Before I go any further let me say right here that I am not referring to those with physical or mental handicaps or impairments in any way, unless you include being addicted to the couch or the local buffet as a handicap. I have heard it put this way. You don't see wild animals that are fat and out of shape just like you wouldn't see a fat, out of shape cave man. To quickly refer back to the title of this post, the game which we pursue depends on its ability to stay fit in order to survive in its environment. When we do not strive to maintain our own fitness, in my opinion, it is an egregious insult to the animal and our hunting heritage.
To be clear I don't want to imply that every jim bob, bubba, and weekend warrior out there should make having 6 pack abs part of their hunting season to do list. But I think we can all benefit from not only some "hunter oriented" exercise but also a proper diet. The thing about hobbies and pursuits like hunting is that they should ideally improve our lives whether through making us happy, giving us a sense of fulfillment, etc. But why can't our passion for hunting also benefit our health? Walking, light jogging, even just stretching are exercises and activities that not only improve our health but benefit us when we are hunting. For those of you that are bow hunters you especially know the benefits of staying in shape. For most of us pulling back a bow with a 70 pound draw weight takes a little practice. Beyond practicing shooting the bow itself there are many flexibility and weightlifting exercises that can help every archer. It is not just archers. Think of some of the most successful "hunters" the world has ever seen. I am talking about the men who serve or have served as US military snipers. As a member of the military myself, I can tell you that those men are some of the most physically fit individuals in the world. Their job, their lives, their ability to slow their heart rate before they pull that trigger all counts on how well they maintain their bodies.
The next point some may bring up is that being physically fit is all well and good but when hunting many species of game we are always at a physical disadvantage, so we have superior weapons to make up for the disadvantages and that being in good physical shape really isn't necessary. I feel that this is scratching the surface of a much bigger issue than just hunter fitness. This is venturing into the philosophical and ethical aspects of hunting. But for the sake of the topic at hand my rebuttal would be that yes there are many times when we as humans are at a disadvantage when hunting certain animals. However the greatest tool we have is not our physique, nor our weapons, but our minds. The most successful hunter, and the most dangerous prey in the entire world are humans solely because of our capacity for complex thought which allows us to develop tactics, strategy, and even predict our prey and our pursuers actions. The combination of a sharp mind and a healthy body is what makes a great hunter. His weapon is merely an inanimate tool; a device which augments his already present strengths.
Let's talk practically about this. The benefits of exercising as an outdoorsman is three fold. Not only does it benefit your health and make you a better hunter, but it also will save you some money. A great example of the latter is many hunters are leery of hunting on public land because access is often little to none. Besides unfamiliar with the land which can be conquered through a bit of research and scouting, the main thing holding most hunters back is their fitness. Traversing rough terrain can be a daunting task for any hunter especially those who have to carry all that expensive gear and a "spare tire" around their waste. Hunting public land can not only give you access to pristine hunting land, but its cheap. Ask anyone who has paid a premium price for a private lease with good access.
So after all of this preaching to you about the importance of fitness as hunters you may be thinking why am I so adamant about this and how would one begin to start a "hunter geared" fitness routine. Well currently serving active duty in military has made me realize how exercising and eating healthy affect not only my job but really every aspect of my life. In the past four months through a strict diet (search Paleo diet for more information) and rigorous exercise routine I have lost 40 pounds and am now in the best shape of my life. I can't wait to hit the woods this fall with my "new" body and the confident feeling that I can take on any hill or holler to catch my prey.
(Picture of me with a Kentucky Whitetail. This was me when I weighed nearly 60 pounds heavier )
If you are serious about being a fit hunter the first step is to put words into action. Start out slow and don't expect instant results. The best types of exercise for hunters is mainly going to be a good deal of aerobic exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming, riding a bike. But if you are like me walking on a tread mill or in a circle is no fun at all. Make it fun! Walk in the woods, or do a trail run. Besides aerobic exercise flexibility is very important. Being flexible will help you crawl that extra 100 yards to get into position for a shot, or sit perfectly still while you are waiting for that big tom turkey to close the distance. And last anaerobic or strength training can also be added to a hunter's workout routine. But don't focus on weightlifting. Lifting weights has many benefits but it can work against your flexibility. Instead try pushups, crunches, sit ups and a lot of core workouts. And please remember I am not a professional trainer and please ask your doctor before trying any strenuous exercise.
We not only owe it to the animals we pursue to stay fit, but we also owe it to ourselves and to our families to stay healthy for a better, longer life.
