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sheep shape
Posted by Carnivore on Mar 21 2006
Hike - Hike - Hike
Mike had some good suggestions in detail below.
If your able to access your hunting area, hiking it can pay rewards as you're scouting at the same time. If not find some mountains you can get to that have sheep and hike there. It'll really get your appetite going for your hunt and allow you to study sheep behavior, practice stalks, practice judging range in the mountains, practice judging sheep size (legal or not/trophy or not). Carry your camera and be a hunter with it.
Several years ago I was planning to go as a packer on two other sheep hunts. One was for my wife and another for a friend that was new to the sport. Knowing I would end up doing the greater portion of the packing, I hiked 2 - 3 days a week all summer, increasing the weight in my pack as time progressed. By sheep season I felt like I was very ready for the task. I also had some great memories and photos to help make them last.
I realize not everyone has a job that will allow that much time in the mountains (I'm a school teacher). In addition, other hobbies can get in the way, especially if you like to fish. I have a large lawn with hills. When I mowed, I did it with my pack on. I'd fill a collapsable water jug and slide it in my pack. Getting under the deck and such gave me some of the twisting work Mike talked about. Made for some funny photos (my wife has a sense of humor) but I don't have much for neighbors, so the ribbing was minimal.
Lunges can really help build the climbing muscles. Put your pack on with some weight. Take a stride forward lowering the knee of your trailing leg to the ground. Lift up to your lead leg pulling the trail leg to meet it. Then extend to your toes and hold for a couple count. Step forward with the other leg and repeat the process. Proceed with caution. It does not take much weight to make you really hurt the next couple of days. You can amplify the workout by extending the stride further and/or adding weight as you get in shape.
Nothing better than going into your sheep hunt KNOWING you are physically ready to do what ever it takes to be successful.
-Carnivore
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