Martinez canyon is a high mountain environment and your physical fitness can often be a determining factor as to just how much you enjoy your hunt. Though we hunt several different species on the ranch, this article is mainly geared to the elk hunter. If you are physically prepared for the elk hunt (and you can never be in too good of shape to hunt elk), well you are ready to hunt anything.

CHS has 4x4's, 4 wheelers, UTV's and even horses, so getting hunters into and out of areas is not a problem. But your success and overall hunting experience, especially when hunting elk, can be directly related to your physical preparation.

Guides successfully use several methods; still hunting, spot and stalk, calling, decoys and blinds. Which method or combination of methods, and to what extent a method is used with you, is often determined by your physical abilities. Those hunters that move well and are in good physical condition will have many more options available to them and their guides.

Does that mean that a person that is limited physically will not be successful? Definitely not. Your outfitter will put you in the best situation for success and hunting is hunting. You NEVER know what will happen! You can be in the best shape of your life, hunt hard and all over the mountain, only to come back to camp and hear stories about a kill at a blind, or about the bull that ran in for over a half a mile and was killed right behind the cabin! It just means that you and your guide have more options and more area, or types of terrain available. It doesn't guarantee success, but it can help stack the deck in your favor.

So with that said, how do you get in shape for your hunt? First and foremost, if you are going to prepare to swim the English Channel, you start swimming! If you are going to hunt elk, you start walking! Flat, uphill...downhill. Your cardio conditioning is the top priority. You might be able to punch paper with the best of them...but try to do it while you are gulping for oxygen! Here are my recommendations:

1. If you are hunting in September, you need to start no later than July 1^st, June 1^st is preferable (Two to three months ahead) . There is no way to really get in shape 1 month before your hunt. You can “break” in  the body and hunting gear in that amount of time, but for physical conditioning that you will be calling on day after day, you need more money in the bank.

2. Daily walking is preferable, but every other day will do. Stair walking is a must. Note..listen to your body, if you are experiencing pain or develop an injury, rest for a few days. If it seems out of place or more serious, see a doctor.

3. Start with a mile a day and work up to three miles a day. If you are a runner and already doing mileage, you are doing fine for your cardio, but remember to work the legs. I still recommend briskly walking stairs or hiking some hills with a 30 lb pack. 

4. Once you are up to 3 miles, alternate days with a 20 to 30 pound pack. Carrying hand weights are a great way to prep the shoulders for carrying a weapon (nothing huge, 3 to 5 lbs...even water bottles in both hand will work).

5. Cross training; biking, swimming laps, trail hikes and jogging, are great ways to vary your training and to give you a fresh change. Jump roping is a tremendous cardio and leg endurance workout.

I have also found that pushups are the best all around for general upper body and core strengthening and it doesn't take a gym membership to get them done. The core strengthening from pushups will really help you through a long hunt with a pack and a weapon. Other than that you don't have to worry about carrying to much. If you get an animal, that's what your guides are for!

Hope this helps. Look forward to seeing you on the mountain! Where there is a will, there is a way!