounds like a blast.

If Reel Shot is smart, they'll make a WHOLE show out of it whether you get an elk or not.

:beer:
54.) Ventilator - 09/13/2013
Yeah that's what I'm saying too. I'm not that pleased with this weeks Nebraska episode. Left out a lot of good stuff.
55.) Swamp Fox - 09/13/2013
Not the least of which was anything about Nebraska in the title or description, LOL.

I almost erased it without watching when I saw it on my playlist.
56.) Ventilator - 09/13/2013
They make sure to leave my hunts out of all descriptions. lol

Canada bear hunt from this spring airs 9/23. Should hopefully be better.
57.) calvin94 - 09/17/2013
I am trying out the new workout program this year for hunting...
1 walk out to the honda recon to make sure there is plenty of gas and oil
2 hop on and fire it up
3 enforce the death grip before hammering it
4 ride the sucker clear to my stand and dismount
5 climb my ladder stand and wait for a Horn Donkey,slick head or herd
58.) Albertabowhunter - 10/03/2013
Without actually reading all the way through all of this, here is what i did this year to ready myself for the season. In May I signed up for the Spartan Race. (spartanrace.com) I triained fo rhtis, trying to run 4-6Km/2-4miles) every other day. I also used the Bowflex tread climber and the weight system. I went from drinking pop to more water and juices. In July, I ran the race which gave me an idea of how my progress was going. I did my best to continue, but the motivation now that the race was over, dwindled. I began to shoot my bow as often as possible. Although I get a whopping 18 yards form corner to corner in the yard. When I did make it out for my Elk hunt, I felt competent i was close to the shape i needed to be, and was happy I was able to hunt the entire week, up and down the hills with no issues.

Might I add, If i could make a recommendation on boots, Honestly, try out the under armor speed freaks. The Best hunting boot I have ever worn. Comfortable, breathable and light wieght. solid grip, and s a scent containment system.


As for back packs, I have a Badlands OX for hauling out game and extended hunts. I have a Eberlestock X1A1 day pack. and then a whitewater outdoors pack, which, i feel is basically a treestand/short term hunting pack. Its big enough to hold a a few drinks, snacks, camera, some calls and maybe an extra layer.

I purchased the Badlands OX a couple years ago for a jet boat in Elk hunt. Unfortunatley, I have yet to use it for the purpose it was intended for and thats to haul out game. The light weigh aluminum rack system combined with the shoulder and waist straps look rugged enough to carry out large loads comfortably. As for room in the bag section, I think its almost large enough to pack all your necessary hunting gear and extras for an extended back country hunt.

I recently bought the Eberlestock pack just before this years elk trip, It has the capability of carrying your bow strapped to the back of it, and as well has a gun scabbard built in if one requires. This pack worked out nicely and is very quiet when going through the heavier timber. It has plenty of room for what ever you need and could pretty much be used for an overnight trip if you pack properly.
59.) Ventilator - 10/04/2013
How waterproof were the speed freaks? Ive been looking at them. This year i wore Danner GTX Blades. They did very well, but not nearly as light as the SFs.
60.) Albertabowhunter - 10/05/2013
walked right through a creek, no water got in at all. Also wore them yesterday hunting mulies..... everything was soaked from the frost, everything was wet... after 4 hours, still not a drop inside, and still comfortable. I'm thinking as long as you don't go deeper than t the top of the boots, you will do just fine. I've been wearing the Merino wool socks from Cableas in them, or the Red head gear ones (yellow) from Bass pro. seems to do just perfect.
61.) Ventilator - 10/06/2013
Thx. Sounds good!