Hunting seasons are wrapping up, but it’s not quite time for offseason training. We’re stuck smack dab in the middle, that time during the end of the year that either lays the foundation for a great offseason or leaves you stuck because you didn’t utilize the post-season to rebuild your fitness. If you’re not sure what to do, it’s not your fault. There’s a lot of convoluted information out there, and, honestly, you’re not a human performance coach. So, I’ll help you out with the advice you need to know how to train after hunting season.

“Hell, I missed him.” “Are you sure?” “Yeah, I saw the dirt fly where the bullet hit the ground.” “It might have been a pass through.” “I don’t think so, man. I’m pretty sure I whiffed.” “Well, let’s walk down there and check.” I carried Ruth, my dog down the stairs that led up to the box blind while JM carried our rifles. Then I loaded her up in the truck before we walked the 230 or so yards to where the hog was standing when I shot at him. It could turn into a real rodeo with a wounded hog lying in the mesquite. Managing Ruth, who’s a pet and not trained to hunt, while shooting at a charging boar seemed like a terrible idea.

If you use your sniffer and your imagination, you can smell the turkey roasting in the oven. Sniff a little more and you’ll smell the pies baking, too. It’s the Holidays — one of the best times of the year. And it’s also a time of year when many hunters lose fitness. We’ll discuss the reasons why, what to do about them, and develop a holiday hunting fitness plan you can stick to, so you can make progress this holiday season instead of making excuses why you “couldn’t” train.