Physical training for humans, for hound hunting

[happydog]

This questions came in mind b/c of two topics. What we use for hunting ie trucks, horses,BOOTS. How much guys accually hunt. We all talk about hound conditioning, but never hear about our conditioning. My dogs bayed up in a hole some time back and I hiked in, it was real steep got down there, dogs had moved, had too crawl back out and start over again (common story). My ass was baraly moveing that day.
When watching the deer hunting shows they always talk about pre hunting training. For guys who rigs we sit on our ass & then its go,go,go time. We always see on hound hunting videos some out of shape guy being guided huffing & puffing under the tree & we all know how hard it was too get there, at the start of the season I sometimes think thats me.

Heres my question: Do any of you guys jog, hike or anything else to get in shape for your hound hunting season?

[Brady Davis]

I have been running for awhile now. I used to drink Mt Dew by the truckload and everytime I go hunting, even coon hunting, I would wanna die

I quit pop, run a few miles everyday and my heck i feel better...way better. I'm confident I can hang on any hunt a foot. I think it's a great idea to get in shape....heaven only knows we walk plenty chasing our dogs!

[nmplott]

swimming, biking and some moderate weight bearing excersize.

[BigGameHunter]

I usually run about 5 miles 3 days a week (not specifically for hound hunting) and some weight training on the side. It helps enormously on those long hikes back in the middle of that hell hole every state seems to have.....

[houndnhorse]

Well I loaded, unloaded and stacked 17 tons of hay in the barn this past weekend. I think I'm a little stronger than when I started, but it won't take me long to get back to normal.

[LCK]

I feed a mule. I lift the hay over the fence, he gets me over the next ridge LOL. Seems to work pretty good!

[Ike]

roflmao at LCK, so where does ol' Ike find a mule? Good answer!

This old fart still gets on the treadmill a few times a week, walks at work some and chases those hounds year round. I can remember being unhappy when the dogs didn't tree years back but now days maybe it's a blessing?

ike

[yeager]

I run 3 miles a day, not only for hunting but to release stress and stay healthy; The food intake does help...

[walkersrule]

this summer i was fighting forest fire in oregon packing a power saw everywhere i went and it seemed to help out alot when it came time to do some hunting. that will get you in shape in a hurry.

[Mike Leonard]

Incline training is probably the best form of physical excercise you can do as far helping you make those trees and back to the truck. Even walking at a moderate 3MPH at a 12 degree incline produces they same aerobic benifits as running 6 MPH and with reduces stress on joints.

Nordic Trac makes a fantastic incline product and it really will make a difference.

I do a lot of physical work around the place. Anything from hauling hay, to shoeing horse to riding colts is good but it doesn't give you the sustrained aerobic conditioning that will really assist you when you have to dive off into those canyons after those hounds. Remember altitude has a lot to do with it as well when you get up high. So get that old ticker to pumping hard and working for 20 minutes or more at least 3 times a week and you will be a lot happier and so will your dogs when they see your smiling face as you walk up to the tree.

[Bticked]

Well I think I do enough 12 oz curls throughout the year that every time my dog barks I question just why the hell do I follow them up and down the mountains. Keeps me mentally tough though lol.
But getting in shape is a great idea and I can use more of it, oh thats what dogs are for, getting in shape! You never see fat dogs chasing fat deer!

Ryan

[Ankle Express]

Well let me put it this way: If you or anybody for that matter ever and I do mean "EVER" see me out running down the street, then by all means PLEASE stop and pick me up. Its bad, real dang bad. Something or somebody is chasing me and I'm trying to avoid being captured!

On a more serious note I do have a second job in the evenings that keeps me young and hopping. Makes for long mornings but I test born-on dates for Budweiser in the evenings and on weekends. The pay isn't that good but the reward and benefit of being able to hang like a professional during hunting season is priceless. Leaves the Rookies bewildered and hung over. Evens the playing field so to speak. Nobody to outrun or impress on the trail when they are all piled up in the truck or camp rubbing their sore head, trying to decide if they are going to live from the night before. Separates the rookies and wanna-bes from the lifers right off.

[Brady Davis]

Well let me put it this way: If you or anybody for that matter ever and I do mean "EVER" see me out running down the street, then by all means PLEASE stop and pick me up. Its bad, real dang bad. Something or somebody is chasing me and I'm trying to avoid being captured!

On a more serious note I do have a second job in the evenings that keeps me young and hopping. Makes for long mornings but I test born-on dates for Budweiser in the evenings and on weekends. The pay isn't that good but the reward and benefit of being able to hang like a professional during hunting season is priceless. Leaves the Rookies bewildered and hung over. Evens the playing field so to speak. Nobody to outrun or impress on the trail when they are all piled up in the truck or camp rubbing their sore head, trying to decide if they are going to live from the night before. Separates the rookies and wanna-bes from the lifers right off.

THATS IS SOME FUNNY STUFF My wife and I are laughing ourselves sick. I like your take on running...

[Bticked]

LOL! Ankle Express, wish we could go huntin sometime I think it would be fun!

Ryan

[Ankle Express]

Find one of us a ride (DD) and we'll do this B-ticked! Might could get Doogie to bring you over? You might need somebody else to get you both back though once he gets off the wagon.