Getting in sheep hunt shape?

DXHI

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Joined
Mar 19, 2015
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290
Thought about placing this in the physical training section, but ultimately decided I wanted to focus on exercises and movements specific to sheep.
I'm very much a flat lander and now after 4 years of overnights, over working and fast food...I'm in the worst shape I've ever been and most overweight.

I realize sheep hunting is a young man's game and I'm going the opposite way... so my goal is to start this year training, and start applying for tags next year
 
My situation is different as I live in NWMT.But you have one most important things a goal.Im mid 50's but small things I do grab shovel instead of snow blower,trot to barn instead of walk.I like hiking and its one best things,uneven ground,makes your feet tough.So I fit in some horn hunting,spring bear,archery,etc.Im a GC but I do alot myself ,frame in bags up down ladders,etc.Find a motivator like your quest for sheep.Nothing like running the high country for the mind.My kids youth and energy motivate me.As you progress your going to need obvious type stuff,stair stepper,weight on back etc.as you gain it back
WP casc.JPG
 
I try to do a sheep hunt every summer and i have found that by far the best way to train for a sheep hunt is to hike with actual real weight on your back. All the cardio in the world cant prepare you for the extra weight and terrain. best thing i got was the outdoorsmans pack with a weight post on it you can attach weight lifting plates onto it and then get on a stair stepper (not elliptical) and climb steps with weight as often as you can on top of your regular workout routine.
 
My situation is different as I live in NWMT.But you have one most important things a goal.Im mid 50's but small things I do grab shovel instead of snow blower,trot to barn instead of walk.I like hiking and its one best things,uneven ground,makes your feet tough.So I fit in some horn hunting,spring bear,archery,etc.Im a GC but I do alot myself ,frame in bags up down ladders,etc.Find a motivator like your quest for sheep.Nothing like running the high country for the mind.My kids youth and energy motivate me.As you progress your going to need obvious type stuff,stair stepper,weight on back etc.as you gain it backView attachment 118697
Looking young and good for a 50 year old!
 
Ha, ha should have added thats my son,showing terrain we hunt.He is now 24.He also gets all my hand me downs heh
 
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DT Jr hit the nail on the head. I slowly ramped up training over a 2 year period after booking a 2018 hunt back in 2016, and by late Spring of 2018 I was in the gym 5 days per week lifting weights, squats, and doing the stair stepper, hiking stairwells (with my pack and boots on) weekends.....when it came time to the hunt, I WAS as lean, strong, and fit as I have been since high school, BUT, the wobbling/shifting rocks and a truly full pack was a humbling combo.
 
Apply for the sheep anyway this year...I started apps when I was in my late 20s...I'm in my early 40s and I've drawn a desert sheep--still waiting on that rocky...I travel consistently 3-4 days a week...I take the stairs--try to walk everyday. Go to the gym 3 days a week...still kicks my butt when I get into the mountains...
 
simply to lose weight cut out the white stuff (salt, sugar, flour, white bread, pasta potatoes, rice) and anything processed (fast food), portion control when eating is key when over 50, pretty simple really.....add water lots of water !

for conditioning, Start slow and work your way up, every other day for a week then increase to daily if you feel good, walk for 5 min run for 30 sec do this for 30-45-60 min a day depending on how you feel, then increase if you feel good ( watch your knees if your overweight )
then if your wind is there and no terrible knee pain start running for a min every 5 min,

then if feeling good alternate days walking 30min/running 5 min with hiking with your backpack on, as the weight comes off your body add the weight to the pack, typical pack weight for sheep hunting is 55-70 lbs depending on days afield and creature comforts, end up walking different terrain, especially uphill with your pack weight, get used to hiking with walking sticks, they are a pain to start with but a god sent in steep uneven terrain

good luck and have fun hunting with your son, slow and steady wins the race sheep hunting

Im living proof that you can hunt sheep at over 50 and still be chubby !

 
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The best training for me was just slowly increasing the load in my backpack while climbing a ski slope. Any set of stairs such as a high school football stadium or similar would work nearly as well. Remember, slow and steady wins the race :)
 
simply to lose weight cut out the white stuff (salt, sugar, flour, white bread, pasta potatoes, rice) and anything processed (fast food), portion control when eating is key when over 50, pretty simple really.....add water lots of water !

for conditioning, Start slow and work your way up, every other day for a week then increase to daily if you feel good, walk for 5 min run for 30 sec do this for 30-45-60 min a day depending on how you feel, then increase if you feel good ( watch your knees if your overweight )
then if your wind is there and no terrible knee pain start running for a min every 5 min,

then if feeling good alternate days walking 30min/running 5 min with hiking with your backpack on, as the weight comes off your body add the weight to the pack, typical pack weight for sheep hunting is 55-70 lbs depending on days afield and creature comforts, end up walking different terrain, especially uphill with your pack weight, get used to hiking with walking sticks, they are a pain to start with but a god sent in steep uneven terrain

good luck and have fun hunting with your son, slow and steady wins the race sheep hunting

Im living proof that you can hunt sheep at over 50 and still be chubby !

After cutting all that, what's left to eat?. you just mentioned all my my favorites.
 
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