Hello,
I am kinda new here but I have the passion to hunt like you wouldn't believe. I live in the low lying plains of South Dakota. My sister's father-in-law offered to take me on an elk hunt in CO this fall. I am ecstatic about it. I am concerned about being in proper shape to take on such an endeavor. I was wondering if anyone here has done so and if you could give me any tips to get me in the right kind of shape, how to battle the altitude difference, as it is about 8000 ft difference, or any other tips you could give me that would be great.

The issue of dealing with altitude could fill volumes. But in general I would say the best thing you can do to prepare for hunting in Colorado would be to starting working out.

I am not sure what kind of shape you are in. The best way to start is to start walking and hiking. Keep extending your distances and start adding weight in a backpack. Work up to about how much you think you will be carrying in the field. If you have hills around hike up and down them. Stairs can also be used if that is all you have around. If you don't want to look goofy wearing a big pack on some local stairs you can use a smaller pack and put smaller heavier weights in it so it doesn't stand out as much.

I like to add running to my fitness plan. It will not help your actual hiking stamina as much as hiking will, but it will help you catch your breath faster when you are up at elevation.

As far as adapting to the elevation, it can depend largely on you as an individual. Everyone is affected differently by altitude. The fastest was to adapt is to be active, but don't push it. If you can get to your camp a couple days before the season starts. Take some short walks/hikes around camp. Not so much to wear you out, but enough to help your body adapt. You will also adapt a little faster if you hike at higher elevations than when you are sleeping. These are some general tips that mountaineers use. That is a little more of an extreme than many of the elevations in Colorado, but they should help you.

Let us know if you have any more questions, or need clarification.

When I used to hunt elk in the high country of Colorado and coming from almost sea level, I started a rigorous workout program in March, soon after completing arrangements with outfitters.

Began riding a bike and extending the trips in increments of a mile or two a week until able to do 20 miles without missing a beat. Some of those miles were sprints and some were up grades that challenged me.

Working in an office, I would use stairways exclusively and carrying a heavy brief case. In lieu of lunch, long walks.

Diet was adjusted to shed the extra pounds (carbohydrates and sweets were no-no's). Knocked off the coffee/tea/alcohol. Had quit smoking for other health reasons, but worked in good stead for this conditioning.

Anything you can do to stress your lung capacity is beneficial. Not much you can do about the thinner air at the higher elevations until you get there. The previous suggestion of arriving as early as possible and trying to get several days of acclimation is a very good one. Usually takes about a week before the breath shortness and headaches will ease somewhat. You WILL NOT be able to keep up with the locals that were born and raised there.

Hike with packs and boots in grade changes as much as possible. Some areas of SD have some pretty fair hills and some of it is pretty flat. Don't know where you are at of the access of hills, but try to find some. Have heard of folks using the local ball stadiums for this purpose.

The excersise bike works well for me too. Lots of miles on the mountin bike in the summer. My work as a mechanic keeps me moving all day climbing up and down off of heavy equipment. Plus following the snowblower around in the winter is a good cardio workout.

The backpack is also a good idea. Start small and work up. Also hanging a 8-10 pound wieght off one shoulder will get you used to having a rifle slung there.

Doing too much at once will get you buned out fast and you'll have less tendancy to work out longer which is what is needed to build stamina. Like colohunter said, stairs are a good way to build stamina in the muscles in your legs and get your lungs in shape. Not only will you get a workout going up but down as well. You'd be surprised how much work your knees get, going back down the hills. If you have access to a gym, weight training is not out of the question either, more reps with less weight will build stamina as well without bulking up. I start my routine by streatching, then a good 15-20 minutes on the treadmill or excersise bike to get a sweat going then hit the weights to keep it going 'til I finish my workout.

Losing that icecream, doughnut, cookie fat will help a bunch too. If you are 20-25 lbs over weight it'll help to lose 2/3 of that. You might need a bit of the extra out in the woods, so don't try to lose it all.

When you do work out, drink plenty of fluids, but stay away from the energy drinks with alot of carbs and caffine. Eating a bannana aday will keep up your potasium, which will prevent cramps. For a quick potasium charge, prunes have twice as much potasium as bananas. Plan on carrying a gallon of water when you hunt, especially if you are going to be gone all day. If you are not going far from camp or the truck you won't have to pack as much, but I never leave the truck or camp with less than 1/2 a gallon. I have a hydration pack that has comparments for emergency stuff as well as a sandwich or 2 and a couple candy bars or fruit.

Adding leg weights to your walking/hiking will put spring in your step. And start breaking in that new pair of hunting boots early, not a couple of days before you head out. Your feet will thank you.

RJ

I go to CO elk hunting every other year with a buddy. I have already started getting ready for this years hunt. I am a short little fat guy who will never be skinny and gave up years ago. I have learned that if my legs are in really good shape, the CO elk hunt goes a lot better. I start walking months in advance, especially uphill, adding extra weight in my pack each month for a total of about 40 lb. If you can get to your hunting area a couple of days in advance, you can sort of get used to the altitude before you start any real mountain climbing. Go and have a good time.
PS. Don't take soft drinks bottled at sea level to an 8000 ft mountain camp. It is like trying to drink from a fire extinguisher.

Must be why whenever I open a Dr. Pepper it explodes in my hand!!

RJ

All good advice. I'll reinforce RJ's advice....drink lots of water. High altitude means dry air and there is nothing that puts a damper on a hunt faster than a splitting headache from dehydration. Drink regularly when hiking, even if you're not thirsty - and I mean water or Gatorade (gives some people heartburn though). I live at around 5200 ft elevation, and elk and deer hunt in the 7000' - 10,000 ft elevations, and I never had any real problems since I already live at a somewhat high elevation. But friends that come down that live around the 3000 fit elevation did have problems, and drinking plenty of water minimized the effects.

That said, nothing like being in shape, and not just cardiovascular shape. If you don't get your joints and tendons and feet in shape along with your cardiovascular, you won't have a very enjoyable hunt. Good luck!

How do I get joints and tendons in shape?

Miles of use. The best way to improve the parts of the body that you will use hunting is to hike, and use them. Cardiovascular will help you to catch your breath, but the only way to stay on your feet and cover ground is to specifically work on using those muscles. As your muscles get used to the activity they will be able to support the tendons and joints.

Another tidbit: If you have a part that isn't 100% like a knee or ankle? Don't be afraid to use a brace or wrap. Nothing to constricting, just good support. My right knee got trashed when I was about 20 in a horse wreck. If I don't use a brace, it lets me know after a couple miles of hiking. My orthopedic doctor friend recomended one that has a metal "hinge" affair on the sides for maximum support. I don't even notice it after awhile. I only notice it when it starts to squeak :eek: He also recommended the mtn bike or excersise bike for cardio and muscle tone rather than running as it's easier on the knees than running. Plus I look silly in sweat pants. :D

RJ

How do I get joints and tendons in shape?

Best way is to hike some hills with a pack with approximate weight you'll be hiking when hunting. Flat ground doesn't cut it, although doing that will help somewhat anyway. You just can't get the ankles and knees in proper shape when they're not working the muscles and tendons on uneven ground. If you can't do this, just get in the best shape you can, and don't overdo it out on your first day of the hunt.

depending on where in Co you plan on hunting, nothing can prepare you properly, those hills are horrible, for preparing for MT sheep hunting our group did backpacks treadmills and day hikes, still when the rams were spotted and we took off, we were all out of breath when we got there, and the next morning was worse

good luck in CO this fall

I hunted Rio Blanco County Colorado from 1984 to 1999 left a sedentary desk job wasn't in great shape but did workout in our swimming pool all summer & walked but never had any problems at 6000'( maybe because I lived at 2500' & worked at 6000+ feet) and drove there in my 3/4 ton 1964 chev truck with a 10.5ft camper towing my VW Baja Bug,changed it to a landcruiser & a 1972 Ford 3/4ton p/u,then a MH & a Jeep Scrambler hunted Piceance Creek area for elk & deer never got an elk but did get mule deer.Depends where you'll be hunting & at what elevation.Friends were in S CO last year hunting at 12000 ft seeing nothing due to the heat ,later after they left they found out the elk were at 14000 feet.