lolson+FollowMy first public elk hunt nearly killed meLast September I thought I was ready for my first public land elk hunt. Day 3, I'm gasping for air at 9,000 feet with a 60-pound pack, wondering why I skipped leg day all summer. That's when reality hit - elk hunting is brutal. Here's what I wish I'd known before heading into the mountains: - You need to hike 10+ miles daily with gear - Expect 1,000+ foot climbs through rocks and deadfall - If successful, you're packing out 300 pounds of meat - Most public elk have escape plans by opening day My training mistakes: 1️⃣ Cardio base - Should've been walking 4+ miles daily with a weighted pack months before 2️⃣ Leg strength - Squats, lunges, stair climber - your legs carry you to elk and back 3️⃣ Upper body - You'll be clawing up canyons and hopefully breaking down an elk Essential prep: - Get medical clearance before training - Scout your unit in summer if possible - Test ALL gear before the hunt - Have backup navigation tools The mountains don't care about your ego. Start training now or pay the price later. What's your biggest elk hunting preparation lesson? #hunting #ElkHunting #PublicLandHunting9367Share
Eric Ford+FollowWhich state has the best public hunting?Living in SW Ohio, I'm struggling with public hunting lands being so far away. What states actually have good public hunting close to population centers? Thinking about relocating... #hunting #publiclandhunting #huntaccess #Ohio461Share
lolson+FollowWhy Northern New England is underrated for huntersJust moved to NH and honestly blown away by how hunter-friendly it is up here! 🦌 No draw systems (except moose), your license includes tags, and here's the crazy part - you can hunt anywhere that's not posted. Most big landowners don't even post because they get tax breaks for keeping land open! Yeah the deer density isn't like down south, but these northern bucks are MASSIVE. Plus I can hunt Maine, NH, and Vermont all for under $500 total. Even as a non-resident, Maine is only $150. Been living near Boston for work and driving up weekends. Best of both worlds - decent job market but incredible hunting access. The tougher hunting just makes it more rewarding when you connect. Anyone else hunting this region? The lack of red tape is refreshing compared to other states. #Outdoors #hunting #newenglandhunting #newhampshire #maine #publiclandhunting74Share
