Has Technology Advanced Hunting?

Just ask Ben...

Workout Program in a Nutshell

My routine really isn't that complicated, and I don't worry about over-training. I don't count sets or pay attention to gains in the weight room because for me that's not what's important. I don't plan out my week, saying I'll do this exercise this day or I'll work this muscle group that day. It's pretty random which I think is beneficial, considering how P90X is about confusing the body and a lot of people have great success on that program. I only ride my bike 1-2 times per week, but I hit the spin room in the school gym fairly often. Using my heart rate monitor and the spin bike I can get a lot more done strength and cardio wise than being out on the road. On the spin bike I will keep my HR over 180 for 45 minutes while doing intervals up to 220 BPM a number of times in that time frame. This is where most of my fat burning occurs. I applied to be a spin instructor next semester at the school, which I'm pretty sure I'll get. That will be sweet!

In the weight room I refuse to be like all the static, huge upper-bodied, chicken legged guys that hang around in there. Most of my weight exercises involve the entire body which gets the HR up. If you Youtube Lance Armstrong's weight training program, you will see where I got a lot of my lifts from. They aren't made for packing on large amounts muscle, but they add small amounts of muscle at a time while really helping out balance and core strength. And they make me sweat! I like to throw in heavy squats 2-3 times per week when I'm feeling extra strong.

The other day I let one of my professors talk me into taking her PiYo (Pilates-Yoga) class. I decided to go, but didn't expect much. I was wrong! It was awesome, as I got a great core workout mixed with some serious stretching and balance work. What this did was teach me the importance of stretching which I never did properly before. I really think flexibility is hugely underestimated. I will now be incorporating a number of the stretching and balance positions I learned in that class to my weekly routine.

As far as supplements go, I take a lot of protein (3 27 gram shakes/day), a big spoonful of Creatine/day, and Muscle Pharm Assault before each workout. Since taking the MP, I have been able to repeat the same workouts 3 days in a row sometimes without feeling over-exerted.

Nutrition has probably been the biggest factor in getting in really good shape. I don't know how many calories I eat each day, but it can't be many... even though I feel like I'm always eating. My favorite post-workout dinner right now is steamed veggies with pasta and a little Yoshidas marinade with a chicken breast or steak from something I killed. I'm trying to limit most of my carbs to post-workout when they will be used for recovery. During the day just a ton of water and healthy snacks almost hourly.

Are You Physically Ready?

Reading the forums this time of year may be slow if you're looking for fresh grip n grin photos. But one thing that seems to be highly discussed in the off-season is training and conditioning. Guys like Cam Hanes and a few others have really laid down the law the past few years with regards to training for the mountains. With more and more guys learning to go deeper and longer on their hunts, it is apparent that in being physically prepared is becoming an extremely important factor for success.

I've been training on my road bike for a while now, and recently started hitting the gym at school religiously. I've tweaked my diet a bit, eating way more protein and fewer carbs. I'm feeling pretty good, yet still have my physical goals set much higher than where I'm at right now.

I think I'm going to start writing on here a bit more about my training and what works and doesn't with regards to nutrition, supplements, and workouts. Stay tuned if you care to listen.

(After a month of adding the gym to my road biking)

(3 weeks ago... 100 miles at the Sea Otter Classic)

First Archery Pig for Ben!

My best bud Ben and I took a hunt earlier this week, and he put his new Insanity to work. We had a herd of about 15 run right at us after we stalked to 50 yards. They stopped when he drew, allowing a perfect shot on this great eating-sized boar. It was a top-pin shot, low behind the shoulder with a G5 T3 expandable. the thing bled like a stuck pig... and made it about 80 yards before cartwheeling to its demise.

Ben has been bit by the bowhunting bug... In the past year he has added a whole arsenal of gear to his closet, as you can see in the pictures. It was awesome to finally see everything come together.

My dad, Ben, and I are all in for NV archery muley tags this year. Can't wait for the results to come out!

Petition to Oppose SB 1221

Here is a link to a petition opposing Senate Bill 1221, which is aiming to end the use of dogs for bear hunting in California. If you care about the health of our big and small game populations, sign it! It only takes a minute. We have enough of a predator problem as it is, and fewer bears being taken will only add to that. Not to mention, our bear population has been exploding over the past fifteen years... even with the use of dogs for hunting! Not only should dogs continue to be used, but hunters should be encouraged to hunt bears and the quota should be raised!

http://www.change.org/petitions/the-ca-state-senate-opposition-to-sb-1221?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=share_petition&utm_term=autopublish

New Elk on the Wall

I finally got my 2009 New Mexico bull back from the Taxi. It turned out excellent. Click the pics to see full size.

Dry Firing A Bow... Ouch.

My roommate "Murch" dry fired my bow... and learned his lesson. Check out his forearm 4 days later. Luckily (for me) his skin slowed the string down enough to minimize the damage to my bow.

Click on picture for full size.