Hunting Hard? 6 Tips to Stay Strong on a Wilderness Hunt

1. Nutrient Load Before Your Trip

This doesn’t mean you should eat yourself sick before the big trip but definitely amp up the calories a bit. Focus on nutrient rich vegetables, high quality protein sources like game and grass fed beef and wholesome carbs like wild rice. Starting at 2-3 days before the trip, eat an extra serving at each meal so you have more to burn on the trip. Also eat bananas and potassium rich foods to prevent cramps when you are hard on the trail.

2. Stretch

Many hunters forget to stretch during the trip. You stretch before and after home workouts right? Stretch out throughout the day while you’re on the mountain. Take short breaks to stretch out and interrupt any repetitive movements. This is especially important when you hike long distances.

3. Move Slowly

Avoid letting your excitement get in the way of good judgement. Move slowly and methodically to avoid overstressing your body and to prevent spooking game. Be observant as you walk and stop to glass, resting as you go. You can move slowly all day and be thorough on the mountain.

4. Hydrate

This should go without saying but many hunters overlook hydration. Drink when water is available and drink even when you are not thirsty. I have a habit of getting side-tracked and forgetting to drink water myself. I notice that my muscles fatigue easily and take longer to recover when I am dehydrated. Drink regardless of conditions, including in the frigid cold.

5. Supplements

Supplements are not a necessity but they don’t hurt either. I recommend testing supplements during the training process to see how your body responds. The last thing you want is a stomachache in the field. Wilderness Athlete sells Hydrate and Recover packets that will help you absorb water and stay charged throughout the trip. Keep your supplement options simple and gain as much nutritional value as possible through your food sources.

6. Eating in the Field

On most of our moose and mountain caribou hunts, you’ll be staying in a spike cabin or camp with hot meals to begin and end each day. In some spike camp situations, perhaps on a on our stone sheep hunt, we may pack dehydrated meals like Mountain house. In either case however, it’s important to properly refuel your body each day.

You will burn a ton of calories in the field so don’t hold back at mealtime. Go for those calorie-dense options. We will provide a variety of options to pack your lunch each day. But if you have preferred snacks, you might consider bringing protein bars, nuts, or other desired foods that are easy to pack and provide a good amount of fuel.

Wilderness Hunts in British Columbia

To learn more about guided wilderness hunts in British Columbia with Kawdy outfitters, you can explore the rest of our website. For availability or other specifics, please don’t hesitate to contact us.