Pre-hunt Preparation: Some Hidden Benefits of Fitness Preparation
As many of my close friends and hunting associates know, I tend to put a great deal of energy toward preparing for my hunts. Some might call it an obsession but I like to think of it as working to eliminate some variables and being better prepared. This includes general planning, research, scouting, equipment preparation, and fitness considerations. After all, planning and preparing for the hunt is a very exciting component of the total experience! Some hunts admittedly require very little preplanning while others require a bit more. Recently, I have been mentally juggling plans for a few upcoming hunts that have been requiring some consideration and preparation beyond the routine. These include a trip to Tanzania for buffalo in 2011, a do-it-yourself hunt for tahr and chamois in New Zealand during 2012, and some initial planning for elephant hunting in 2013. A friend recently was commenting on my Tanzania preparation. This has included copious amounts of bi-weekly double rifle practice over the past few months which will continue until July 2011. I have also been working to break-in some lightweight boots and getting a second double rifle’s issues squared away with the help of my gunsmith for the same trip. During the same conversation a discussion about my anticipated mountain rifle build for the New Zealand South Island hunt and my day and night mountain hiking regime was on the menu. The need for a light weight rifle on a DIY hunt in New Zealand is self-explanatory. Fitness preparation such as hiking holds benefits that are not always immediately considered. There are several added benefits to be gained through the pre-hunt fitness component besides strengthening overall fitness. For me it is also a great opportunity to test items such as my general equipment, accessories, and clothing choices. A great deal of hunting is mental so the more prepared you are for the adventure the better! I like to begin my preparations well in advance so I can utilize and test equipment in environmental conditions as close to what I might expect to experience at my destination. Using New Zealand as an example, testing my equipment considerations and options in Northern California during November, December, and January is very helpful. For me, there is no better test than to hike late afternoon and at night in the rain utilizing my headlamp, with a full pack load, supporting equipment, and selected clothing to see if my choices are close to the mark. Having enough time to test and modify equipment selections is a component of my pre-hunt planning. Here are just a few things that you might want to wring-out during your pre-hunt fitness regime: -Thermal Bottom Weight Preferences for both Ascent and Hunting -Pant Selections for both Ascent and Hunting -Thermal Top Weight and Style for both Ascent and Hunting (consider venting options) -Additional Insulation Layering Options -Head Cover Considerations -Headlamp Functionality and Effectiveness in Inclement Weather -Water Bladder Performance and Capacity -Familiarization with Hiking Poles -GPS and Satellite Phone Refresher For those interested in testing additional equipment and skills during their fitness regime it is easy to throw in your tent or other items just for grins. Taking the time to pitch your tent at the end of one of your mountain hikes at night in the rain with your headlamp is a great way to build confidence. You might discover the need to revise how you set-up your pack so you can get to that tent without your sleeping bag or other items possibly getting wet. After setting up the tent perhaps throwing up the backpacking stove and making a hot cup of tea would be a consideration before breaking down the tent and heading home. Testing equipment during your exercise regime could help to make you better prepared for those uncomfortable or unexpected situations that can and do occur.
