Safety first! Consult your physician before taking part in any physical activity program.
Some of us can’t dive right in to this relationship and expect to be best friends. It would be a good idea to slowly work your way into it. Don’t try to drag that deer out of the woods all by yourself if [...]
Safety first! Consult your physician before taking part in any physical activity program.
Some of us can’t dive right in to this relationship and expect to be best friends. It would be a good idea to slowly work your way into it. Don’t try to drag that deer out of the woods all by yourself if you haven’t been practicing by yourself at home. (No, that doesn’t mean I want you to drag a deer carcass around your back yard. That would be gross and probably receive the wrong kind of attention.) Find an exercise that mimics that action which will strengthen the same muscles. Likewise, for goodness sake, don’t pull the bow out of the case and think you’ll be able to hold it back at full draw for three minutes like you could when you thought cheeseburgers were a vegetable. You’re not a kid anymore! By the way, if you are a kid reading this article, you won’t be a kid forever, so ponder my words.
Same thing with quail hunting. Walking through fields all day holding a shotgun and a backpack full of water bottles and a first aid kit for the Pointers is more challenging than strolling through the parking lot to your office with your rolling computer bag in tow. You’re gonna get tired. Practice at home. Perform some exercises during the off season so your body can perform during the season.
The right tool for the job!
Don’t rely on the four wheeler. It may be easy to think, “No problem. The four wheeler can get me anywhere I want to go.” Wrong. There may be a situation where tracking a wounded deer is necessary. There’s no 4 wheeler trails where deer like to hide. Also, what if you have a flat tire, mechanical problem or run out of gas? You may need to walk a long way back to camp. With your gear. When it’s hot outside… Get the idea?
All right, I’m gonna go ahead and say it. Yoga. Yep, let me give you some time to let that sink in. Go ahead, take your time. Calmed down yet? No? Okay, I understand. I’ll give you some more time………………………………there. Take a breath, calm down and keep reading.
I have been more flexible, toned and less injury prone when I have been in the routine of doing yoga, even once or twice a week. It is possible to receive the physical benefits of yoga without the cosmic, new age, “Let the molecules of your body enjoy harmony with the forces of the universe.” type speak that often accompanies the workout. Mostly, yoga is about stretching properly. In the process, your muscles become toned and your joints become more flexible. You begin to feel more loose. I’ve bowhunted for years. I know how difficult it can be to hold a bow at full draw for just a few seconds, especially if it doesn’t have a high let-off percentage. This is a perfect example of how yoga can help. It’s nice. It’s not sissy, hippie, weird or just a girl thing. It’s a great way to work out with less chance of injuring yourself. Here’s some info that might make things a bit easier to swallow…You can do this in the privacy of your own home, where no one can make fun of you. Just buy a yoga mat, a yoga DVD, pop it into the player, and do this next to your spouse or very understanding friend.
Again, talk to your doctor first. Tell your doctor what kind of activities you’ll be doing during the season. You need not become the next triathlon champion, but do something. Your booty will thank you for it!
