HOW TO GET PHYSICALLY FIT FOR YOUR HUNT

Let's be honest: most people don't train unless given a reason. And I'm fine with that. Whether it's a Spartan Race, a 10K, or a backcountry deer hunt, the excuse is the same: it's a goal, and that goal puts boots on pavement. For many in our circle, getting drawn for a hunt finally flips the switch. So, if you need a reason to train, let your hunt be it. Your knees, lungs, and lower back will thank you when you're halfway up the hill with a quartered elk on your back.

HOW WE DID IT IN THE MILITARY

Before every combat deployment, we'd run through a pre-deployment workup—a system designed to prepare the mind, the gear, the rifle, and the body. The body part? That meant one thing: Hiking. A lot of it.

Running had its place, too, but the cornerstone of physical prep was always putting on your kit and getting miles in under weight. Why? Because the mission wasn't on flat sidewalks and cardio machines. And neither is your hunt.

START SMALL – START NOW

You don't need to go full "ruck warrior" on Day One. Start simple:

• Walk the dog

• Get on the treadmill while you're on a call

• Knock out a mile or two without worrying about time

Then start turning up the heat:

• Add incline on the treadmill (3.0 MPH at 5.0 incline is a solid goal)

• Pick up the pace outside to 3.5+ MPH

• Find terrain similar to where you're hunting—think elevation, not just distance

Your legs don't care if you're walking with purpose or just looping the block—they care if you do it consistently.

ADD THE PACK – YOUR ACTUAL PACK

Once you've established a routine, throw on your hunting backpack. Not a gym pack. The pack you'll be using in the field. There's value in feeling the straps dig in, learning how it shifts, and seeing how your gear rides when you're actually moving.

Then begin loading it:

• Start with 10-15 lbs

• Add 5–10 lbs every few hikes

• Work up to 40–50 lbs minimum—because let's be real, you're not hiking out empty.

A successful hunt often means hauling 50+ pounds of meat out of steep country. If your training doesn't simulate that, you're training for the wrong part of the trip.

Off-Road Training: Real Terrain, Real Muscles

Once you've built a base, it's time to take it off the treadmill and onto uneven ground. But don't rush it—the fastest way to ruin a hunt is to twist an ankle or blow out a knee during prep.

Look for:

• Mild gravel trails

• Dirt fire roads

• Fields, foothills, and game trails

Your goal here isn't speed—it's building stabilizer muscles. Anyone can hike on pavement. But when the earth tilts, rocks roll, or a rut steals your step, you'll need the strength and balance that only off-road miles can give you. And let's not forget: a good off-road stumble can mean dropping your rifle, spooking your game, or ending your trip early. Train to avoid that.

OVERPREPARE – SO YOU CAN ENJOY THE HUNT

Don't train to "get through it." Train so the physical part is easy. That's when the hunt becomes enjoyable. You're not dragging feet and gasping for air—you're observing, strategizing, enjoying the stillness, and soaking up the moments we spend all year waiting for. I always tell my clients: Get in better shape than you need. Because when the pack is full and the trail gets long, you don't want to be the one who's "had enough." You want to be the one smiling at the summit, grateful for the grind. Use the hunt as an excuse. Use it to build something better, because no one's ever regretted being too prepared for the backcountry.