Getting ready for hunting season!

It's fall, it's Montana, it's time many start their push to "fill the freezers".  A couple of our PT's here at Alpine are big hunting enthusiasts and look forward to the yearly trek into the backcountry.  In fact, Colter Brown, DPT from our South office, is currently somewhere in Wyoming scrambling around the high country looking for big horn sheep.  Fortunately, before he skipped outta town he graciously put together some thoughts and exercises that would be helpful preparing for safely getting out in the woods, and bringing home enough game to fill the freezer.  
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1. Start now, don't wait any longer to begin training.
2. Working unilateral (PT speak for single leg) loading exercises (step-ups, lunges, single leg balance, single leg RDL, etc.) will be better than traditional squats, deadlifts, etc.
3. Do some heavy pack training, don't avoid this. Start with a lighter load and build the load as the season nears.
4. Get a good quality backpack and train with that pack.
5. Build and work on mental toughness. The difference with backcountry hunting relative to most sports is the multi-day demands potentially followed by a heavy pack out. This will be difficult, get ready.

Here are some exercises that Colter suggests for prepping your body for a backcountry hikes and hunts.  If you find you need some more guidance, or are having trouble with them due to joint(s) pain, give Alpine PT a call.  Any of our therapists can help you work on a fitness program specific to backcountry hunting or rehabilitating after a weekend warrior injury.

hunt_program.pdf
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