Life at High Altitude Train to Hunt
There are a lot of things you won’t be able to do: in pre hunt preparation, when you’re planning a trip to the West. Putting boots to the ground prior to a hunt for most people is out of the question, as 2000 miles for a scouting trip could be considered pretty extreme. There are other tools to help figure out what to expect if you have never been to an area before: Google Earth, forums, talking with parks and wildlife officers, and establishing the gear needed to accomplish your goals. While all of these things are a must, they are not nearly as important as getting off the couch and getting into the gym. Establish a routine- I see guys come into the gym and kind of waltz around from machine to machine with no set plan. With all due respect: don’t be a victim of ignorance. It’s tough to get started on a routine, especially if this is your first go around with a training regimen. There are a lot of websites you can go to www.livestrong.com, www.rockymountainathlete.com, or www.crossfit.com that have workout
plans already there, ripe for the picking. Once you find one that fits your needs, print it out and use it as a benchmark. Bring a notebook with you and write down your weights so the next time you come in you aren’t
By Cody Covey
two before your planned hunt and use that as a milestone along the way. Last year I did a Tough Mudder in Beaver Creek, Colorado which forced me to keep up with my routine. There were times along the
Squats are best served with free weights, but in a pinch a Smith Machine will do.
wasting your sets. Set a long term goal- I know that training to hunt may not appeal to a lot of people, and most people, including myself, need a little push. Find an event that falls a month or
Pakesso Guide Service
way when I would say, “elk season is still 5 months out and-I can get into shape a couple months before”. The only thing this mindset does for a person like me is enable them, which
of a certain weight on 3 or 4 different exercises. Try to be reasonable with these as it can be frustrating when you stop meeting them. Find a friend- everything is easier and a lot more fun if you have someone to do it with. I am fortunate enough to have a girlfriend that stays in good shape year around which gives me the perfect training partner. Not only does she help me get off my butt and into the gym but she’s also a big help when it comes to diet as she does most of the grocery shopping. There are days where you may say “I’ll just work out tomorrow.” On days like these your training partner may be able to give you that little push that changes your mind. The creatures you choose to chase are in optimum shape year around, live at altitude, don’t drink, don’t smoke, and only eat to live. Getting an edge on these critters is no easy task and isn’t for the faint of heart. Having all that pre-hunt training could end up paying dividends when you’re in the woods and it’s time to go meat mode.
Salmon, Trout, Bass Fly fishing, trolling, spinning 40 plus years experience Full or half days Master Registered Maine Guide
in turn would make my hunt harder down the road. Set short term goals- These can be as easy or as hard as your make them, as they are personal goals and only you know when you beat them. This could be as simple as running a mile with no breaks, or lifting 10 reps
Master Maine Guide Tom Rideout
Offering Western Maine
207-486-9308
or visit our website at
Continued next page
R i c h a rd Tr e m a i n e Optician
www.pakessoguideservice.com
Page 6
Workout 1: I use something similar to this for 6-8 weeks before switching to another workout. I would suggest pulling a couple exercises from each day as a starting point and work your way up to the complete regimen. The idea is to
Quality Eyewear
Locally owned and operated
603-752-3382 M-F 9-5• Fri 9-6 Sat. am by appt.
148 Main Street • Berlin, NH 03570
March 2013
The Outdoor Gazette