My elk season starts October 14. I hunt in SW Colorado out of a camp at about 11000 feet elevation. We are DIY hunters and set up a 12' x 14' canvas wall tent and heat it with firewood. I look forwards to this hunt and prepare almost all year long. Probably by early February I'm thinking ahead, not very constantly or intensely, but still thinking ahead. Of all my different outdoor pursuits and activities this has been the best, the most absorbing and gripping.


I am 61 years old and exercise most of the year. In the winter months, my exercise is less frequent than it is when the season is closer, but I keep up some exercises like deadlifts, barbell squats, and the like to keep from having to start those from scratch. But I'll walk less frequently; I'll walk without a loaded pack. I'll skip planned workouts more often. But as spring time is spinning up I'll work harder in the gym, working hardest the last couple of months before the hunt -- right now.


As the hunt approaches I reread books on elk hunting, less to find new information than to conjure the spirit and excitement of elk hunting, to start getting in the mood, to get my mind focused and imagining scenarios. I like to start finding my gear well in advance of the hunt and checking it out -- first to avoid a huge task all at the last minute (distribute the work over extended time to reduce the perceived load and trouble) and second to enjoy the reminders of past hunts and stimulate imagination of the coming hunt.