Training for elk season

[Jc2020]

I live in KS and don’t have the elevation to train in to try and prepare for a going up in the mountains elk hunting I was curious if anyone has tried a high elevation training mask to try and get ur body ready if so was it very effective?

 

[TheJason]

The search function is awesome.

Search results for query: Training mask

www.hunttalk.com

Do Altitude Training Masks Work for Endurance Athletes?

By now you have no doubt seen athletes running around, lifting weights, or even riding around at sea level or moderate elevations with altitude training masks. The idea is to simulate the hypoxic condition of exercising at altitude (about 5,000 feet above sea level and higher).

trainright.com

Do Training Masks Really Work? Surprising Facts | UPMC HealthBeat

Training masks are a hot new tool for many professional athletes, but are they actually effective? Learn more about their risks and benefits.

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Effect of Wearing the Elevation Training Mask on Aerobic Capacity, Lung Function, and Hematological Variables - PMC

Altitude training and respiratory muscle training (RMT) have been reported to improve performance in elite and well-trained athletes. Several devices (altitude and RMT) have been developed to help athletes gain the competitive edge. The Elevation ...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[Trial153]

Lungs and legs....all you need to know

 

[Bigjay73]

The only way to get used to elevation, is to be in elevation. Masks or those stupid mtn ops pills are only gonna lighten your wallet. Hit the weights and find a tall building to climb stairs in.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Weights and weights and cardio. You'll be fine take a day to get acclimated. What elevation are you looking at hunting at. The human body actually can adapt pretty quick, the hike in can even be all it takes to get acclimated, or split into two days. I've gone into some stuff and camped at 8500 or 9k then the next day climb up to that 11k plus stage.

You'll be fine........ just don't feed into that Mounatin Ops BRUH....

 

[Jc2020]

Thanks for the input I’m plan on hunting the last two weeks in September so plan on starting high around 11-12k above tree line and going from there depending where they are at

 

[Bigjay73]

Thanks for the input I’m plan on hunting the last two weeks in September so plan on starting high around 11-12k above tree line and going from there depending where they are at

Why so high? Elk will be anywhere from 5000 to 12500 or so. I'd go lower your first time, or at least your first couple of days. I would not go to 11000 and hunt from day 1, that could be a disaster

 

[Rancho Loco]

Forget the mask, give your body time to acclimate and take it slow - you're not playing a football game or running a marathon. Also hydrate hydrate hydrate before arriving, Altitude sickness is real and can ruin you and your hunt.

 

[EYJONAS!]

I do always wonder why flatlanders choose to go so high for their elk hunts. Elk hunting is hard enough, why add the additional stress and challenge of high elevation?

So they can push em to us.......

 

[Jc2020]

This will be my first time elk hunting I have been talking to different people and called out and talked with local warden he was saying that time of year they would be up high so was just planning on that but I do plan to come out and take a couple scouting trips closer to the season opening up and would prefer to find them at lower elevations

 

[Werty]

Like others have said, give yourself time to acclimate to elevation.

 

[LousyResident]

I do always wonder why flatlanders choose to go so high for their elk hunts. Elk hunting is hard enough, why add the additional stress and challenge of high elevation?

Because we hear it a lot to be honest. Researching from out of town you find a lot of info about snow pushing elk down, sanctuary areas, high and deep, etc. Not faulting anyone, but as a NR flatlander it's easy to think you need to go as high as possible early in the season.

I appreciate people saying some specific elevation in this thread. I made the same mistake last year until I was graciously helped by a local on here.

 

[Bigjay73]

Because we hear it a lot to be honest. Researching from out of town you find a lot of info about snow pushing elk down, sanctuary areas, high and deep, etc. Not faulting anyone, but as a NR flatlander it's easy to think you need to go as high as possible early in the season.

I appreciate people saying some specific elevation in this thread. I made the same mistake last year until I was graciously helped by a local on here.

Completely understandable, you do hear that 10000 number thrown out a lot. There will be elk at all elevations that have food, water, and security. Unit 2 is a trophy unit, most if which is around 7000 ft in elevation. Elk dont have onx to tell them how high they are lol

 

[bullbugle307]

I'll admit I was always a go high hunter until I learned otherwise. I have a friend in his 60s who has killed elk with his bow some 20 yrs straight (including some really nice bulls) in heavily hunted general units, sometimes from a tree stand, never more than a half mile from a road. He taught me a lot about finding elk and sanctuaries in heavily roaded areas. Granted, I did kill my bull high atop a ridge this year and 3.5 miles from the truck in NW Wyo, but I don't think I was even at 9000 ft. During bow season (and on the other side of the state), I called in 4 bulls that were at a similar elevation. The big difference between the two situation was that during bow season the elk I was hunting were feeding at night right next to a state highway. And I mean right next to it. In that unique scenario, there was more refuge and food next to the highway than there was in the 3 miles deep in the wilderness area nearby. The wilderness saw a lot of traffic as everyone was thinking to get away from the roads, and no one was creative enough to park and walk a mile parallel the highway before they started hunting like I did. Remember, the bulls will be near the cows during the rut, and the cows are not afraid to feed in a wet meadow right off the road if you can't see it from the road and people can't easily park there and hunt them from the road even if they did see them.

As far as conditioning goes, cardio, cardio, cardio. Maybe throw in some squats and lunges to develop leg strength. But mostly worry about cardio.

 

[diamond hitch]

Leg weights and stairs. The issue is endurance; not a sprint.

 

[Pilgrim]

I agree with the focus on legs and cardio, but don't forget core. As a mid-50's flat-lander, I've found that squats (not too much weight) and hiking with a 60 lb. sand bag in my hunting pack are good for leg strength and core, and a couple days a week on the elliptical help with the cardio. Push-ups, sit-ups, and planks also help with core strength. This combo has allowed me to put in 5 - 8 miles a day at 7000 - 9000 feet without any trouble.

 

[buffybr]

I agree with the focus on legs and cardio, but don't forget core. As a mid-50's flat-lander, I've found that squats (not too much weight) and hiking with a 60 lb. sand bag in my hunting pack are good for leg strength and core, and a couple days a week on the elliptical help with the cardio. Push-ups, sit-ups, and planks also help with core strength. This combo has allowed me to put in 5 - 8 miles a day at 7000 - 9000 feet without any trouble.

That's about as good a workout routine as I've seen to prepare for elk hunting. My training routine has been to play golf 5 or 6 days a week all summer. Walking, of course.

And don't forget to practice with your rifle. Don't just check the zero of your rifle. Shoot at least 10 shots a week for several weeks before your hunt, and shoot from field positions at targets out to at least 300 yards.

For the past 10 or so years I've enjoyed watching a herd of 50 - 180 elk in the hayfields (about 5,000' elevation) below my house, from September through November. The landowners there don't allow hunting on their land.