Tip 1: Mountain Hunting Physical Preparation

[@reggierico]

The most notable aspect of LACK of proper preparation is not knowing about lack of oxygen in the high mountain elevations. My first trip to the mountains of Montana taught me that lesson. Our camp was at 5,000 ft and we hunted around 7,500-8,500 ft elevation daily. If you live at sea level, like me, that is going to be an issue. I was in pretty good condition, but still carried some extra pounds. It took 3 days of all day climbing/hunting to get used to the altitude aspect of the hunt.

[@markhatfield5621]

I live at sea level and a couple times tried hunting at 9800 feet. Even driving there and living at that elevation for 10 days prior was not enough.

[@xavieralejandrorodriguezca3531]

hilarious that you have like 2 playlists and one of them is just Bodies by Droiwning Pool. rock on man

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Hey Jeff, I've never run into that. Our mountains must not be that much higher than Whitehorse.

[@Running_towards_adventure]

Listened to the Exo Mountain podcast you were so I looked up your videos here. I’m a multi deployment veteran during the war in terror, and over the last year battled anxiety and weight gain. Listening to you in the podcast and your videos and give me the kick in the butt I needed to start training again, lose the extra weight, and get into the mountains to hunt. This mornin I ran with my 12 year old daughter, who is an amazing athlete, and asked if she wanted to get into adventure racing with me as well as hunting. So a big thanks to your willingness to share your knowledge, and the encouragement you’ve given me through the social media platforms to get back into the body and shape I had even a year or so ago.

[@gregmchale7957]

First off, I want to thank you for your service to keeping those of us who live in North America safe against those who do not have the same beliefs as we do. As a neighbour to the North we to appreciate your sacrifice. I find it difficult to explain how much a message like your means to me as this is exactly why I have chosen to put myself out there to the world. If I can make a small difference to a hero like yourself then I am serving my purpose. Connecting with your daughter through athletics is the best and healthiest way for your family to bring pure joy to each other. If you do an adventure race together please send me a photo. I would love to here the story.

[@Running_towards_adventure]

Thank you for the reply and the encouragement! I’ll send a picture once we are able to compete. 🙏🙏

[@north61]

Ok..I'll be watching. I have a bit of a knee issue which is aggravated by running, less so by walking or even rucking up hills with a load. I have gone from 310 to 260 pounds over the last 14 months and have 40 pounds more to go. Long and slow is better for old-fat guys I think. Maybe at 220 I can start to run again. Promised to bring my boy sheep hunting this summer here in the Yukon so I'll be watching. Thanks for posting this and glad to see you converting something you obviously love into total life style.

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Running is great, but if you can't run, there is lots of other stuff to do. Yes, it's the long game!

[@gregmchale7957]

First off, congratulations on all the gains you have made to this point over the last 14 months . I wish you and you son the best of luck this sheep season. Thank you for following along and I appreciate your support. Please, spread the work if you feel that this is providing value. feel free to fire me specific questons you may have, and I will do my best to help.

[@north61]

@@gregmchale7957 Will do!

[@IHWKR]

How did your hunt go?

[@greghertzberg6220]

Two thumbs up from a guy who shoots elk above 11,000 every year. I start my plan in spring and manage it like a marathon. The closer i am to season the more training i am doing until i can do 4,000 vertical a day back to back and not blink or have a giant day of 6500 and have enough to keep going. If you missed a shot AND your exhausted its a double tragedy because physical exhaustion lends itself to psycological despair.

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Sounds like you've felt the despair a few times, Greg! You've got a solid plan for your training. How about your buddies?

[@adub688]

Lunges with a 100lbs pack is my favorite workout, I live in Houston so the heat and humidity is pretty unbearable sometimes, training in my warehouse has seemed to help me a lot because of how hot it gets, it’s hard to breathe. I try to use my hunting pack/frame as much as possible for my workouts. Been at it for about a year so far. I got so into hunting I became a wrangler for an elk outfit in Colorado this past season.

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

That's a heavy pack for lunges. Have you seen my step-up video?

[@adub688]

@@GregMcHalesWildYukon no, I’ll check it out.

[@dad3562]

I am beyond jealous that’s awesome. Well done!

[@elkstalker6148]

Greg, continue to inspire us to get after it and go on these adventures! Big fan of yours and hope to meet you one day! I am going on my first sheep hunt (lower 48 resident) and have your videos on repeat. Thanks for all you do.

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Thank you! Maybe we'll cross paths at the Sheep Show and you can tell me about your first hunt. Good luck!

[@bandabanderos]

I agree. Really getting into mountain hunting now and they are brutal. Plus the lack of oxygen is something most don’t take into account. You can never overtrain for a mountain hunt.

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

We don't have to deal with oxygen issues here, but we do bring it out as an excuse when we're hurting!

[@bandabanderos]

Greg McHale's Wild Yukon 😂

[@RangerDoc05]

Couldn't agree more Greg.....you're a wealth of knowledge and glad to see you guys coming out with these videos. Like we say all the time at Train to Hunt, the most important piece of equipment you will bring on any backcountry hunt is you!! Keep it up buddy.....I'll be following these videos.......Ryan C.

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Roger that. We've got tons in the pipeline.

[@RetrieverTrainingAlone]

Endurance is so important because the days are so long. For example, Sheep season opens Aug 10 where I live in Alaska and the daylength can be over 20 hours....if you have the endurance to walk just 1 mile per hour, that could be 60 miles in 3 days..if you have the endurance....

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

That's pretty compelling math! It's one thing to power through day one, but if you're too busted up to continue on days 2, 3... 7... you're going to come up with excuses.

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

I pull a large Jeep tire around my neighborhood as I live at 157ft elevation no mountains. It is a killer cardio workout makes me feel like my chest will explode have to take breaks. Great video

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

The tire can be an amazing tool for fitness and suffering!

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

@@GregMcHalesWildYukon it expands my lungs and give me that diaphragm feeling like its going to explode just like the mountains. It’s all a flatlander has lol

[@forresthumphreys8725]

Good motivation. Love your show!

[@stevengrant6180]

Great stuff Greg, heard you on the Hunt Backcountry Podcast, couldn’t have come at a better time. I will be following

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Thanks, Steven!

[@perryknetter8577]

Thank I'm a truck driver

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

You'll have challenges staying fit, but when you're done driving, you'll be glad you did!

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

I have so many physical issues that I would be an extreme liability on a mountain hunt, as much as I would love to do one. I am not wasting anyone's time pretending to be something I am not. Unless you have a mountain that has a ski lift to the top, WiFi connectivity and a solar powered beer dispenser. And a goat chained to a pole with a bulls eye painted on his side.

[@sickboy1031]

G.O.A.T of goats

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Haha, thanks for watching!

[@tylermarvier2666]

For some reason i feel more fit hunting in mountains and feel weak on rolling hills. Don’t know why

[@GregMcHalesWildYukon]

Good question. Do you get much training in on flatter terrain? Do you push the pace a bit? You may be better a lower-speed cruising and less good when the pace increases.