Exercising for a Pheasant Hunt

Sometimes pheasant hunters are deceived by how their sport seems to be a simple stroll. The ease of access—stepping out of the truck and walking a few feet to the field cause many to arrive not fit for pheasant hunting. After all, there are no large heavy deer stands or blinds to tote through the woods. No waterfowl decoys to lug while wearing clumsy waders and slopping through muddy marsh waters. When successful, pheasants can be slid into a vest pouch, and no dragging a heavy hauling loads is required.

When hunters are not fit for pheasant hunting, though, it can affect their performance and spoil the valuable time they set aside for a hunting trip. Tim Weddington, owner and guide at 10 Gauge Outfitters, said, “Out-of-shape hunters get fatigued and can’t shoot well.”

Group of gentlemen enjoying a pheasant hunt with their guide.

Since pheasant and quail hunting can take hunters through miles of physically demanding walking, stick to a routine of both cardiovascular and strength training four to six days a week.

Keys for Being Fit for Pheasant Hunting

1. It normally takes the heart about five weeks to get conditioned for a specific activity, so don’t wait until November 1 to start.
2. Work out with a partner; it helps consistency.
3. Jog or bike regularly. Check with your physician about target heart ranges for your age. Walking can be just as effective. Try to cover at least two to three miles at a brisk pace every outing. Occasionally walk while wearing your upland hunting boots in different types of terrain, such as in tall grass at a park.
4. When strength training, avoid working only one part of the body. You’ll need resilience in your arms, back and shoulders to carry and use a shotgun. You’ll need leg strength for those long days of walking. Squats, various types of lunges and the Romanian dead lift work an appropriate balance of muscles in your legs.
5. Push-ups and crunches are always excellent exercises that develop good upper body and core strength. If lower back soreness plagues you, check into hamstring stretches and other ways to improve abdominal strength besides the usual crunches.

Start with three or four sets of 8-12 repetitions of each exercise.

Hunters of all ages can reap benefits from strength training; just be sure to give your body a day or two of recovery before working that muscle group again. Get in shape before your arrive on your next Kansas pheasant hunt.