I am very new to hunting (started only last year) and I am trying to improve my skills. I plan to focus on 3 key aspects -
1) Dry-fire training
2) Live-fire training
3) Fitness exercises

I do dry-fire training 2-3X a week (although it's closer to 2), aiming at small pictures of deer and hogs. Sessions are usually 15 minutes or less. I need to figure out how to make them less boring.

I go to the rifle range 2-3 X a month to practice with my hunting AR's. 20-40 rounds of .308 and 30-50 rounds 300BLK. Sometimes I'll shoot 30-50 rounds 223. I go to an indoor range once a week, but that's practice for pistol and short range carbine competitions.

For fitness, I currently lift weights 5X week and I run about 20-25 miles a week - a slow 10K MWF and a "fast" 5K TTH. I plan to add sled pulls and sled push to my training regimen.

I was wondering what experienced hunters like yourselves do for training. I would love to learn how I can improve my skills.

That sounds like waaaaaay too much exercise just for hunting. Are you running and chasing them down with Spears?

I shoot skeet about 4 times during the off season.

I sit in an office chair and rotate left and right while lifting binos up to my face.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying to go out and shoot guns or exercise. I recommend both! But really, you need to be active in the field and get with someone that is experienced to share with you. That's where you will get most of what you need. Nowadays, I go to the range one week before season and make sure my rifles are hitting the target where I want and that's it. I try to exercise regularly but not for hunting. Although you can see where it is beneficial. I use to pack everything for every occasion I could think of but it just proved to be a mess. What type of hunting do you plan on doing?

Try and lose some weight, I work out pretty regular but I have to do both

Holy crap! If that's what you do to get ready for hunting season my hat's off to you
I guess it all depends on what type of hunting you do. It doesn't take much preparation to sit in a box blind, but if you do the kind of hunting I did in Alaska your regimen would be great. I should have done more of what you're doing before I went.
As it is, I focus more on bow hunting so I practice with my bow at different ranges, standing and seated.
*After typing that and thinking about your post, I'm a little ashamed*

My current fitness program is mostly about maintaining my strength and endurance levels. And because I love donuts.

Primarily deer and hog hunting ... from a blind. Also interested in hunting coyotes. I know that my exercise regimen seems extreme, but I want to make sure I have the strength and endurance to drag a dead animal to the truck.

Do anything to keep you from having a heart attack.

Figure out where the wind is coming from at ALL times, if you want, add some "duck walks" and lunges to your workout (of which I can do neither), and you'll be able to get out of that blind and creep up on, or even run down, just about any game you want. You won't even need camo!

Whew! At least nobody said they dress like Rambo and stalk people in the neighborhood park.

Sounds like you do plenty of physical exercise which is great.

Shooting regularly and dry fire will also help a great deal making the most of your shot opportunities.

Don't over look the mental preparation side of things. Learn all you can about the animals you hunt. How they travel, what they eat and where they bed down. How to properly trail a wounded animal. How to hunt the wind and spot and stalk.

How to properly age animals your hunting. This preparation is just as important as the physical.

Just don't "dry-fire" your bow and all is good

I didn't want anyone to know.

I'm going to start toting my cooler up and down the bayou trail near the house. Everyday I'll add another can. It's always heavy packing in but should be lighter on the way out.

sweat, blood, tears beer

Originally Posted By: GeneC

I am very new to hunting (started only last year) and I am trying to improve my skills. I plan to focus on 3 key aspects -
1) Dry-fire training
2) Live-fire training
3) Fitness exercises

I do dry-fire training 2-3X a week (although it's closer to 2), aiming at small pictures of deer and hogs. Sessions are usually 15 minutes or less. I need to figure out how to make them less boring.

I go to the rifle range 2-3 X a month to practice with my hunting AR's. 20-40 rounds of .308 and 30-50 rounds 300BLK. Sometimes I'll shoot 30-50 rounds 223. I go to an indoor range once a week, but that's practice for pistol and short range carbine competitions.

For fitness, I currently lift weights 5X week and I run about 20-25 miles a week - a slow 10K MWF and a "fast" 5K TTH. I plan to add sled pulls and sled push to my training regimen.

I was wondering what experienced hunters like yourselves do for training. I would love to learn how I can improve my skills.

find a girl friend.

Why don't you drive the truck to the animal, or will the terrain not allow that.

The Mesopotamian's invented the wheel and axle for us so we could enjoy beer and donuts.

Link to game cart

Good luck with your hunting!

Charlie

This ^^^^^ and learn to drop them in their tracks. Many of the deer in Texas are the size to warrant that effort to get them out.
Winner!

Thanks for the advice! I have been reading everything I can get my hands on regarding whitetail, hog and coyote hunting.

I do need to add lunges to my leg training, even if I despise them. Thanks!

The terrain usually doesn't allow it.