Recovery after a hike or stalking

[Will]

To be honest off the bat, I never do any exercise

Then when I go camping and for a hike around wherever we are I usually flog myself and my legs and back are killing me for the next day or two.

My own fault for being lazy but anyway

A mate who's a bit of a gym junkie suggested getting one of these muscle recovery protein shake things that you take after a workout.

The stuff's not super cheap though, I was wondering if anyone uses it for their exertions and if it you reckoned it was worth it on a once off basis, not as part of a routine.

[Tom Foolery]

Yes, with a teaspoon of creatine if you're going to train regularly and want a faster recovery so you can hit it again sooner but they are not a magic tonic. Really the right post work out snack at the right time can be very nearly as effective.

Now the bad news. There are no free rides or magic recovery powders, legal ones anyway. It sounds like you're suffering from delayed onset muscle soreness. The only way I know to prevent it is to be properly fit, warm up thoroughly before strenuous exercise (probably not necessary if stalking) and work within your limits (which will increase if you train). Sorry to say it, but I think you'd be better off spending your money on a gym membership and getting your gym junkie mate to show you some leg exercises.

[scotty87]

I don't take anything yet but a lot of people swear by things like glucosamine and chondroitin and magnesium tablets for things like knee and joint pain, make sure your drinking enough water for the amount of exertion, I usually drink 1-1.5L during a morning hunt and another 1L or so after, more in summer.

other than that just power through it, go for another easy walk to stretch out your back and legs or a bike ride, Things like back pain can be footwear related so make sure your hiking boots stack up.

[Bent Arrow]

I do think you should bother using the shakes but I can highly recommend you start using an additive. .it comes as a grey powder, you can mix it with water and some other things but I suggest a teaspoon or two on your weetbix every day. Generally comes in a 20 kg bag marked Portland cement (or similar). You should be able to get it at your local hardware store.......... Bwah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah

[Pythonkeeper]

That won't do much for you, regular exercise and a reasonably healthy balanced diet will condition your body and help with recovery far more than any supplement. Even if you start off keeping it simple and go for a brisk half hour walk (with pooch if ya have one) 4-5 nights a week, or a bike ride maybe, it will make a big difference. If you want to step it up a bit maybe throw in some body weight excecises a few times a week, load a few kg's in a back pack when you go on you walks and gradually increase the load over weeks/months to condition yourself for the hunt.
Supplements are just that, they are 'supplements' and you won't get any real benefits from them unless you take/use them regularly with an already balanced diet, so don't waste your coin unless you get the basics right first.

[bladeracer]

To be honest off the bat, I never do any exercise

Then when I go camping and for a hike around wherever we are I usually flog myself and my legs and back are killing me for the next day or two.

My own fault for being lazy but anyway

A mate who's a bit of a gym junkie suggested getting one of these muscle recovery protein shake things that you take after a workout.

The stuff's not super cheap though, I was wondering if anyone uses it for their exertions and if it you reckoned it was worth it on a once off basis, not as part of a routine.

I have thought about it but have never tried it myself.

Just take it slow, no reason to turn it into an endurance exercise.
I went and spent a couple hours exploring a property we were thinking of buying. It fell 110m over 500m distance. Tough enough walking down it, but coming back up had my legs screaming. Being clay cattle property didn't help as the entire ground is pitted with hoof tracks in the mud, which is no fun in the wet or the dry (like our own properties). I find the bush is easier going even though it can be even steeper at times. Find a landmark a few hundred meters away and make a few trips to it rather than try to carry/drag everything in one go. Leap-frog your way back to your pick-up point.

[Bigjobss]

I train 6 days a week which consists of a combo of weights, yoga and 30km+ of running (I run a half marathon at least once a month) and even still I will pull up sore after a big day stalking.
No matter what you do unless you consistently do a certain action, range of movement etc you body does not get a chance to get used to it.
One of the reasons its a good idea to mixup an exercise routine every few weeks.

[juststarting]

Eating a cheeseburger is not going to make you obese, just like eating a carrot is not going to make you super healthy.

If you are not active, eating protein is not going to do much. If you do though, cheapest one from supermarket will do just fine. Your legs hurt because you either lack conditioning or right muscles; or both. Best to just go for a jog on sand or grass. Supplements won't help.

[marksman]

I do think you should bother using the shakes but I can highly recommend you start using an additive. .it comes as a grey powder, you can mix it with water and some other things but I suggest a teaspoon or two on your weetbix every day. Generally comes in a 20 kg bag marked Portland cement (or similar). You should be able to get it at your local hardware store.......... Bwah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah

classic I just spat pizza over the computer

[RoginaJack]

suggest a walk around the block 3 or 4 times a week.

I usually take a drink bottle of Staminade with me and drink that.

Oh and a couple of beers after I've cleaned and packed everything away after I get back home. I find that very helpful and relaxing.

[Oldbloke]

I do think you should bother using the shakes but I can highly recommend you start using an additive. .it comes as a grey powder, you can mix it with water and some other things but I suggest a teaspoon or two on your weetbix every day. Generally comes in a 20 kg bag marked Portland cement (or similar). You should be able to get it at your local hardware store.......... Bwah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah

There's one on every forum. God love it

[Gwion]

Fitness is specific. What you train for is what you will be fit for.

If you put in a big effort then follow it up with rest, good eating (protein and carbs and fresh veg) some light follow up exercise and stretching (gently) and maybe a nice warm bath with radix or Epsom salts.

gentle stretching and light exercise will help flush out out the stiffness and soreness better than anything. Regularly walking will stop you getting so sore in the first place.

[Daddybang]

I do think you should bother using the shakes but I can highly recommend you start using an additive. .it comes as a grey powder, you can mix it with water and some other things but I suggest a teaspoon or two on your weetbix every day. Generally comes in a 20 kg bag marked Portland cement (or similar). You should be able to get it at your local hardware store.......... Bwah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah hah

F@#kin classic!!!!
Personally beer is the only way to recover from ANYTHING!!!

[Corn]

I train 6 days a week which consists of a combo of weights, yoga and 30km+ of running (I run a half marathon at least once a month) and even still I will pull up sore after a big day stalking.
No matter what you do unless you consistently do a certain action, range of movement etc you body does not get a chance to get used to it.
One of the reasons its a good idea to mixup an exercise routine every few weeks.

Who are you? Joe Rogan? Weights, yoga & running??

You make me feel terrible about myself!!!


Seriously though, what he said.

If you're a little lazier than that, do light (but regular) exercise. Something that I have worked out is that some thing(s) that work for some may not necessarily work for others.
Supplements, don't buy them. Flushing your money down the toilet is the same thing (unless you're really into working out at the gym etc).
Stay hydrated by drinking water, drink a 'sports' drink to help replace any lost electrolytes.
Stay within your limits / limitations.
Enjoy

[Bigjobss]

No supplements?
I STRONGLY recomend a mouthfull of everything by Onnit Labs washed down with some CaveMan Coffee

[albat]

I think alot of people try to cover too much turf when they would be better sitting and waiting in the right areas nothing gives you up faster than movement

[Oldbloke]

I think alot of people try to cover too much turf when they would be better sitting and waiting in the right areas nothing gives you up faster than movement

I did that for years and shot sweet duck all.
Sit and wait is what I do now. Does get boring but gets game too.

[albat]

The best thing about getting older is you get more patient

[Corn]

No supplements?
I STRONGLY recomend a mouthfull of everything by Onnit Labs washed down with some CaveMan Coffee

That CaveMan coffee seems like an interesting drink!!

[marksman]

The best thing about getting older is you get more patient

smarter too

[Gwion]

The best thing about getting older is you get more patient

The old sayings:
- "walk little, look a lot"
- "not seeing the forest for the trees"

and as they say in fishing:
- "there's no point putting your bait where the fish ain't!"

[Diesel]

Shot three fallow this year, walked less than 200 meters from the bus each time, about two hours before dawn. Sat down and waited for the sun to rise. They were all swinging in the breeze before 8am whilst I was eating breakfast.

I can't be bothered stalking anymore, too old.

[bladeracer]

Shot three fallow this year, walked less than 200 meters from the bus each time, about two hours before dawn. Sat down and waited for the sun to rise. They were all swinging in the breeze before 8am whilst I was eating breakfast.

I can't be bothered stalking anymore, too old.

I'll be happy as long as I don't turn into an American "hunter" and start taking a folding chair out with me to sit in a hut, lay out bait and wait for the game to come to me - that's not bloody hunting

[Oldbloke]

I'm guilty. Just bought a folding stool.

[albat]

Those blokes in america sit in a tree all day freezing their nuts off what could possibly go wrong there !

[Diesel]

I'll be happy as long as I don't turn into an American "hunter" and start taking a folding chair out with me to sit in a hut, lay out bait and wait for the game to come to me - that's not bloody hunting

Is there a certain amount of pain or suffering you need to undergo before it becomes legitimate hunting? Heckler303 seems to think if you are overweight, middle aged and use a .300WM it isn't considered hunting.

Could someone please show me these rules I need to follow so I know when I am actually hunting rather than simply going to the butcher(in actual fact deer hunting is simply meat on the table for me).

Every year I try and give a couple of people the chance to shoot a deer, next year I will make sure they walk around for a week or two in the bush with no result so they get a true hunting experience( hang on isn't that bushwalking?)

So be it.

[bladeracer]

Is there a certain amount of pain or suffering you need to undergo before it becomes legitimate hunting? Heckler303 seems to think if you are overweight, middle aged and use a .300WM it isn't considered hunting.

Could someone please show me these rules I need to follow so I know when I am actually hunting rather than simply going to the butcher(in actual fact deer hunting is simply meat on the table for me).

Every year I try and give a couple of people the chance to shoot a deer, next year I will make sure they walk around for a week or two in the bush with no result so they get a true hunting experience( hang on isn't that bushwalking?)

So be it.

There doesn't need to be any pain or suffering when you're hunting, you're supposed to be enjoying simply being at one with nature.
I watched a video recently about how to process a deer. Except it was English so the deer was simply driven up to in a fenced field and shot with a .30-06 from the roof of the vehicle by a client paying for the privilege of "hunting a deer". Then he drove up to the fallen deer where a bench was unfolded and the carcass laid on top for processing. He required half-a-dozen knives for different purposes and 40-liters of water to keep his hands clean. After the basic prep he then unfolded a hoist that mounts on the vehicle towball to raise the carcass for skinning and to drop the entrails.
I'm still trying to work out how I'm going to fit a vehicle into my pack let alone the literal half-ton of other junk he "needed"

I think the best thing an over-weight, middle-aged bloke can do for his health is to get out on foot in the bush instead of merely driving through it. But filling the freezer is just shooting rather than hunting, the same as if I shoot a cow or sheep on the farm. Hunting is more than merely shooting and butchering. Hunting is more about finding the game, and then closing surreptitiously with it to take a clean kill without the animal ever knowing it's being hunted.

I would certainly help people to "hunt" deer whether they actually came home with one or not, I wouldn't help anybody to simply drive up to a herd to shoot one and go home believing they've been "hunting".

[Diesel]

Ummm, I also have a towball mounted gambrel and a hand washing unit on my flat tray, beats the ****** out of bending over or kneeling and it is nice to be able to rinse off.

I have done it the "hard" way in the past but the need to wear leg braces discourages this middle aged slightly overweight male from enjoying hard stalks anymore, your inference that a good walk would do me good is insulting.

And nope, YOU may not class set piece, drives or culls as hunting but there are quite a few new shooters that have been rapt to deck their first deer- so screw you, go back to your paper targets and lattes. Just remember that hunting has always been about putting meat on the table, purism tends to destroy this.

Anyway, I have about three kilos of fallow to mince up with pork fat into rissole mix and re freeze ready for bathurst weekend before I finally get to go to bed.

Call it hunting or shooting? I call it eating meat.

[Daddybang]

There doesn't need to be any pain or suffering when you're hunting, you're supposed to be enjoying simply being at one with nature.
I watched a video recently about how to process a deer. Except it was English so the deer was simply driven up to in a fenced field and shot with a .30-06 from the roof of the vehicle by a client paying for the privilege of "hunting a deer". Then he drove up to the fallen deer where a bench was unfolded and the carcass laid on top for processing. He required half-a-dozen knives for different purposes and 40-liters of water to keep his hands clean. After the basic prep he then unfolded a hoist that mounts on the vehicle towball to raise the carcass for skinning and to drop the entrails.
I'm still trying to work out how I'm going to fit a vehicle into my pack let alone the literal half-ton of other junk he "needed"

I think the best thing an over-weight, middle-aged bloke can do for his health is to get out on foot in the bush instead of merely driving through it. But filling the freezer is just shooting rather than hunting, the same as if I shoot a cow or sheep on the farm. Hunting is more than merely shooting and butchering. Hunting is more about finding the game, and then closing surreptitiously with it to take a clean kill without the animal ever knowing it's being hunted.

I would certainly help people to "hunt" deer whether they actually came home with one or not, I wouldn't help anybody to simply drive up to a herd to shoot one and go home believing they've been "hunting".

Good explanation of the difference between shooting and hunting

[bladeracer]

Ummm, I also have a towball mounted gambrel and a hand washing unit on my flat tray, beats the ****** out of bending over or kneeling and it is nice to be able to rinse off.

I have done it the "hard" way in the past but the need to wear leg braces discourages this middle aged slightly overweight male from enjoying hard stalks anymore, your inference that a good walk would do me good is insulting.

And nope, YOU may not class set piece, drives or culls as hunting but there are quite a few new shooters that have been rapt to deck their first deer- so screw you, go back to your paper targets and lattes. Just remember that hunting has always been about putting meat on the table, purism tends to destroy this.

Anyway, I have about three kilos of fallow to mince up with pork fat into rissole mix and re freeze ready for bathurst weekend before I finally get to go to bed.

Call it hunting or shooting? I call it eating meat.

You remind me of a mate of mine who was also permanently disabled. He liked to get offended by everything as well. On the other hand, another mate of mine who was paralysed in a motocross race crash went on to race superbikes quite successfully instead, and is currently racing boats. The need to feel insulted by things people say that know nothing about your situation is ridiculous. Do you disagree that a good walk in the bush is a very good thing for a middle-aged, over-weight bloke?

Whether I call your method hunting or shooting should be irrelevant to you.

Enjoy the venison