Hunting Report & Physical Fit Importance

[Bowman]

Hi All just wanted to add a few of my issues I had yesterday. stomping out on the woods.
first of all, I have being doing this most of my life. and and I am not a rookie. but just as a warning to others.

First off, the area we were scouting\hunting was rugged, and steep, it was very beautiful area. there should have been a deer a round every corner. but as Don said there was not much sign or scat. which really was puzzling. there should have been more sign.

The lilac, sage , and buck brush was very thick and very difficult to walk through. and being there and have done that many
times. get in that stuff all you want to do it get out of it. I suggested we hike down in the the creek area, because it had lots of oak trees.
and generally it is not bad hiking. so I assumed wrong. It was thick with wild rose with thorns, buck brush, sage, and lilac. it was very thick in there. and o yes there was poison oak and sumac every where. had to hike carefully to stay out of that stuff.

Now about the physical fit part. Gear is very important , I think I met my match yesterday. because I was not fit as I thought., yes I smoke Tabbaco. I was struggling with my wind, secondly I had under estimated the difficulty of the hike. I had water but not nearly enough. and the heat took it's toll. so combination of not as physically fit as I should be, lack of water, stamina for endurance. I say this story as a warning.
Please stay safe out there, I made several mistakes, and if it was not for Don being there I could have been in more trouble.
If I want to continue with this hobby, I need to get in better physical shape, quit smoking, and never ever under estimate the difficult terrain on a hot day. carry a water purification straw, because you can never carry enough water. plenty of food to sustain the calories needed. and always try to hike with a buddy. and carry lots of food and water. I believe that my tenacity, and Don's encouragement kept me from getting real trouble yesterday. Being an older guy. it getting tougher. Please add any any suggestions. to contribute to this post.

Ghost

 

[msteiger]

You need a young apprentice. Find a strong young noob who will benefit from your experience and drag you out of the brush when you get in trouble.

 

[kylemg0009]

You need a young apprentice. Find a strong young noob who will benefit from your experience and drag you out of the brush when you get in trouble.

I can always offer my "noobness"! I have a lot of opportunities to benefit from any and all experiences

 

[Bonejour]

You need a young apprentice. Find a strong young noob who will benefit from your experience and drag you out of the brush when you get in trouble.

Good point Matt, as long as the noob has experience with orienteering or at least backcountry hiking, and good fitness. Many of the new hunters on here are very experienced outdoorsmen. But not all are fit, and some are new to all forms of outdoor activities. I wouldn't have just any noob go out on a hike like that, or we'd have two folks in trouble instead of one. But Lee carries a wealth of experience and knowledge around in his head and whatever it takes to keep him in the field, I'm in favor!
...By the way, what do you consider "young"?

 

[Josh Pearson]

This is a good post and something to be taken seriously. When I first started hunting with SDbirds about two and half years ago I was not in hiking shape whatsoever and really struggled on some of the longer hikes we went on. It even got to the point where I fell down several times out of sheer fatigue. I'm lucky I didn't get hurt because the areas I fell down in had no cell service and would have required Johnny to first hike out and then contact emergency services. A helicopter rescue would have been the only way out of the areas we were hunting in. After hunting with Johnny that entire season I can safely say I made leaps and bounds as far as conditioning was concerned but only because we hiked on a regular basis. I also decided to start carrying a little bit more gear than I used to in case of an emergency. For example I always carry a lighter and a magnesium fire starting tool in addition to a set of long johns and poncho in case I have to unexpectedly stay overnight in the woods. A life straw or water filter is something I should already be carrying but will add in the immediate future. These items are extra weight in my pack but could save my life if something goes wrong. The point I'm trying to make is to get in shape before hunting season starts or better yet stay in shape year round and take the time to really think about the items you bring with you into remote areas that are difficult to access because these items may end up saving your life.

 

[Bonejour]

You need a young apprentice. Find a strong young noob who will benefit from your experience and drag you out of the brush when you get in trouble.

I can always offer my "noobness"! I have a lot of opportunities to benefit from any and all experiences

 

[Bowman]

Josh & Don bring up to good suggestions, and no offense to any here because your young does not mean you are in good physical fit condition to hike rugged steep terrain. you must train just like any other sport. and stay fit. & this was my mistake yesterday.

Don and I kept our heads yesterday. although I was struggling, I did not panic. and we stayed calm. Don is in very good shape. and he is only 3 years younger than me. I was very impressed. with stamina. Lucky for me he was carrying more water than I was.

I would suggest to all carry a good fire starter, a survival straw. and plenty of food and water. a good machete would have been awesome yesterday. a heavy duty contractors trash bag, will keep you warm and dry on a pinch.
I know there's much much more. but then it gets a bit much. and I only human there are a lot of very good experience guys here.

any body here wants to go out on a lighter hike scout or hunt they are welcome to go out with me.
the offer is out there any time, as time permits. I have a place were I want to camp. but just be advised that I will be busy
with buying and selling and moving so my time will be limited this year.
but any one can PM and I can try to make time.

Don is a very excellent hunting partner and even thou I had difficulty I actual had good time.
I fully recovered today and ready for the next hike. getting in better shape is the key.
Thanks Don

edit : if you like to hunt alone or even if you don't, I can not stress enough to buy one of these.
I have been talking about and looking them but I believe after getting no signal yesterday.
I need to make this investment $300-$400, to save your life is cheap.
Personnel distress beacon
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Personal-Locator-Beacon-Reviews


Ghost

 

[Bonejour]

Josh & Don bring up to good suggestions, and no offense to any here because your young does not mean you are in good physical fit condition to hike rugged steep terrain. you must train just like any other sport. and stay fit. & this was my mistake yesterday.

Don and I kept our heads yesterday. although I was struggling, I did not panic. and we stayed calm. Don is in very good shape. and he is only 3 years younger than me. I was very impressed. with stamina. Lucky for me he was carrying more water than I was.

I would suggest to all carry a good fire starter, a survival straw. and plenty of food and water. a good machete would have been awesome yesterday. a heavy duty contractors trash bag, will keep you warm and dry on a pinch.
I know there's much much more. but then it gets a bit much. and I only human there are a lot of very good experience guys here.

any body here wants to go out on a lighter hike scout or hunt they are welcome to go out with me.
the offer is out there any time, as time permits. I have a place were I want to camp. but just be advised that I will be busy
with buying and selling and moving so my time will be limited this year.
but any one can PM and I can try to make time.

Don is a very excellent hunting partner and even thou I had difficulty I actual had good time.
I fully recovered today and ready for the next hike. getting in better shape is the key.
Thanks Don

edit : if you like to hunt alone or even if you don't, I can not stress enough to buy one of these.
I have been talking about and looking them but I believe after getting no signal yesterday.
I need to make this investment $300-$400, to save your life is cheap.
Personnel distress beacon
http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Personal-Locator-Beacon-Reviews


Ghost

Right on brotha!

 

[msteiger]

One of my favorite things about hunting is that it's inspired me to take my fitness to a higher level. I was in OK shape the last 2 years, but I've been training hard since the end of last season. Getting my butt kicked on a couple of long hikes in January lit a fire.

I like the idea of the filter straw. I always carry a metal water bottle so I could boil water if need be. But in our desert collecting it into the bottle might be a challenge. Also fires have their own hazard, when all you want is a drink.

I have a lightweight emergency kit I always carry. Matches, magnesium fire starter, space blanket, band aids, alcohol wipes (also a fire starter), gauze pads, assorted OTC meds, small knife, TP, and a small plastic shovel. I always pack dried figs, almonds, granola bars, and twice the water I think I'll need.

 

[msteiger]

You need a young apprentice. Find a strong young noob who will benefit from your experience and drag you out of the brush when you get in trouble.

Good point Matt, as long as the noob has experience with orienteering or at least backcountry hiking, and good fitness. Many of the new hunters on here are very experienced outdoorsmen. But not all are fit, and some are new to all forms of outdoor activities. I wouldn't have just any noob go out on a hike like that, or we'd have two folks in trouble instead of one. But Lee carries a wealth of experience and knowledge around in his head and whatever it takes to keep him in the field, I'm in favor!
...By the way, what do you consider "young"?

I was thinking round about 40 or below. Let me know if you need a hiking buddy.

 

[Bonejour]

You need a young apprentice. Find a strong young noob who will benefit from your experience and drag you out of the brush when you get in trouble.

Good point Matt, as long as the noob has experience with orienteering or at least backcountry hiking, and good fitness. Many of the new hunters on here are very experienced outdoorsmen. But not all are fit, and some are new to all forms of outdoor activities. I wouldn't have just any noob go out on a hike like that, or we'd have two folks in trouble instead of one. But Lee carries a wealth of experience and knowledge around in his head and whatever it takes to keep him in the field, I'm in favor!
...By the way, what do you consider "young"?

I was thinking round about 40 or below. Let me know if you need a hiking buddy.

Lol will do

 

[Bowman]

One of my favorite things about hunting is that it's inspired me to take my fitness to a higher level. I was in OK shape the last 2 years, but I've been training hard since the end of last season. Getting my butt kicked on a couple of long hikes in January lit a fire.

I like the idea of the filter straw. I always carry a metal water bottle so I could boil water if need be. But in our desert collecting it into the bottle might be a challenge. Also fires have their own hazard, when all you want is a drink.

I have a lightweight emergency kit I always carry. Matches, magnesium fire starter, space blanket, band aids, alcohol wipes (also a fire starter), gauze pads, assorted OTC meds, small knife, TP, and a small plastic shovel. I always pack dried figs, almonds, granola bars, and twice the water I think I'll need.

Matt

I say that's a very good kit. add a SOS distress beacon. and chlorine tablets.

I too normally carry an aluminum canteen or stainless steel bottle for that reason

Ghost

 

[msteiger]

Now that you mention it Lee, I think I do have chlorine tablets in there too.

No doubt a distress beacon would be a game changer in a true catastrophe. Worth thinking about.

 

[Bowman]

Matt, Don ,& Josh and to all

I did a little research. most persons who had one of these (SOS Beacon) if were in trouble were always found.
the sad truth is people who did not have an SOS beacon some were never found. something to think about.

Ghost

 

[Bowman]

This is a good post and something to be taken seriously. When I first started hunting with SDbirds about two and half years ago I was not in hiking shape whatsoever and really struggled on some of the longer hikes we went on. It even got to the point where I fell down several times out of sheer fatigue. I'm lucky I didn't get hurt because the areas I fell down in had no cell service and would have required Johnny to first hike out and then contact emergency services. A helicopter rescue would have been the only way out of the areas we were hunting in. After hunting with Johnny that entire season I can safely say I made leaps and bounds as far as conditioning was concerned but only because we hiked on a regular basis. I also decided to start carrying a little bit more gear than I used to in case of an emergency. For example I always carry a lighter and a magnesium fire starting tool in addition to a set of long johns and poncho in case I have to unexpectedly stay overnight in the woods. A life straw or water filter is something I should already be carrying but will add in the immediate future. These items are extra weight in my pack but could save my life if something goes wrong. The point I'm trying to make is to get in shape before hunting season starts or better yet stay in shape year round and take the time to really think about the items you bring with you into remote areas that are difficult to access because these items may end up saving your life.

Josh

thank you for post and suggestions.

Ghost

 

[Josh Pearson]

No problem ghost. An SOS beacon would definitely be a lifesaver.

 

[Eric pecan]

Nice suggestions on the sos beacon Ghost.

 

[Lungpopper]

Sounds like an exciting yet exhausting hike. Ghost how much water did you start out with?

 

[Bowman]

Sounds like an exciting yet exhausting hike. Ghost how much water did you start out with?

LP
You put on the spot. 2 16 oz bottles, And a 20 oz juice. Like I said not near enough. Yet I had 2 gallons in the truck with my
40 oz SS bottle, 32 oz canteen. I don't use a camel bag. I guess old school. What normally what I do is carry my canteen, with my SS bottle. And carry extra water in my backpack. So I may rethink this. SS bottle is for boiling water. And so is my canteen.
if I had my survival straw, or even my chlorine tabs, there was plenty of water in the creek. Bad mistake.
Never again.

Ghost

 

[CaptJgray]

so how do they know that the ones that were never found did not have an SOS beacon???

just kidding

this is a great thread, and as I have told others that hunt with me and as I have been training my kids, the first thing that was taught to me by my grandfather was before you go in make sure you have a way out...

And don't ever shoot an animal in an area that is going to be difficult to get out of without one.

I have found myself passing up a lot of shots on animals that were in a bad spot just to end up finding them where i want them to be at some point. we all want to score a nice buck or pig, but I would much rather see my kids again or not have to deal with spoiled meat because I got pinned in somewhere and couldn't salvage it in time. Its fun to explore, but know your limitations. And remember your not gonna twist a knee at the top...