If you’re waiting until September to start training for hunting season, you’re already behind.
The truth is fall success starts in the spring. Whether you’re chasing elk deep in the backcountry or spending long hours in a blind, how you prepare now determines how you perform when it matters most.
At MTN PHYSIO, we believe there is no off-season. We work with hunters, outdoorsmen, and backcountry athletes to help them move better, last longer, and avoid the injuries that can ruin a season.
Here’s how to start your pre-season training the right way.
Train Like the Mountains Are Watching
Hunting isn’t just a hobby. It’s an athletic pursuit. It’s a passion. It’s a way of life.
You’re carrying a pack, covering uneven terrain, climbing elevation, and, if you’re lucky, dragging or packing out a trophy along with a pack full of lean, organic protein to share with friends and loved ones.
A serious outdoorsman treats their pre-season training just as seriously as the peak hunting season.
At MTN PHYSIO, we recommend starting early to reduce injury risk and increase your chances of success.
Success often comes down to one simple factor:
Time in the field.
If you want more of it, your body has to be ready. That means rehabbing old injuries, preventing new ones, and building resilience that lasts the entire season.
Don’t Just Prep Your Gear — Prep Your Body
Too many hunters spend months fine-tuning their rifles, dialing in optics, and upgrading their boots while ignoring nagging knee pain or chronic back stiffness.
That’s the kind of thing that ends your hunt early or prevents you from getting out there at all.
Hunters love gear. I get it. I’m one of them.
But there is no substitute for a healthy, capable body.
The real edge elite hunters have isn’t just high-end gear. It’s how they take care of themselves.
Pro Tip
Start training with the gear you plan to use.
That means:
- Your pack weight
- Your boots
- Your layering system
All of these affect how your body moves. Simulate your environment now so everything feels natural once the season arrives.
Know Where You Stand
Training without measurement is just guessing.
Knowing how many push-ups, lunges, or step-ups you can perform today gives you a baseline so you can track progress and train smarter.
Most people train to their strengths. But when you identify your weaknesses, you can turn them into strengths.
One free tool we offer is the Backcountry Mobility Guide at:
This free self-assessment provides a structured approach to evaluating your movement and mobility. It also connects you with Doctors of Physical Therapy who can help you improve performance and reduce injury risk.
Scouting Season Is Also Training Season
Scouting does more than help you find animals.
It builds conditioning and experience.
Use spring and early summer to:
- Test new terrain and build cardiovascular endurance
- Train your body under real-world load and elevation
- Get comfortable spending long days on your feet in unpredictable conditions
Every step you take now is one your body will thank you for when fall arrives.
Focus on These Key Training Areas
A well-rounded pre-season training plan should include four key elements.
1. Strength
You need strong legs to climb mountains, a stable core to carry weight, and strong shoulders to draw your bow and haul gear.
Focus on exercises like:
- Squats
- Lunges
- Step-ups
- Deadlifts
- Carries
- Posterior chain work
2. Mobility
Tight hips, stiff ankles, and restricted shoulders create problems in the field.
Use bands and light weights to mobilize stiff areas and maintain efficient movement.
3. Endurance
Backcountry hunts demand stamina.
You need enough gas in the tank to hike miles and still stay sharp when the moment to shoot arrives.
Aim for progressive cardiovascular training at least three times per week, while avoiding overtraining.
4. Stability and Balance
Backcountry terrain is unpredictable.
Training stability and balance improves control and reduces injury risk.
Exercises that help include:
- Bulgarian split squats
- Side planks
- Single-leg balance work
Your Best Season Starts Now
The hunters who consistently find success in the fall are the ones who begin preparing months earlier.
You can’t control the weather, the animals, or the terrain.
But you can control your preparation.
Don’t let pain, fatigue, or preventable injuries hold you back when the season finally arrives.
At MTN PHYSIO, we help you build a body that performs when the mountains demand more.
Whether you’re recovering from an old injury or pushing for your best season yet, now is the time to train with intention.
Explore our training options, download the free Backcountry Mobility Guide, or reach out for a personalized consultation.
Because in the mountains, your greatest edge isn’t your gear.
It’s you.
