For myself ,I still work out hard with the Weights at age 61. 3 times a week + full body.
Martial Arts every day for about 45 minutes. Just started my 40th year involvement in Karate. I used to Teach that as well. We did plenty of Standing Jujitsu.
Plenty of Muay Thai as well.
Twice a week,I hit my 125lb Heavy Bag. Starting my 45th year of Boxing. Long time indeed. Most Martial Arts Schools have the 40lb Heavy Bags. That is good for the kids- but an adult would do better with a 80lber.
I only go at 75% with my Boxing on the 125lb Heavy Bag as,I use no Hand Wraps. I would say for most men- wrap your hands .
And,I Hike as often as possible.I try to get in a good Mountain Hike in on a weekend day. And in the Spring + Summer,I get my Mountain Bike out.
So- how do you prepare for Tough Public Spring Turkey Hunts?
Heavy Russian kettlebells, heavy steel mace tire slams, and eating healthy!
Diet mostly year round, cheat for CHRISTmas and Fourth of July then right back at it. Walking the dog a few times a day helps and when not as raw cold as it has been I am trying to get out and get pictures of wildlife, so that gets me out walking a bit but it seems ever since I got the 300mm lens for the camera it has bee to raw cold out or raining but I just bought a camera rain jacket for my camera, not the one I wanted but it will help keep the camera dry and wind off my hands as I operate it. Also trying to do some light weight lifting, still having problems with the left shoulder and want to try to get a turkey with a bow this year so I need that shoulder to be able to hold up the bow while at full draw for a bit, I don't want to be shaking when I release the arrow.
So first thing for me is a healthy diet. By that I mean lean meats like salmon, turkey, chicken and venison, fruits, veggies and I do take a multivitamin, glucosamine for the joints and drink some protein powders.
Cardio: Six days a week I do cardio three of those six are run days. Each run is different one will be for speed usually running my five miles in 35 minutes or so. Next run will be inclines running at bout 7:30 pace for 39 minutes every four minutes I will crank up the incline on the treadmill to about 7° for one minute. The next run will be for some distance between seven and ten miles. These are done every other day. On the days I don't run it is rotated between the stair stepper, row machine, swimming and a minimum six mile ruck march with about 65 lbs in my Alice pack. I try to get the ruck in every Saturday if weather permits.
Lifting: lift six days a week also with a split of chest/tris, bi's/shoulders and back/forearms. I throw some squats, kettlebell lunges and burpees in there for my legs. Don't do a ton on legs because that is the one part of my body that puts on mass real quick.
Just to be honest I did just retire from the Army after 23 years so I am used to this training regiment. Also I like hiring the heavy bag a few days a week.
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Quote from: quavers59 on February 15, 2021, 02:11:35 AM
For myself ,I still work out hard with the Weights at age 61. 3 times a week + full body.
Martial Arts every day for about 45 minutes. Just started my 40th year involvement in Karate. I used to Teach that as well. We did plenty of Standing Jujitsu.
Plenty of Muay Thai as well.
Twice a week,I hit my 125lb Heavy Bag. Starting my 45th year of Boxing. Long time indeed. Most Martial Arts Schools have the 40lb Heavy Bags. That is good for the kids- but an adult would do better with a 80lber.
I only go at 75% with my Boxing on the 125lb Heavy Bag as,I use no Hand Wraps. I would say for most men- wrap your hands .
And,I Hike as often as possible.I try to get in a good Mountain Hike in on a weekend day. And in the Spring + Summer,I get my Mountain Bike out.
So- how do you prepare for Tough Public Spring Turkey Hunts?
If I mistakenly get to your hunting spot — any spot for that matter — before you, it's yours. All yours. Just don't beat me up.
Total Gentleman here- Spurs Up- lol!
Diet and exercise. Walking, riding bikes, and getting back to the gym.
Never know who you are going to roll up on in the turkey woods. I'm going to start punching the heavy bag too..
Long 3-4 hour silent scouting walks. I hike through my areas, look, listen, pin-point sign. From March 1st on, I wake up as if I am going turkey hunting, and hike till noon some days. I find this gets my biological clock, and cardio ready for my Spring onslaught. Some days it's tough, but it sure beats a treadmill, and the views are fantastic......can't wait.
I like to ride my bike to and through our local WMA, even during the season. I've heard complaints at the check station about some old man riding his bike and scaring away all the turkeys. I've kept my eyes open on my rides and I haven't seen him yet.
Then I lift weights at the house and chase my Doberman the rest of the day.
A weighted vest is useful. I use it when walking and doing squats.
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Gut punches...lots and lots of gut punches gets me ready for hunting. Lol.
I am usually really active throughout the year between hunting, trapping, golf(I walk), fishing, so I don't use an exercise plan. This time of year, however, I tend to slack. I will get on the elliptical but hate it. I just don't hate it as much as walks in -10 degrees. It typically doesn't take me long to get "into hunt mode" esp since I gave up the smoking 10yrs ago. Good lungs go a long ways...
Sit-up x1 rep (getting out of bed)
Controlled fall sit-up x1 rep (getting IN bed - must do this because an uncontrolled flop can result in getting a concussion from the headboard and concussion protocols can put you out for up to 2 weeks)
Heavily weighted squat and pause x1 rep (if it's taco Tuesday than definitely can pump those numbers up a bit)
Bicep curls until fail (some days that chip bag is endless)
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I send my boy down to the public land parking lot an hour before shooting time. He likes making people uncomfortable. For some reason a 270lb football lineman in a pair of boxer shorts and one of those leopard print slingshot borat suites, complete with a pair of cowboy boots and Indiana Jones hat does the trick. His finisher is usually a Capri sun juice box and a feminine hey boys watcha doin?
Works great and I have all the space in the world.
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Quote from: Happy on February 15, 2021, 08:54:57 AM
I send my boy down to the public land parking lot an hour before shooting time. He likes making people uncomfortable. For some reason a 270lb football lineman in a pair of boxer shorts and one of those leopard print slingshot borat suites, complete with a pair of cowboy boots and Indiana Jones hat does the trick. His finisher is usually a Capri sun juice box and a feminine hey boys watcha doin?
Works great and I have all the space in the world.
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See! Why be in shape if you can just outsmart them! Haha
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Mtn Tough fitness 30-30 no gear program
A lot of cardio involved in this program and push ups, air squats, burpees, etc. It's been an excellent program for getting back into shape. Doing it for the 2nd time now and will finish up right before season gets started
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Great replies here!
I really think my Monday- Wednesday- Friday Bodybuilding Routine thag covers the whole Body is the most important for me. If takes about 1 Hour or so and is good for maintaining Size that you built up as a young man.
I've done the guzintas and it is 9.7 yards from my recliner to the fridge. Therefore, I have determined with some level of accuracy that I walk three quarters of a mile every day,...more or less depending on how hungry I am on any given day. :angel9:
I hunt deer for 3.5 months then finish up with another month of wood duck hunting trekking swamps with waders, made 6+ miles on some trips. That along with cutting and splitting wood and a little scouting usually has my legs under me for the season.
Never have done much anything extra before hunting, just have always been very active. But just retired past year so will see how things go this spring. But then again I don't care I am retired now, can take my time.
Walking on treadmill and making love 3 - 4 times day's ... man i"m tried... :jackson:
On a treadmill even. Impressive :TooFunny:
I like to hike before season... A lot.
I do 16 oz. curls 4-5 times a week and walk from the Refrigerator to my recliner everyday!
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Quote from: Spurs Up on February 15, 2021, 07:14:12 AM
Quote from: quavers59 on February 15, 2021, 02:11:35 AM
For myself ,I still work out hard with the Weights at age 61. 3 times a week + full body.
Martial Arts every day for about 45 minutes. Just started my 40th year involvement in Karate. I used to Teach that as well. We did plenty of Standing Jujitsu.
Plenty of Muay Thai as well.
Twice a week,I hit my 125lb Heavy Bag. Starting my 45th year of Boxing. Long time indeed. Most Martial Arts Schools have the 40lb Heavy Bags. That is good for the kids- but an adult would do better with a 80lber.
I only go at 75% with my Boxing on the 125lb Heavy Bag as,I use no Hand Wraps. I would say for most men- wrap your hands .
And,I Hike as often as possible.I try to get in a good Mountain Hike in on a weekend day. And in the Spring + Summer,I get my Mountain Bike out.
So- how do you prepare for Tough Public Spring Turkey Hunts?
If I mistakenly get to your hunting spot — any spot for that matter — before you, it's yours. All yours. Just don't beat me up.
I'll show up to anyone's spot with Rakkin or Quavers.....and stand behind them when they explain that the spot is now ours.....lol :blob10:
Ha_ still great replies here members.
Quote from: Greg Massey on February 15, 2021, 10:27:03 AM
Walking on treadmill and making love 3 - 4 times day's ... man i"m tried... :jackson:
Greg your the Rick Flair of Turkey hunting lol I wanna see you with one over your shoulder this spring while yelling WOOO
Ive been doing 45-60min of workout everyday since the fall last year, I do not enjoy the cardio portions. Ive been jokingly telling my wife my motivation during workouts is to run down a gobbler and catch him.
I usually just watch a few turkey hunting shows. Like to eat something also while watching them. I will normally go to the kitchen & get the food myself if I'm in the living room. But if I'm way back in the bedroom it's too far to walk so I just holler at my wife to bring me something. Then by opening day I'm good to go.
I do finger conditioning so when the over the counter tags go on sale I have lighting speed tying on my laptop to get all them turkey permits before they sell out. :emoticon-cartoon-012:
Mountain bike. My fall hunts are tougher.
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I work out weekly, nothing special for the season. Substitute a couple of runs for scouting hikes.
I wonder how many really concentrate on such intense work outs? Most of the Turkey hunters I see are overweight with big guts. They waddle a hundred yards or so from the truck and sit. They do seem to kill plenty of Turkeys. Their philosophy seems to be let the Turkey come to them. Makes plenty of sense considering most will never be in the condition of a Turkey so why not let the Turkey do all the hiking. LOL
Personally, I only do the intense workouts when hunting out west for Mtn Lion or Elk. At home my normal activity keeps the weight down i.e. cutting wood on national forest, hiking both Mountains and farm. Currently, I am still huntin Bobcats despite the snowy and icy weather. One of my favorites for staying in shape tho is the treadmill as it is always available and I can take a few minutes a day on it in between other responsibility's.
Might just be me but I do not see why one would need an intense workout for Turkey hunting unless in terrible shape to start. Good calling and patience kill more Turkeys than running and gunning any day. Just my 2 cents.
Not much really, I've been doing a fair amount of coyote hunting this winter. Hiking a mile or so back to good calling spots on public land through snow drifts seems to burn calories. Also wear myself out cutting wood behind the house. If this snow ever melts I plan on hitting it hard shed hunting. May even wear a pack with a little weight in it. Got an antelope hunt to get ready for next fall too.
Bow hunting and shed hunting keeps me pretty active on the weekends in the fall. I also run, work with free weights and resistance bands, and do a lot of calisthenics. I started doing some yoga last year and it has really improved flexibility.
I scouted some hill country one day last week and this is what my iPhone says I did. This is the only exercise I'll really do to prepare for turkey season. Climb as many hills as I can and learn some new ground and look for turkey and deer sign. I'll be back at it when some of this snow melts. Some of these places I might not even hunt, but I always like a change of scenery so I like to scout new areas every year and it's a great way to make sure I'm in shape for season.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210216/d6a15e31d5bdeb808a85783f80902a3d.png)
Also I try to stretch before I go into the woods. And drink plenty of water before and after
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It's not necessary but it certainly helps. Noone has ever said I'm just to in shape for this. I don't workout for the sole purpose of hunting, I love working and get 5 to 6 days a week but it absolutely helps.
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Quote from: SD_smith on February 15, 2021, 08:50:41 AM
Sit-up x1 rep (getting out of bed)
Controlled fall sit-up x1 rep (getting IN bed - must do this because an uncontrolled flop can result in getting a concussion from the headboard and concussion protocols can put you out for up to 2 weeks)
Heavily weighted squat and pause x1 rep (if it's taco Tuesday than definitely can pump those numbers up a bit)
Bicep curls until fail (some days that chip bag is endless)
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Lol, I like your style.
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I train in some way year round, so I really do not do anything specific to turkey hunts. I live at elevation now so heading to the midwest will be gravy!
Carrying a heavy pack in the mountains prepares you for anything!
I hunt chukar, grouse, Huns, quail from 9/1 'til 1/31 then exercise my bird dogs until 8/31 usually without carrying a gun but some water and other weight in a hunting vest. Some scouting trips for turkeys, too. Nothing's as good as doing the real thing without a gun but carrying some other weight. After chukar hunting in ID and OR all season anything else is easy, even mountain goat hunting.
January - March is my breeding season. Not a lot of miles walked but the long nights help prepare me for the early mornings.
I sit in my recliner for as long as I can. Helps trach me patience and train me for the longs sits.....
Quote from: outdoorsmen on February 16, 2021, 07:32:20 PM
I sit in my recliner for as long as I can. Helps trach me patience and train me for the longs sits.....
Hahaha!
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Quote from: outdoorsmen on February 16, 2021, 07:32:20 PM
I sit in my recliner for as long as I can. Helps trach me patience and train me for the longs sits.....
LOL, I think more do this than will admit!
Quote from: quavers59 on February 15, 2021, 02:11:35 AM
For myself ,I still work out hard with the Weights at age 61. 3 times a week + full body.
Martial Arts every day for about 45 minutes. Just started my 40th year involvement in Karate. I used to Teach that as well. We did plenty of Standing Jujitsu.
Plenty of Muay Thai as well.
Twice a week,I hit my 125lb Heavy Bag. Starting my 45th year of Boxing. Long time indeed. Most Martial Arts Schools have the 40lb Heavy Bags. That is good for the kids- but an adult would do better with a 80lber.
I only go at 75% with my Boxing on the 125lb Heavy Bag as,I use no Hand Wraps. I would say for most men- wrap your hands .
And,I Hike as often as possible.I try to get in a good Mountain Hike in on a weekend day. And in the Spring + Summer,I get my Mountain Bike out.
So- how do you prepare for Tough Public Spring Turkey Hunts?
I think your probably in fantastic shape if your doing all that. I would say your good to for Turkey hunting hahah
I do weights 3 times a week and hit the treadmill a month before. Including weights
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I stop drinking / dipping / smoking at the same time a week before season , and I separate them to one at a time .... actually I hit the gym a little more often after deer season and do more cardio to get my " turkey " legs conditioned for spring .