Although it doesn’t seem like it, big game hunting season is just around the corner.  For the last two months, all of my outdoor attentions have been focused on catching bass and playing golf.  However, I got a text message from a friend informing me that September was less than 150 days away.

For Western Big Game Hunters, most of the bowhunting opportunities take place in September.  Although a 150 days seems like a long time, when you live at an elevation of 10 feet and will be hunting at an elevation of 10,000 feet, it will take at least this much time to prepare.  Not only will it be necessary to prepare my body, but I must also make sure to practice my shooting as well as purchase any necessary hunting gear that is specific to the elk hunt I will be embarking on. Considering that I have never been on an elk hunt, I am relying on what I have read and learned from others to help me prepare.

With a quick glance in the mirror, I realize that I don’t have the same shape as the guys I see chasing elk up and down the mountains on TV. In fact, I have a body that is built for Texas deer hunting. The type of hunting where you drive a Polaris to within a 100 or so yards of the stand.

After walking the 100 yards, simply climb the stand and sit until your deer shows up. After considering this, I call my hunting partner who has a lot of experience elk hunting. I ask him if instead of chasing the elk up and down the mountains calling, would it be possible for me to just sit a water hole.  He says absolutely. I am relieved until he explains that I might have to climb a mountain or two to get to the water hole.

I guess there is no getting around the fact that I’m going to have to drop some pounds and get in better cardio shape. A leaner, more fit me is in the works.  My first step is to begin setting the treadmill on an incline and then get to walking.  I plan to gradually increase the speed as well as the duration. I have also decided to hit the weight machine three days a week.  I’m not expecting to end up looking like a body builder, but every little bit helps.

The next thing that I need to practice is my shooting.  While I have traditionally been a fairly efficient bowhunter, most of my shots have taken place at 20 yards or less.  In elk country, a 50-80 yard shot is not unheard of.  I have been faithful to shoot a few times a week but not too many at these longer distances.  I am going to shoot at twenty yards first then increase my distance by 10 yards each week.  As I increase the distances, I will still practice the shooter shots as well.  My goal is to have a one inch group at 10 yards, a 2-inch group at 20 yards, three at 30 and continue this pattern all the way out to 80 yards.  The eight inch group at 80 yards should still be within the kill zone of an elk.

Finally, I will need to make sure that my clothing is up to the demands of an elk hunt.  I will also need to purchase an adequate pair of hunting boots.  It is my understanding that this is among the most important items I will bring. A comfortable, well fitting boot makes all of the difference in the world. I’m not certain on the brand or model that I will buy, but the research has begun.

To sum it up, I have to make lots of preparations for the trip that I am about to take.  There are lots of unknowns. However, I guess it is pretty much that way in life.  We don’t always know what tomorrow holds, yet we need to be prepared to face it regardless. Although I don’t know what the future holds, I know who holds my future … Jesus is His name!