PLEASE, PLEASE, PAHLEEEEESE GET FIT FOR YOUR HUNT IN AFRICA..!

[enysse]

You are right 15 minute mile is a run...pretty much, fast walk is 20 minutes a mile

 

[Christina Nyczepir]

Great thread. I have to say I was shocked to see just how many hunters were so incredibly out-of-shape when I first became involved in the sport. I thought wild game was a lean meat! LOL! Good health leads to a better quality of life overall and certainly makes for a greater hunting experience and being in the outdoors. That includes a healthy diet.....not just proper exercise. But I have to say.....I was in much better shape than my younger PH (early 30's) and had an easier time time climbing those EC mountains. I've been a distance runner for most my life. His downfall is his cigarette smoking. Seems to be a prevalent habit among PHs.

 

[Cliffy]

All you young'uns out there- Remember - Time marches on!
35 years ago none of my friends could keep up with me Now? not so good.
I don't sheep hunt and I guess I won't be doing the EC anytime soon. Knees and back just can't do it anymore. Doesn't mean I don't try as hard as I can but in comparison to years past, no where near what I was capable of.
Your time is coming!

 

[DOC-404]

I've been a distance runner for most my life. His downfall is his cigarette smoking. Seems to be a prevalent habit among PHs.

..being chased up a tree by an angry lioness only to find you are sharing it with the resident black mamba, or having seven kinds of crap scared out of you by a moody buffalo in thick jesse, will probably get most guys to light up a Marlboro or two, methinks, PH or not. I don't do distance, but you can bet your bottom buck that I'm quicker than you over fifty yards..

 

[Christina Nyczepir]

..being chased up a tree by an angry lioness only to find you are sharing it with the resident black mamba, or having seven kinds of crap scared out of you by a moody buffalo in thick jesse, will probably get most guys to light up a Marlboro or two, methinks, PH or not. I don't do distance, but you can bet your bottom buck that I'm quicker than you over fifty yards..

LOL!! I'll have to take your word for it, Doc! But it will always sadden me to see younger people smoke. My mother died five years ago from emphysema (she was only 69 and its an ugly way to watch someone you love go). And my father now has it as well. Both tried many times to quit. It can be such a horrible addiction. My PH already has a smoker's cough, and as I said....he's in his early thirties. I took my mountain reedbuck with one frontal shot from the bottom of the hill. I don't know how many yards uphill we had to climb to retrieve him. When I caught up to my PH and tracker (who had set out ahead of me).....they were sitting down trying to catch their breath half way up. I thought, "heck with this" and kept going. Needless to say....that got them moving again because they weren't going to be out-done by some little female client. LOL

 

[Royal27]

LOL!! I'll have to take your word for it, Doc! But it will always sadden me to see younger people smoke. My mother died five years ago from emphysema (she was only 69 and its an ugly way to watch someone you love go). And my father now has it as well. Both tried many times to quit. It can be such a horrible addiction. My PH already has a smoker's cough, and as I said....he's in his early thirties. I took my mountain reedbuck with one frontal shot from the bottom of the hill. I don't know how many yards uphill we had to climb to retrieve him. When I caught up to my PH and tracker (who had set out ahead of me).....they were sitting down trying to catch their breath half way up. I thought, "heck with this" and kept going. Needless to say....that got them moving again because they weren't going to be out-done by some little female client. LOL

That's awesome.... Maybe it isn't very "manly" of me, but I always find it hilarious when some guy "get's chicked." Me? I just know it is going to happen, and more often than i wish!!

 

[Cliffy]

..you can bet your bottom buck that I'm quicker than you over fifty yards..

Not if I shoot you in the knee first! Old folks are cagey!
walkingprey2 great write up! I'm certainly impressed! Your description of the climb for your mountain reedbuck reminds me of a time 40 years ago when a friend and I hiked over Onion Pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains in Calif (11,300') into the Kings Canyon Wilderness. On our way out we were retracing our path up the switchbacks from 7500' to the top when we looked behind us and WAY down the mountain were two girls about our age also coming out with packs on. A little while later we noticed that they had gained on us considerably. Of course, not to be out done by GIRLS we sucked it up and beat them to the top BUT we were done in and while panting for breath at the top they sailed right past us as if it were nothing! We got our butts beat bad!

 

[DOC-404]

Not if I shoot you in the knee first! Old folks are cagey!

..I am a 'old folks' Clifford..! :meyou:

 

[BRICKBURN]

Late last year I was asked to help a close PH friend with a wounded leopard. Sorted. Then I met the 'hunter' that caused the problem. At first, I thought the guy was just filthy-rich-spoilt-rotten, but it didn't take me long to realize that he was just too damn lazy to shit. And extremely unfit. Every 200 yards, the BWANA had to have his chair, umbrella and cooler-box. It's not the first time that I have met hunters who have planned a hunt in Africa for two years, have the fancy artillery, all the bells and whistles, but they can't walk a mile without passing out.

Guys, Africa is a beautiful place to hunt but, she's a also a real bitch. She'll chew you up and spit you out quickly if you don't prepare for her physically as well. At least get walking fit before your hunt. If you are able-bodied and can do it, being able to walk 5 miles a day, at a brisk pace, without breaking too much of a sweat, is where you should be to really enjoy yourself in Africa.

So, for your own sake, add a bit of PT to your list of 'things to do' before you get on the plane.

Good one to revisit just before the season starts......

 

[Rob404]

I really didn't have much of a problem Walking but I found my stride was not what it once was and I'm not sure there is a fix for that, my problem was climbing and decending the rocky terrain in Limpopo Province. Next trip I'll do some serious stair stepping and also to build a little more arm strength

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Totally agree that being in good shape helps on the hunt. I use a 50 lb weight vest and walk on treadmills and stairmaster with it on. I do that 3 days a week and run and lift weights on the alternate 3 days. Rest on Sunday!

https://www.weightvest.com/

 

[GA Hunter]

A lot of good points made here. You will only help yourself by being in shape when you get there. If you have any issues that may hinder the hunt in any way make sure your outfitter is aware long before the trip. This way they can plan accordingly.

For the walkers out there. The AVERAGE human walks approximately 3 miles per hour at a NORMAL pace. A 20 minute mile. Personally, I walk a little over 2 miles, 4 to 5 days a week, with a heck of a hill in the middle of the route, and average just under 30 minutes. I would describe my pace as my “I’ve got somewhere to go” pace. I’m not rushing but I’m not stopping to sniff any flowers either.

 

[GA Hunter]

A lot of good points made here. You will only help yourself by being in shape when you get there. If you have any issues that may hinder the hunt in any way make sure your outfitter is aware long before the trip. This way they can plan accordingly.

For the walkers out there. The AVERAGE human walks approximately 3 miles per hour at a NORMAL pace. A 20 minute mile. Personally, I walk a little over 2 miles, 4 to 5 days a week, with a heck of a hill in the middle of the route, and average just under 30 minutes. I would describe my pace as my “I’ve got somewhere to go” pace. I’m not rushing but I’m not stopping to sniff any flowers either.

And yes 90% of this is on either smooth grass or a sidewalk. The other 10% is a fairly moderate trail. I will readily concede that a rougher terrain would make a difference.

 

[Upton O. Good]

Walking to prep for the hunt is essential but I found that carrying a 5 lb weight in my hand the first two weeks of walking and then a ten pound weight for the next few months prepped me for carrying my rifle. I also had a small back pack on my back with ten pounds in it to get accustomed to my hunting pack.

I believe folks “play like they practice”.

 

[sestoppelman]

A lot of good points made here. You will only help yourself by being in shape when you get there. If you have any issues that may hinder the hunt in any way make sure your outfitter is aware long before the trip. This way they can plan accordingly.

For the walkers out there. The AVERAGE human walks approximately 3 miles per hour at a NORMAL pace. A 20 minute mile. Personally, I walk a little over 2 miles, 4 to 5 days a week, with a heck of a hill in the middle of the route, and average just under 30 minutes. I would describe my pace as my “I’ve got somewhere to go” pace. I’m not rushing but I’m not stopping to sniff any flowers either.

LOL, ever check that "mile" on your car? No way. As I said earlier, I am a fast walker, and it takes me 18-20 minutes to walk a measured mile on flat ground, not a track. AVERAGE human at a NORMAL pace? Not gonna walk a 20 minute mile with that. To walk a 20 minute mile is a hustle on flat ground. If you can do much better you aint walking, you are jogging.

 

[Ridgewalker]

I try to workout 3 days a week. I’ve done it for many years to stay in shape for fishing and hunting. But...at 70+ I’m not what I use to be. I now have to have two days between exercising the same muscles to recoup. I still plan to hunt and fish until I cannot do it any more. Then my time is done.
If a PH doesn’t want to help me, all they have to do is tell me. I’m not sensitive and will just try to find a PH who will take me. I try to be clear up front about my capabilities, my age and my condition.

 

[Rick Cox]

I was into technical climbing most of my adult life. I found that riding a bike was measurably better conditioning for hiking up mountains approaching the climb than running.

 

[GA Hunter]

LOL, ever check that "mile" on your car? No way. As I said earlier, I am a fast walker, and it takes me 18-20 minutes to walk a measured mile on flat ground, not a track. AVERAGE human at a NORMAL pace? Not gonna walk a 20 minute mile with that. To walk a 20 minute mile is a hustle on flat ground. If you can do much better you aint walking, you are jogging.

My route is measured by a GPS daily so I am certain of the distance and the time.

 

[sestoppelman]

Talking more about the Average and Normal thing, not you personally. I googled this thing and some say average and normal, others say not so much. I just contend that a 2o minute mile is not done by average, normal or leisurely paces. Takes hustle. I don't walk as fast as I used to, not as young, now 64. But I still walk pretty fast and it takes about 20 minutes to walk a mile and its not leisurely I promise you.
Brisk Walking Speeds. A brisk walking pace is 3.0 miles per hour or about 20 minutes per mile, which is about 5 kilometers per hour or 12 minutes per kilometer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An average easy walking pace is more than 20 minutes per mile (slower than 3.0 mph).
How Fast Is a Brisk Walking Pace? - Verywell Fit
If you are "walking" over 2 miles in under a half hour, that's about 5 mph, which for most people is jogging. It would be almost twice as fast as I walk. I have a hard time envisioning someone "walking" past me going nearly twice as fast and not jogging. Especially with a big hill in the middle. Are you Superman or just a professional speed walker? LOL.

 

[LivingTheDream]

I was into technical climbing most of my adult life. I found that riding a bike was measurably better conditioning for hiking up mountains approaching the climb than running.

Makes sense it works the quads. The best in my opinion is good old fashion stairs. Just walk up and down stairs for 60 minutes straight. You will feel the burn. The weight vest is awesome as well, don't run with it though as I found it to be hard on the knees. The other thing to do is planks and push ups. I have found some weird positions when making the final approach and a strong core will help with those weird positions.