Avoiding illness before hunt

[huntin' lunatic]

My son and I are going on a hunt of a lifetime up in the Bitterroot Mountains in Montana November 2018. As I suffered through the flu during Christmas, It got me to thinking. What do some of you guys do to boost up your immunity? I'm healthy and walk three miles, 5 days a week. We are going with a guide. Is there something you guys do starting early to ward off any sickness before you leave for a 6 day hunt? I plan on getting there a couple of days early to acclimate. thanks

 

[mdhunter61]

To the extent that you can - limit you and your son's exposure to other people, and especially anyone who is sick. Most bugs we get we catch from someone else; before my big hunting trips I try to spend more time alone, limit exposure, and stay away from any friends who are sick. Not always possible, but that's that I try to do. Also go to the doc and get a Z pack, something for gastric issues, and anything else that you can think of.

 

[7mm08mo]

I take emergen-c and wash my hands like crazy, and avoid sick people like the plague. If my wife gets the sniffles before a week or so before a hunt I'll sleep in the spare room or on the couch. I am somewhat of a germaphobe I'm told.

 

[fishing4sanity]

I wish I knew the answer to this one. The day before I left for New Mexico I got sick, went anyway, the drive from eastern Washington to Roswell NM is a long drive; when you hit every rest stop and gas station along the way it takes even loooonger.

 

[jryoung]

A few months ahead start with a diet rich in immune boosting foods. Ginger, garlic, citrus, turmeric, berries, carrots.

In our clinic we'd recommend an IV with a high dose of vitamin C, and B vitamins and taurine for energy/recovery.

 

[bobbydean]

Flu shot early. Vitamin C 1000 mg. Avoid sick people. And everyone around you do the same thing.

Flu shots this year are about 10%, normally 50 to 60%.

Hope for a good year.

Regular workout for months. Probably the best. The body takes cares of people that take care of the body!

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

When I was doing the winter sports show circuit I would take Airborne. I would go from having hardly any human contact to being exposed to thousands. It seemed to work for me.

 

[dcopas78]

Work at a wastewater plant....it's been great for my immune system In all serious though, my wife and I both have jobs in which we are exposed to many nasty things. She is a 6th grade teacher, so when the kids are sick we always have our fingers crossed. She and I manage to stay pretty healthy. Hand-washing, hand sanitizer, and isolation from public places/people as much as possible. Make sure you use moisturizers to prevent cracked skin. Cracks in the skin are one of the easiest ways for bad stuff to get into your system. I think one of the most important things, and I don't see that anyone has mentioned it, is to stay well rested. If you get ran down, you are way more likely to get sick.

 

[noharleyyet]

A few months ahead start with a diet rich in immune boosting foods. Ginger, garlic, citrus, turmeric, berries, carrots.

In our clinic we'd recommend an IV with a high dose of vitamin C, and B vitamins and taurine for energy/recovery.

Might I board at your condo the first 10 days of October?

OP, good thread. Even a slight case of the sniffles will kick your azz in the mountains. Some good suggestions posted.

 

[LCH]

I don't take any measures to avoid sickness, but I do tend to worry about physical injury prior to a hunt. A couple weeks prior, I'll stop doing anything (mostly basketball for me) that carries a significant risk of a rolled ankle, etc.

 

[nidahunter]

I second the emergen-c. I have started taking it every day and have so far been sick free, even while working with multiple sick people. And lots of hand sanitizer.

 

[Gr8bawana]

There is no scientific evidence that it is possible to "boost" your immunity. All these products that people take because they claim to boost immunity are just hopeful thinkers. If people take them because it might work I guess there's no harm in that. Maybe just believing something works will make it work for you.
There are lots of old wives tales about foods to eat to keep from getting sick and they are no more effective than otc magic immunity boosters.

 

[Sytes]

I wish I could say there is something I do prior to m hunt though nothing specific. I try to stay healthy all the time is the simple fact. Typically take Vitamin C... ? Interesting thread. Worth checking back to read others preventative activity.

 

[Nameless Range]

Get plenty of sleep. Wash your hands frequently.

 

[MThuntr]

I avoid people with kids (especially ones that go to daycare)...always...I always avoid people with kids as a lifegoal

I think a lot of vitamins are nonsense. Many of the Immunity Boosters contain little or no actual ingredient they claim.

If you reduce your interactions with ill people, wash your hands and don't touch your face, prevent overexertion before the hunt, and eat healthy you're doing what you can.

 

[Schaaf]

I avoid people with kids (especially ones that go to daycare)...always...I always avoid people with kids as a lifegoal

I think a lot of vitamins are nonsense. Many of the Immunity Boosters contain little or no actual ingredient they claim.

If you reduce your interactions with ill people, wash your hands and don't touch your face, prevent overexertion before the hunt, and eat healthy you're doing what you can.

Isn't that the truth, I've never been sick more often than I have since my kids started daycare.

 

[plumber1969]

I am that guy that when I get a cold it turns in to something awful, bronchitis is a blessing compared to pneumonia. This year we banished the grandkids from the house, 2 of them are in elementary school and all those snot nosed kids were not going to ruin my year long planned trip. We do not take any of the miracle cures. I worked in house maintenance at a hospital for 10 years and was ALWAYS sick. I could never build any immunity to it. Got MRSA in there also, almost lost a hand over that nasty stuff.

Best thing is to stay away from people that are sick and wash those hands a lot. Also avoid rubbing your face with your hands as that is a direct link to your nasal passages and airways.

 

[Flatland Crusoe]

I honestly I sort of lump this into the same boat as why you should be fit to hunt. If you are fit enough you can gut out a certain level of effort even while sick whereas if you are borderline capable while healthy any little thing will put you down.

Unfortunately hunting trips really put you at risk with sleep deprivation and travel for getting sick. I've seen a lot more instance of coming home really sick or worn out instead of being sick before departing stalling out a trip.

 

[6mm Remington]

I find that taking 1000 milligrams of vitamin C each day seems to fight off anything. I would start taking it a month or two before you go. Eat good meals and get plenty of rest.

 

[Cerebral Stalker]

I agree with dcopas78. Staying well rested, aka getting more than enough sleep, helps give your body the energy it needs to fight off illness and is often overlooked and underrated.