How To train for an archery mule deer hunt

By: Zach Petrone Rocky Mountain Strength Founder/Trainer

If you are planning a mule deer hunt, being physically and mentally prepared for the challenge is crucial to success. Bow hunting for mule deer will likely take you to a different elevation than a late-season rifle hunt. No matter when your hunt takes place, you need to be prepared for the elevation you’ll be hunting and the weather conditions during the hunt. 

High-altitude hunts can make breathing difficult and quickly tire out even the fittest individuals. Fortunately, pre-season training will help mule deer hunters make the most of their opportunity. The sooner you start training for your hunt, the better–there’s no time like the present! 

Endurance & Strength

To prepare for your hunt, focus on building endurance and strength. For the mountain mule deer hunter, blending various intensities of conditioning and lifting weights is key to preparing your body for the demands of the high country.

Rotating hiking, running, and rucking is a great way to condition at varying intensities and mimic the different speeds you might need to move while on a hunt. Try to focus on keeping your heart rate consistently in a fat-burning zone (ZONE 2). Training your Zone 2 heart rate increases mitochondrial flexibility in your body–put simply, it enables your body to use fat as an energy source more efficiently and for longer periods of time. How do you find your Zone 2 heart rate? Subtract your age from 180 (180 - your age = ~Zone 2) to get an approximation of your Zone 2 heart rate. 

Strength training can help you prepare for carrying heavy packs and equipment over steep terrain. Some MUST-DO exercises for a mule deer hunt include: 

• Weighted Pack Box Up n Overs (45-65 LB pack) (3 x 90 Sec) 

Building your strength  and endurance for scenarios in mule deer country like steep hillsides, down timber and high elevation hunts- being used to weight on your back and continually stepping over objects or up on objects. 

• Sled Push/Pull (4x25yds) 

  A long packout is grueling weight on your whole body, and by building your strength and conditioning through sled work, it gives you the muscular endurance and strength to keep pushing on and taking less rest on your way off the mountain. 

• Overhead Single Arm Carries (4x25yds/each side)

My shoulders are the first to go with a heavy pack full of meat or gear. Creating strong shoulders and good mobility and range of motion can help give those shoulders some relief behind your tight pack straps. 

Altitude Acclimation

High-altitude hunts are not for the faint of heart. Going into the hunt as physically prepared as possible is important; it is equally important to acclimate to the high altitude before your hunt. Consider arriving a few days early for your hunt to give your body time to adjust. Even with all your hard work and preparation in the off-season, it won’t mean a thing if you’re stuck in your sleeping bag with altitude sickness.

Practice Real-World Shooting

It’s easy to set up your foam target and shoot fixed distances from a standing position or a shooting line and take for granted that you’ll have what it takes to make the shot in the field when the stakes are high. Don’t hope you’ll have what it takes at the moment of truth–prepare for it and know you’re ready. Practice shooting in various positions, at difficult or uncomfortable angles, and odd distances to improve your accuracy with your bow or rifle. Practice shooting after a workout or in between sets to replicate the fatigue you’re likely to experience on a backcountry hunt.

Proper training and preparation–or lack thereof–can make or break a successful high-elevation hunt. If you plan on hunting in Colorado or anywhere along the Rocky Mountains, be sure to check our Rocky Mountain Strength (www.rockymtnstrength.com) for high altitude training, high heart rate shooting techniques, general hunting strength & condition programs, and events to be as prepared as possible.