What Base-Level Fitness Should Look Like
A guided hunt in Canada can be an incredible experience, but the physical demands of hunting in remote wilderness shouldn’t be underestimated.
You don’t need to be an elite athlete to enjoy a guided moose, bear, wolf or mountain goat hunt in British Columbia. However, you should arrive with enough cardiovascular fitness to comfortably spend long days outdoors, hike over uneven terrain and recover from one demanding day before the next one begins. The good news? You don’t have to be in perfect shape. You just need a solid fitness base.
What Does “Good Enough Shape” Look Like for a Canadian Hunt?
Fitness requirements vary significantly depending on the species, terrain, hunting method and individual hunt. A moose hunt through rolling or forested terrain will generally have different physical demands than a mountain goat hunt involving steep elevation changes.
For most hunters, a reasonable baseline is being able to:
- Walk continuously for 60–90 minutes without becoming exhausted
- Hike several miles over uneven terrain
- Walk comfortably while carrying a daypack
- Climb hills without needing frequent long rest periods
- Recover reasonably quickly after a strenuous climb
- Spend most of a day on your feet
- Get up and down from sitting, kneeling or crouching positions comfortably
- Repeat moderate physical activity several days in a row
You don’t necessarily need to be able to run a marathon.
You do need to be able to keep moving when the hunt requires it.
Cardio Fitness Matters More Than Most Hunters Think
When people prepare for a hunt, they often focus on strength training. Strength is certainly important, particularly when carrying a rifle, backpack or gear over uneven ground. But cardiovascular conditioning may be even more important for maintaining energy throughout a long hunting day. A typical day in the field can involve periods of relatively easy walking followed by short bursts of much harder effort. You might walk through relatively flat terrain for an hour, stop to glass, then climb a steep hillside to reach a better position. After recovering, you may continue hiking or spend additional time glassing.
This repeated cycle is much different from exercising for 30 minutes at the gym and then going home. The goal of your cardio training should be to develop endurance and recovery, not simply speed.
A Simple Base-Level Cardio Test
If you’re wondering whether your current fitness level is adequate to begin preparing for a Canadian hunt, start with a simple test. Try walking briskly for 60 minutes on relatively varied terrain. You should be able to maintain a conversation for much of the walk without feeling completely out of breath.
Then ask yourself:
Could I do another 30 minutes if I needed to?
If the answer is yes, you probably have a reasonable starting fitness base. If you are exhausted after 30–45 minutes, that’s not a reason to panic. It’s simply an indication that you have room to build your endurance before the hunt.
Don’t Forget Hills
Flat-ground cardio is useful, but it doesn’t completely prepare you for hunting in rugged terrain. Walking uphill places significantly different demands on your cardiovascular system and legs. If possible, incorporate hills into your training.
You can use:
- Hiking trails
- Stadium stairs
- Treadmills with an incline
- Stair machines
- Steep neighborhood roads
- Hiking with a light pack
Start with manageable inclines and gradually increase the duration and difficulty.
You don’t need to turn every workout into a punishment session.
The goal is to build your ability to climb, recover and continue moving.
Training With a Backpack
One of the easiest ways to make your cardio training more specific to hunting is to eventually add a pack.
Don’t start by loading a backpack with 50 pounds.
Instead, begin with a relatively light pack and gradually increase the weight as your fitness improves.
For example:
Weeks 1–3:
Walk or hike without a pack or with a very light pack.
Weeks 4–6:
Introduce a modest pack weight during some workouts.
Weeks 7–10:
Gradually increase either distance, elevation or pack weight.
Final weeks:
Perform some longer hikes that resemble the duration and terrain you expect during your hunt.
There is no benefit to carrying excessive weight simply to prove that you can do it.
Your goal is to arrive at camp strong and healthy—not already injured.
Build Your Endurance Gradually
One of the biggest mistakes hunters make when preparing for a trip is doing too much too quickly.
Someone realizes their hunt is three months away and suddenly starts hiking five days a week.
That can be a recipe for overuse injuries.
Instead, think about fitness as a progression.
Start with consistency.
Then gradually increase one variable at a time:
- Duration
- Distance
- Elevation
- Speed
- Pack weight
You don’t need to increase everything simultaneously.
For example, if you increase the distance of your hike this week, keep the pack weight the same.
The following week, you might maintain the distance while adding a little elevation.
Small improvements accumulated over several months can make a dramatic difference.
What About Running?
Running can be an excellent way to improve cardiovascular fitness, but you don’t have to become a runner to prepare for a hunt. If you already enjoy running, keep doing it. If you don’t, there’s no reason to force yourself into a running program. Hiking, incline walking, cycling, stair climbing and other forms of cardio can build an excellent aerobic base without the impact associated with running. For a hunting-specific program, walking and hiking have an additional advantage: they allow you to train the exact movement pattern you’ll use in the field.
Strength Training Still Matters
Cardio should be a major component of your preparation, but don’t neglect strength.
Your legs, hips and core will do a lot of work during a backcountry hunt.
Useful exercises can include:
- Squats
- Lunges
- Step-ups
- Deadlifts
- Calf raises
- Rows
- Core exercises
- Loaded carries
You don’t need an elaborate bodybuilding program.
Think about functional strength.
Can you step up onto a rock?
Can you carry your pack?
Can you squat down and stand back up?
Can you maintain your balance on uneven terrain?
Can you perform these movements repeatedly without your muscles becoming exhausted?
Those abilities are much more relevant to hunting than simply knowing how much you can lift once in a gym.
Mountain Goat Hunts Require a Different Level of Preparation
Not every Canadian hunt has the same physical demands. Mountain goat hunting deserves special consideration.
The steep and rugged terrain associated with mountain goat hunting can make it considerably more physically demanding than hunting in flatter or more gently rolling terrain.
If you’re planning a mountain goat hunt, talk with your outfitter about the specific terrain and expected physical demands well before your trip.
Your preparation should likely include more emphasis on:
- Steep uphill hiking
- Descending under control
- Leg strength
- Balance
- Pack carrying
- Longer hikes
- Elevation gain
Downhill hiking shouldn’t be overlooked.
Descending steep terrain can place substantial stress on the quadriceps and knees, even when your cardiovascular system feels fine.
Train for Recovery, Not Just Endurance
One of the most important aspects of hunting fitness is your ability to recover. A guided hunt isn’t a one-day fitness test. You may hunt for several consecutive days.
That means your training should eventually include some back-to-back activity.
What Fitness Level Should You Aim For?
A good general goal before a guided hunt is to be able to comfortably:
Walk: 60–90 minutes at a brisk pace.
Hike: Several miles over varied terrain.
Climb: Moderate hills without stopping repeatedly.
Carry: A daypack for several hours.
Recover: Feel reasonably functional the following day after a long hike.
Repeat: Perform moderate activity on consecutive days.
If you can do those things comfortably, you’ll have a much stronger foundation than someone who arrives at camp having done little more than occasional weekend exercise.
For more demanding mountain hunts, you’ll want to build substantially beyond this baseline.
Don’t Wait Until You Arrive in British Columbia
One of the worst times to discover that you aren’t prepared for a wilderness hunt is on the first morning of your trip.
You don’t want your guide saying, “We’ve got a long climb today,” while you’re wondering whether you can make it to the top.
Preparing beforehand has another advantage: it allows you to focus on the experience.
Instead of worrying about whether you can keep up, you can concentrate on glassing, watching the terrain, learning from your guide and enjoying the hunt.
That’s ultimately what physical preparation is about.
Fitness isn’t about proving how tough you are. It’s about giving yourself the ability to take advantage of an opportunity when it comes.
Start Where You Are
Don’t get discouraged if you aren’t currently in great shape.
Start with walking.
Walk consistently.
Then add hills.
Then add distance.
Eventually add a pack.
Over several months, those simple steps can transform your fitness level.
And if you have existing health concerns, injuries or have been inactive for an extended period, talk with your healthcare professional before beginning a new exercise program.
Prepare for the Hunt—And Enjoy It
A guided hunt in British Columbia can involve long days, unpredictable weather, challenging terrain and plenty of time on your feet.
You don’t have to be an elite endurance athlete.
You do need a dependable fitness base.
The best approach is to start early, build gradually and focus on the type of movement you’ll actually encounter in the field. Develop your cardiovascular endurance, strengthen your legs and core, become comfortable hiking with a pack and give yourself enough time to recover between workouts.
When you finally arrive in northern British Columbia, you’ll be better prepared to handle the physical demands—and much better positioned to enjoy everything the experience has to offer.
At Nadina Outfitters, guided hunts take hunters into the remote wilderness of northern British Columbia for moose, black bear, mountain goat and wolf hunts. Every hunt is different, and the physical demands can vary by species, terrain and hunting conditions.
Before your trip, talk with your outfitter about the specific physical demands of your hunt so you can prepare appropriately.