shaping up

Signs you need to get in shape to sab:

1. The last time you went hiking was in scouts. 
2. Your idea of heaven is a pint of Soy Delicious at ever meal. 
3. You make a skeleton look fat.
4. Hour long protests get you winded.
5. You bought a tread mill for the dog.
6. You drive to the neighbor's house.

Hunt sabbing is not extremely physical, but, if the shit hits the fan, it is a good idea if you can run at least a block or two.  If you have a medical condition that prohibits you from exercise, use common sense. There are many ways to fight hunting. 

As a goal, you should attempt to exceed these minimum fitness requirements:

Learn what trees you can quickly and safely climb 10-15 feet.  Some animals do not appreciate human intrusion of any kind, and most large animals in the woods can easily outrun you.  The ability to quickly climb can help you avoid injury.

Hike for 5-10 miles.  Not all hunters are near the parking lot.

Lift 50-75 pounds once.  It is recommended that you sab with a few friends within radio contact for the first few outings.  If there is a problem, being able to help them to their feet is a useful skill.

Sprint/run at full speed one to two blocks.

Learn self defense or a martial art. Besides the practical defense knowledge, knowing how to defend yourself can boost your confidence when facing a threat.

suggestions:

If you are a  student check to see if there is  a gym you can use for free.

Join the YMCA/YWCA which are usually cheaper that other gyms.

If you live in a city with Critical Mass, join in the ride. www.critical-mass.org

http://www.veganbodybuilding.com/

Fitness for Hunters

http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/sportsed/huntfit.htm

Start now to be physically fit for a safer and more enjoyable hunting season.

Every hunting season is marred by a rash of heart attacks. In fact, heart attacks take a higher toll than careless hunting practices. Walking while carrying gear, spotting and shooting at a deer, and dragging out a carcass can cause more stress than the heart can handle. That's especially true if you are not physically active, smoke, have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or other health problems.

Hunting is more fun and a lot safer when you're not tired and out of breath. Physical fitness will enable you to cover more ground when hunting, get your game out of the woods easier, and avoid clumsiness and dangerous lapses of concentration and caution that accompany exhaustion. Fitness makes you a better shot, too. Shooting while out of breath is not productive.

If you don't exercise regularly, the unaccustomed excitement and exertion in the field can be dangerous. It's a good idea to start building up your endurance before hunting season. But you don't have to train like a marathon runner. Any activity that gets you moving around, even if it's done for just a few minutes each day, can start strengthening your heart and lungs.

Physical activity will also help you lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk for some cancers, control weight and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints. Choose an activity you enjoy doing and get a partner or a pet to share it with you. Try walking, bicycling, jogging, gardening, hiking, bowling or dancing. Be creative: park your car a distance from work or get off the bus early and walk the rest of the way; take the stairs, and at lunch walk around the block. Also, malls are ideal for walking in any weather.

Two other good things you can do for your heart are to make healthful, low-fat meal choices and to avoid tobacco. The NYS Health Department recommends eating at least five fruits and vegetables a day and drinking non-fat (skim) or low fat (1 percent) milk. Get in shape now to make your next hunting season the best one you ever enjoyed.

Following are fitness tips recommended by the NYS Department of Health:

Hiking

	As with any season, it is crucial to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back. Know your location and the surrounding areas.
	Know your hunting season dates and locations- remember hunting is year-round. Some states don’t allow hunting on Sundays.
	Realize that muzzle loader, archery and other non-rifle seasons are going to be much less heavily hunted. Rifle season is the biggest worry.
	Don’t fear fowl season. The guns are usually pointing up and those hunters well within range of not mistaking you or Fido as a dove or pheasant. It’s mostly deer season you need to be concerned about.
	Wear Hunter Safety orange. Lots of it. Probably not as much as I can do (head to toe, most gear), but a hunter’s safety vest is worth the $1-2. Make sure your dog is also wearing some sort of orange. The same style hunter’s vest that you wear will also work on your dog if you can’t find a canine-specific cape. Put his legs through the arm holes, bring the front panels under his belly and pin together on top. Criss-crossing under the belly helps with keeping it in place. Cabela’s and WolfPacks both sell ID capes. Most of the Cabela’s style are made to protect the dog from brush, fences or water while hunting as well. Many mushing outfitters do as well. Bandanas are also good, and it doesn’t hurt to have an orange bandana for signaling any time of the year.
	Don’t wear brown or white- the bad apples who would mistake you for a deer are only encouraged by these colors.
	Make noise- sing, talk, crash through the woods. Make sure people know you’re coming through. You can tie a sleigh bell to the dog’s pack as well- this might even be good in bear country the rest of the year. If you see a hunter, call out your location.
	Stick to protected lands- if there are parks or forests or even private lands available that do not allow hunting- try those. You’d be safer, but remember sometimes people will hunt there anyway.
	Sometimes it’s best just to stay home. Open day of firearms season would probably be the day to not venture out. Actually, that whole weekend might not be a bad idea. I don’t hike at all during deer season. Sure, the scenery and temps are nice, but, sometimes, it’s just not worth the hazards.