Elk hunting is like a doing a 10k or half marathon EVERY day for a 5-7 days. I am sure most of you hike 6+ miles each day hunting. I know I do 3 in the morning and 3 again in the evening on an easy day - and that's with a 15#ish pack and much of it up a steep incline! To say we do 13.2 miles on some days is not a stretch. Plus some of you sleep on the ground many nights in a row.
Makes me wonder why the thought of running a 10k or half marathon sounds so intimidating! The 10k has a cheering crowd, free refreshments along the way, and an awesome food/drink tent at the end with a message table! Not to mention the view from the back is sometimes motivational.
Anyone else more initimated by the thought of participating in a 10k every day for 7 days than a week of elk hunting?
Running is easy compared to elk hunting.
you dont have to be a runner to be an effective elk hunter but you do need to have power and stamina in your legs plus the one main factor that drives the whole thing: Desire. me wanting to kill an elk keeps one foot going in front of the other more than anything. be in as good a shape as you can but your desire is important too.
I shoot for an hour a day of cardio when I am getting ready for a hunt in the mountains and I do that for at least a month.
I respectfully disagree:
1. I firmly believe we rarely cover even half the distance we think we do on our hunts.
2. Running is great conditioning. Fast hiking is great conditioning. But the best conditioning is hiking trails and/or bushwhacking in the high mountains with a daypack and a bow slung over your shoulder.
3. If you can, run and/or hike all year. If you can, a month before your hunt, train the way you'll hunt: High country, trails, bushwacking, daypack, boots, and a bow.
Nothing will train you for elk hunting, like elk hunting.
I did two trips this year to WY for elk. The first trip was 2 half days and 6 full days, and we walked a GPS recorded 48 miles, and 11,800 feet of elevation gain.
My second trip was solo for 2 half days and 4 full days, and I walked a GPS recorded 30 miles, and 8,900 feet of elevation gain.
Honestly, I got along so much better with the elk hunting than with marathon training. It's not even comparable. Yes, some of the hills while elk hunting were killers (especially if not chasing a bugle), but I would stop, catch my breath, then keep going. No real soreness to speak about, or over-fatigue
Bake
running is non-stop
But it's harder to run a half marathon than hunt elk if you've only been training for elk hunting.
The daily distance might be the same but they are a different way of using the muscles. So train for what you are going to do.
Very few.
Which is just one more reason guys should watch the Sheep Shape Bowsite Feature.
Adapting to high altitude is an important part of the seminar.
Kyle
this^^^^ hate running, enjoy training hiking... love elk hunting!
In 2013 I was training for a personal best in marathon. During the heart of training, I ran 6 days a week with no run less than 10 miles over a 2 month stretch. A daily run of 12 miles was no big deal.
This year, by the end of a tough elk hunting day I was tired. I felt like I ran a marathon and then some. But that is the way it is. It took me 20 minutes of stumbling around in the morning darkness to loosen up and get moving again from being stiff and sore. But I wouldn't change anything about it.
I do everything I can on the flatlands to prepare. But as Brad stated, nothing I do is the same as elk hunting itself.
Back on topic. For me, I guess each is hard in their own unique way. Can't say one is easier than another.
If I knew I might have a chance for a shot at a bull at the finish line....I'll put on the shoes and shorts and pin a number on my back!
That was last year. This year (I now live in WA), we went elk hunting for two weeks in Wyoming and killed two bulls. They both told me it was the hardest hunt they've ever been on, harder than our sheep hunt in AK last year!
Point is, elk hunting is HARD work!
I can get away with running once or twice a week on the beach. Much better on the knees (and the scenery not to bad...) Other than that I ride the bike and hike the mountain. Pretty much hunt every week.
Marathons..... why? =D
Running a race does not allow one to stop along the way so you are on the go from start to finish.
While hunting, one can gather thoughts, take a drink, as well as a pause and rest if needed. Even a nap.
I will take elk hunting over running any day. I have never had to run after an elk while hunting.
I use to run and jog with I was younger, but now I do some speed walking and leg conditioning and I do just fine.
My best, Paul
You're expected to run the latter!
I can elk hunt all day. I bet I could keep up with Kyle as long as he kept one foot on the ground at all times. If he started running, he'd lose me as soon as he got out of 8x42 range.
The wind shifts. The bull spooks. His bugles are gone. The slope is treacherous. The downfall is hindering. The bull is gone. His bugling has departed. My vision of him has faded and so has my ability to sprint up the mountain and pass dead fall lumber like a track athlete jumping hurdles.
Very few 10k's if any have an elevation gain of 1000--2000ft gain, you stop and glass a lot while elk hunting not during a 10k, not much in rocks or deadfall during a 10k.....and so forth.
Although during a 10k you can get lost in thoughts about elk hunting! haha
Good luck, Robb
Ive hunted and hauled elk out of the baddest of the bad hunting spots and never found it to be THAT bad. If it is, you need to slow down or you are in over your head.
Elk hunting isn't the over the top cardio event that some make it out to be.
As far as running....I know it is good for many but it is not good for me. Arthritis doesn't like the pounding. For me...low impact cardio (a lot of it), lifting, weight control and good old weighted hikes is the key.
True for most.
"Running may be a good cardio exercise, but it's terrible for ankles, knees and back."
Totally disagree. I worked at a running specialty store for two years and I had the opportunity to talk with literally thousands of runners. People that started off like the first quote almost always ended their running careers with an injury. Six miles doesn't sound like a lot at first, but it is. People that started slowly and slowly worked their way into more mileage and intensity did really well. I met a lot of people in their 70's and 80's that still run every day. Running can actually keep you very healthy you just have to be smart.
The simplicity of running belies how hard it is on your body. If you just started weight lifting you wouldn't (or shouldn't) go for your single rep, max weight squat on your first day. Running is no different.
I agree with a lot of the above thoughts. Running isn't the ideal exercise for elk hunting, but for me it builds endurance like nothing else. Trail running with elevation gain is even better for elk hunting.
It's not the only answer though. I mix in weight lifting, swimming and biking for overall conditioning. Once summer comes around I spend more time hiking the foothills with a loaded pack.
As far as why?? I do it to test my limits. 10 years ago I was 50lb heavier and started running, I could only do a half mile at a time before I needed to walk. I thought I could never do a 5 mile run back then, let alone a marathon. It's great heading into the mountains after you've run 26 miles and know you can push through the pain. It makes hiking 5-10 miles a day during your elk hunt much easier.
Total myth and actually the opposite it true. How could running be hard on your joints but hiking on uneven terrain with a weighted pack not be? lol!
Running is not for everyone. Especially if you are overweight. Getting your weight down and a slow progression into a running program will help PREVENT all kinds of joint problems, including arthritus. If you already have joint problems, then running is most likely not for you.
"Running gets a bad rap, but running can strengthen the knee, and those who run throughout their lives have stronger knees than those who don't," according to physical therapist Michael Silverman, P.T., M.S.P.T., coordinator of the Tisch Performance Center at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
The largest study of runners ever completed, which was recently published in Medicine Science in Sports & Exercise, concluded that running does not increase the risk of osteoarthritis (cartilage breakdown), even in marathoners. And, get this: Runners had half the incidence of knee osteoarthritis compared to walkers.
The reason: "Running has been shown to thicken the cartilage in your knee," says Jason Fitzgerald, a USA Track & Field-certified coach and the founder of Strength Running. "The body adapts to running and gets stronger, after all. And since running doesn't involve excessive bending of the knee nor much twisting or turning, it's a very safe form of exercise for knees." Plus, high-impact exercises like running spur bone growth and strengthen the muscles around the knee, thereby taking pressure off the joint, Silverman says."
Running is way harder on your body than hiking. Even if you are carrying a heavy pack.
Unless you have run a full marathon, you can't understand what the prize is. It's simply an incredible experience.
I have only done one elk hunt and I did not fill my tag. But it was an incredible experience nonetheless.
The training time required to be successful in a marathon is massive. You can't buy or draw better chances at completing a marathon.
Training for 10 mile and half marathon have far less impact on my body and has had almost the same positive effect on my hiking ability. I really like those distances.
I appreciate you describing it the best you can since I'll never experience it!
When hunting in the mountains do I face more challenges? Yes, elevation gains, extra weight carried, higher altitude, etc. But, you're going at a reasonable pace, can take breaks, and overall know you are in it for the long haul. I've had my pack loaded down and had to climb some big hills. I bet my max HR was even higher than my half marathon max!
Either way, the better shape you are in before you head into the mountains the better you will do. I run and mtn. bike year round. When I'm in top shape the mountain hunting is easy. And, if I'm not in good shape, the mountains hurt. I don't care how you prepare, just do something. A month ahead of time doesn't cut it for me but each to their own.
Not everyone has the same body type, anatomy, physiology and/or orthopedic status.
I was a runner in H.S. and college. Was a sprinter/hurdler but did a lot of distance running in the off-season and pre-season to get in shape and ran x-country in H.S.
Over the years I ran as part of my cardio training. Never had any major injuries or orthopedic issues until I hit my mid-thirties. Developed patellar tendinitis. Got so bad I pretty much gave up running after several years of trying to get back into it slowly and methodically.(tried everything- rest, ice, massage, ultra-sound etc.........) Just couldn't take the pounding of running. Could do stairmaster, walking on TM at 4mph and 15% grade, cycling, Olympic rowing etc.......just couldn't run on it.
A couple years ago I was able to start running again, but can't do more than 3 miles a couple times a week or the tendinitis flares up. I've learned to live with it and resigned myself to the fact that I will never get back to running 20-30 miles /wk.
But I can hike all day for several days with a 50 lb backpack. Seems to be the jarring that gets the patellar tendon.
Bottom line is everyone is different. I know distance runners that can't carry 30 lb packs more than a couple miles.
If I knew I might have a chance for a shot at a bull at the finish line....I'll put on the shoes and shorts and pin a number on my back!
It is like saying you can benchpress 100 pounds 10 times therefore you can also bench press 1000 pounds once.
I strongly prefer biking it is much easier on your body.
That said I think running plays a role although I still think biking is better long-term. I also think it helps with mental toughness. Getting yourself ready to go out and run 15 miles for 2 1/2 to 3 hours straight is not for the weak hearted!
