How to do the tough hunts into your 80's

We are all at different stages of getting older. We want to postpone hanging up the guns for as long as humanly possible.

What are your best tips for diet, physical fitness regimens and mental conditioning to keep you fit enough to hunt into your 80's? This is more complicated than it might seem due to new metabolic problems affecting weight gain and loss, environmental factors, as well as dietary plans for seniors (which WILL include more protein). What is the cutting edge, state of the art practice for maximum results?
I would be especially grateful for suggestions from those who have overcome setbacks, lost weight and kept it off, and what it took to win the battle.

Come to think of it, there may be a book out there with the title of this thread.

My doctor said to me the key to longevity is drink lots of water and walk every day. Not running or jogging, but walking. I take a 1 mile long walks daily.

MrCreedmoor said:

My doctor said to me the key to longevity is drink lots of water and walk every day. Not running or jogging, but walking. I take a 1 mile long walks daily.

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I don't put a hell of a lot of faith in what many doctors say any more. Fauci is just one example. I feel I get a lot more good ideas on longevity from some of the guys on YouTube , MDs , I just don't trust a lot of them anymore.

No drinking, smoking, or wild women. Well, scratch that. . .

My father hunted from an elevated (10') box blind until 96. I should be so lucky, but doubtful. I walk 3-5 miles almost daily.

Just keep moving

M70375! said:

I don't put a hell of a lot of faith in what many doctors say any more. Fauci is just one example. I feel I get a lot more good ideas on longevity from some of the guys on YouTube , MDs , I just don't trust a lot of them anymore.

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EXACTLY! My doctor couldn't fill a thimble with any credible information about nutrition. Lots of good resources, yes, even on YouTube.

Walk for a minimum of 30 minutes a day, physical exercises, resistance bands/light hand weights. This keeps the body toned and capable of performing to the hunt's physical requirements.

Keep mobile. Eat reasonably. Strength train regularly. Walking is good. Running is better. Sleep 7-8 hrs. Don’t smoke, drink, eat a bunch of sugar.

A game changer for weight loss for me is to walk, or do squats, or other use of major muscle groups immediately after eating. Worst thing is to sit, even to work, immediately after eating.

Of course, I couldn't lose weight at lf I were eating processed food with boxes and barcodes. Single, natural ingredients, please.

To prevent muscle loss during the night, eating one cup cottage cheese 30 min. before bed prevents catabolizing muscle during the night time fast. Getting minimum 25 grams or more protein per meal prevents sarcopenia if you are exercising.

steve white said:

A game changer for weight loss for me is to walk, or do squats, or other use of major muscle groups immediately after eating. Worst thing is to sit, even to work, immediately after eating.

To prevent muscle loss during the night, eating one cup cottage cheese 30 min. before bed prevents catabolizing muscle during the night time fast. Getting minimum 25 grams or more protein per meal prevents sarcopenia if you are exercising.

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If it takes consuming cottage cheese I will gladly bow out now.

I will be 83 in September. I go for walks daily and try my best to stay active physically and mentally.
I hunt only in South Africa. Trip #11 will be May 2027. It is of utmost importance to find a PH that knows your limitations. My PH knows I cannot walk for 3-4 miles tracking buffalo. He knows I can only shoot from sticks or free hand(no kneeling of lying flat). He knows I cannot get into the Land Cruiser without a step stool. He knows I have to walk slowly, very slowly. He knows when I am in the back of the Land Cruiser he must go very slowly.; especially on rough roads.

ADSstecky said:

I will be 83 in September. I go for walks daily and try my best to stay active physically and mentally.
I hunt only in South Africa. Trip #11 will be May 2027. It is of utmost importance to find a PH that knows your limitations. My PH knows I cannot walk for 3-4 miles tracking buffalo. He knows I can only shoot from sticks or free hand(no kneeling of lying flat). He knows I cannot get into the Land Cruiser without a step stool. He knows I have to walk slowly, very slowly. He knows when I am in the back of the Land Cruiser he must go very slowly.; especially on rough roads.

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Good for you! You are setting an example for the rest of us to follow.

Doing that into your 70s can be done by most folks who keep active and execute a plan.

Into your 80s, you need all of that plus a little luck with the genetic lottery.

steve white said:

A game changer for weight loss for me is to walk, or do squats, or other use of major muscle groups immediately after eating. Worst thing is to sit, even to work, immediately after eating.

Of course, I couldn't lose weight at lf I were eating processed food with boxes and barcodes. Single, natural ingredients, please.

To prevent muscle loss during the night, eating one cup cottage cheese 30 min. before bed prevents catabolizing muscle during the night time fast. Getting minimum 25 grams or more protein per meal prevents sarcopenia if you are exercising.

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shoot for .8-1 gram of protein for each pound of body weight. As seniors our portion requirements are higher if we want to perform well later in life.

bwanamrm said:

Good for you! You are setting an example for the rest of us to follow.

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My hat goes off to you sir. I would be thrilled with my life if I am still able to hunt and enjoy doing it when I'm your age.

Well, for what it is worth, here's what I do at 72.
10 minutes of jumping on a mini trampoline every morning, 1 set of 100 body weight squats, 1-2 minutes of dead hanging from the chin-up bar , a 2 mile walk by the lake carrying a 9-11 pound rifle in one hand every morning. Then 3 times a week I do 3 sets of 80 pushups using push up handles and don't get me wrong I don't go clear to the floor with my chest like the young studs do, I call them old man push ups, then I do 3 sets 0f 16-18 pull-ups. Then I eat healthy, if it's not something that can be shot, caught, or picked from a vine or branch or dug from the soil, I will very rarely eat it. This is a lifestyle for me and it's been working pretty good so far. When I took my first elephant hunt in Botswana at the age of 70 after a 9 hour tracking day , both of my PH made a special effort to come to my hut that night to express their amazement at my abilities for my age. I hope I don't sound like I am trying to brag about anything. As I write this I am setting in my recliner with my leg on a stack of pillows and and ice pack compression device as I recover from a knee liner replacement surgery 4 days ago. I sure I hope it works out better than the first knee replacement surgery that I had 5 years ago.

The key is to keep both your mind and body active and engaged. You need something to look forward to, something to motivate your preparations.

Guys say they don't sweat the small stuff, but this is part of the fun for many of us. Planning a fitness routine based on an upcoming hunt, what gear I'll need to procure and practice with, what specific firearm I'll need to develop skills with. All of these are enjoyable and constant reminders that I need to keep myself in shape.

Since my retirement from active duty, I've worked at a heavy diesel repair shop with over a dozen mechanics. Great guys, but every time one takes a paid vacation, I ask them what they did, and often the reply is absolutely nothing. Maybe a few repairs around the house. No travel, no sporting activity, nothing. I see the effects it has on their morale and health every year that goes by.

Your body and mind are going to age, but how you maintain them are totally within your control.

Turn 74 next month and my approach is to simply keep going. I am fortunate to not yet have any prescribed meds for chronic issues or have required any parts to be replaced. After two essentially 24/7 careers, we are blessed to have our 40 acre place here on the Sam Gabriel. I hire myself to look after it, and it is a rare day when I am not on the tractor or a mower, or using a chain saw to deal with down timber (pecans!). In other words, I stay productively active. I try to eat what I like and religiously have two generous glasses of wine each evening. Should I be working in the gun room or watching a game that will likely be bolstered with a single malt, Irish, or Cognac.

I am not worth a damn on mountains - but never was - absolutely loathed that phase of Ranger School. But, I can still walk down a buffalo or an eland, or play a day of hide and seek with nilgai.

My pop used to say "If you don't use it, you lose it". He followed that but life long smoking took him way too early. He had a sister and brother, both non smokers, non drinkers, that made it to their mid nineties. Mom passed at ninety nine so genes play a big part too. I believe if one abused their bodies all of their adult life, modern medicine will help but conversion to a totally healthy lifestyle late in life won't make up for it. Add in a stress filled life and that switch is going to get thrown early.
Pushing 80, if the Creek don't rise, will pass that milestone and the plan is buffalo in '27. Mowing the yard today with a walk behind. GPS says 2.3 miles on the hoof. Buddies keep bugging me to get a rider then I remember what Pop said.

Edit: There's something to be said about being a fisherman too.