Tag Page ElkHunting

#ElkHunting
lolson

My first public elk hunt nearly killed me

Last September I thought I was ready for my first public land elk hunt. Day 3, I'm gasping for air at 9,000 feet with a 60-pound pack, wondering why I skipped leg day all summer. That's when reality hit - elk hunting is brutal. Here's what I wish I'd known before heading into the mountains: - You need to hike 10+ miles daily with gear - Expect 1,000+ foot climbs through rocks and deadfall - If successful, you're packing out 300 pounds of meat - Most public elk have escape plans by opening day My training mistakes: 1️⃣ Cardio base - Should've been walking 4+ miles daily with a weighted pack months before 2️⃣ Leg strength - Squats, lunges, stair climber - your legs carry you to elk and back 3️⃣ Upper body - You'll be clawing up canyons and hopefully breaking down an elk Essential prep: - Get medical clearance before training - Scout your unit in summer if possible - Test ALL gear before the hunt - Have backup navigation tools The mountains don't care about your ego. Start training now or pay the price later. What's your biggest elk hunting preparation lesson? #hunting #ElkHunting #PublicLandHunting

My first public elk hunt nearly killed me