Changes for next year...

[AaronMColeman]

This year, due to a hunting buddy's foot injury, we did our pack hikes on asphalt trails instead of in the woods. I'm not sure if it's related or not, could just be aging, but my IT band blew up after a long day of side-hilling with full packs. So next year I'm going to train on the local reservoir damn. Take a loaded pack up, across, down, across, and repeat in reverse.

I've struggled with IT band issues since I was in high school. Heavy loads, and trails don't matter. It's the asphalt that has killed me. I train quite a bit during the year...lots of HIIT workouts in the basement through the winter, and hiking with loads when the weather is nicer. I rarely have flair ups nowadays, but it's always an issue: strengthen and stay away from asphalt.

 

[jjwaldman21]

Some nylon pants. My merino pants got smoked in the blowdowns of CO.

 

[805Bowhunter]

I've struggled with IT band issues since I was in high school. Heavy loads, and trails don't matter. It's the asphalt that has killed me. I train quite a bit during the year...lots of HIIT workouts in the basement through the winter, and hiking with loads when the weather is nicer. I rarely have flair ups nowadays, but it's always an issue: strengthen and stay away from asphalt.

Man...how do you deal with IT issues...I just started having them this past 6 months. It is crazy because my left IT band primarily only flares up when I run on asphalt....why is this? Ive been trying to find and answer but no luck. Its extremely painful and have no idea how to address the issue. After about 2 miles on asphalt, I can barely walk. Any luck with any sort of treatment?

 

[AaronMColeman]

Man...how do you deal with IT issues...I just started having them this past 6 months. It is crazy because my left IT band primarily only flares up when I run on asphalt....why is this? Ive been trying to find and answer but no luck. Its extremely painful and have no idea how to address the issue. After about 2 miles on asphalt, I can barely walk. Any luck with any sort of treatment?

Sorry man, no real cures on my end. Asphalt is the killer for me too. I avoid it...I live in the middle of nowhere Wyoming so it’s mostly dirt trails anyway.

What has helped me avoid flare ups is strengthening the muscles around. Lots of HIIT exercises with body weight only. Simple routines, maybe 30-45 min 3-5 times a week.

The other thing that has helped is I basically quit running. I hate that that was the solution but it really helped. I hike a lot more and do more interval training. I haven’t had a major issue in a few years now.

Once it flares it’s all ice and rest. Key is to do things that help avoid the flare ups (strengthening, resting, avoid inflaming).


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[[email protected]]

Going to trust my cams and not let my partner talk me into packing in for no elk no matter how good it was last year waisted a day and a half of a 3 day season on a spot my cams say ain’t holding any elk this year

 

[muddydogs]

Sorry man, no real cures on my end. Asphalt is the killer for me too. I avoid it...I live in the middle of nowhere Wyoming so it’s mostly dirt trails anyway.

What has helped me avoid flare ups is strengthening the muscles around. Lots of HIIT exercises with body weight only. Simple routines, maybe 30-45 min 3-5 times a week.

The other thing that has helped is I basically quit running. I hate that that was the solution but it really helped. I hike a lot more and do more interval training. I haven’t had a major issue in a few years now.

Once it flares it’s all ice and rest. Key is to do things that help avoid the flare ups (strengthening, resting, avoid inflaming).


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I feel your guy's pain. About a week before my hunt my right IT band flared up I think from all the stairs I was doing. 2 days before the hunt I got a cortizon injection which helped with hiking but it still ached while setting. Today a month later I'm still dealing with the pain.

 

[longspeak74]

New string, continued calling practice and new partner/solo

 

[Still Hunter]

win the lotto... so I can hunt where the big bulls are... and afford it...

 

[Jahvette20]

Get find an alternative to my AGC harness. Get better at cow calling. Leave the gaiters in the truck(carried them for 12 days with 0 use), and learn when to quit a spot. I covered 97 miles in by foot in 3 different regions seeing a ton of sign averaging a few days to a few weeks old and just enough fresh stuff to keep me there but I think the cows had moved and just random bulls were out searching as well. This was my first year and have a whitetail mentality so that was my biggest struggle. My backpacking and weapon setup proved to be dialed. I also won’t be doing an otc elk hunt with a partner that doesn’t want to hustle again.

 

[bridgerbenson]

Stick to my word of never hunting freaking crowded Colorado OTC again!
Anyways, after more than likely dinking around and missing/ forgetting to put in for any draws and ending up back in Colorado OTC, I’m going to be in better shape.


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[ELKhunter60]

Loose 20 lbs before I go again. Coyote out overnight on top of mountains as much as I can. Trying to hike up mountains in the morning without the bulls detecting us was challenging this year (area we hunted was full of blowdown timber). Maybe rent a couple of Llamas. I'm 52 and we go back in 6 miles. Llamas are handy with camp loads and elk hauling.

 

[JoeRjolin]

I was able to get a cow this year. I used my Eberlestock dragonfly because that is what I had. Nice pack without weight, but with weight was very uncomfortable. Will be investing in a nice pack, and getting into shape!

 

[P Carter]

Man...how do you deal with IT issues...I just started having them this past 6 months. It is crazy because my left IT band primarily only flares up when I run on asphalt....why is this? Ive been trying to find and answer but no luck. Its extremely painful and have no idea how to address the issue. After about 2 miles on asphalt, I can barely walk. Any luck with any sort of treatment?

Not to take over the thread, but I struggled with it band. Went to a physical therapist, who noticed very weak and tight hips. I now do weighted lunges, one legged deadlift, deep squats, and a lot of mobility and I’ve been fine since so long as I keep it up. Maybe see a PT, a good start at least.

 

[Sdieffen]

As the season progressed I told my wife things that I need to do or not do. She keeps a daily journal of everything we/I see and what areas have been productive.

Hunted 18 days, saw elk every day. Took 2 shots, hit branches. Several bulls out of range, couldn't connect.

I plan on improving my calling skills for next year. Deploying my wife and son as callers behind me to close that distance.

I need a new bow. My limbs started delaminating on the 3rd day in the woods. I had no choice but to keep hunting. 30 hr drive from home to S . CO.

Plan on buying a lighter sleeping bag/quilt.

 

[cooperjd]

Need to get better at calling.

Need new boots, after their 10th season, my Lowa's are superglued back together for the moment and the last 2nd rifle deer hunt.

I need to learn to be more aggressive. Not taking dumb shots, but maybe not necessarily waiting for the "whitetail perfect" broadside, 20 yard shot at an elk. I have to get my whitetail mentality out, and get an elk hunters mentality in. I believe instead of a small bull this year I should have posted pics of a really nice 6 point, had I been just a bit more on my game and aggressive.

 

[Beendare]

Attitude adjustment for me: i always say im going to take the first good opportunity....buy end up passing them ro try and shoot the herd bull.

So this yr I passed 2 small bulls at 8 and 15yds because there was aa good herd bull another 50 yds away. Never did get a clean shot at tho herd bulls.

Passed a couple cows that would have been easy pack outs- one was at 5 yds and had no clue i was there.

I suppose i better start going to Big Bulls Anonymous meeting for my addiction.

..

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm not sure if it's related or not, could just be aging, but my IT band blew up after a long day of side-hilling with full packs.

What's an IT band????

 

[5MilesBack]

Leave the gaiters in the truck(carried them for 12 days with 0 use)

You have to actually put them on to get some use out of them.

 

[5MilesBack]

Attitude adjustment for me: i always say im going to take the first good opportunity....buy end up passing them ro try and shoot the herd bull.

That's not an attitude adjustment, that's just a goal adjustment. What's your goal going in? If it's to shoot an elk, then shoot the first one you get a shot at. If it's the herd bull, then shoot him or eat the tag. I'll gladly eat a tag these days to keep chasing the herd bulls. Raghorns are just pesky critters that try to take your attention away from your goal........or screw up your opportunity on the herd bull (had that happen this year).

 

[wind gypsy]

Improve my calling. Was able to call in a decent bull that my nephew killed but said nephew recorded some of my calling and I didn’t always like what I heard