A wise man once said, “You only need to be in good enough shape to do the things you want to do.” I have taken his sage advice to heart and therefore do not run marathons, triathlons or any other type of ’thon. Come to think of it, I rarely run at all.

I’m not saying that exercise isn’t important. We all know that being in shape contributes a great deal to hunting success. But what kind of shape do we need to be in?

Studies consistently show that the average hunter rarely ventures more than a mile from an established road. If that’s you, then you don’t need to be running 10 miles a day, unless you want to. If you find that kind of thing enjoyable, I have the number of a good psychiatrist.

If you like to push yourself to your absolute physical limits while you’re hunting, then you need to put down the chips and get off the couch. People die every year by going from total inactivity to punishing 15-mile hikes.

What I’m saying is that you need to tailor your exercise program to meet your needs. If you went everywhere you wanted to go and did everything you wanted to do, then keep doing what you’re doing. However, if you are more like me and were dragging your tongue behind you halfway through the season vowing to be in better shape this year, cut hunting days short or miss a day or two because you needed a break, then maybe a change is in order.

There are endless options for exercise programs to choose from. From CrossFit to yoga, what works for one person may not be the best for another. The best approach is to do a little research and try different exercises out to see which ones best meet your needs.

I like to do a little mix and match. Depending on how I feel, I may do a short, high-intensity workout, some long, slow cardio, strength training and maybe even a little yoga.

Whatever you choose to do, make sure you are actually training for the type of hunting you do. Don’t just plod along on a treadmill or spin the tire of your exercise bike. Mimic your hunt as best you can.

I like to backpack-hunt. As hunting season approaches, you will see me walking to and from work with my weighted backpack to strengthen shoulder and back muscles that I don’t use much the rest of the year. Don’t stare, it’s not polite.

Vary your workouts as much as you can to avoid getting bored. Walk to and from work a couple of days a week. Hike a hill every few days. Throw in a day of calisthenics or weights.

I’m not sure how the physics of Eastern Oregon works, but it seems to me that every direction is up. Even walking back down to the truck involves a lot of up. Incorporating some lunges into your life can help flatten out those hills a little bit.

Getting your back into shape is just as important as good cardiovascular health. Every year I have patients in a rush to get their back fixed before hunting season, and every year I have guys come in to get their back fixed after hunting season.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Your spine is like a tower held up by cables attached to the ground. Those cables are the muscles and tendons of your stomach and back. If those muscles and tendons are in good shape, the spine maintains correct alignment. If they are weak, then you get bulging discs and pinched nerves.

Even if you already have back problems, strengthening your core will improve your spine health and may even alleviate the back pain you are suffering with. Chat with your doc or physical therapist. They can recommend exercises and stretches to meet your needs. Ten or 15 minutes of stretching and crunches in the morning or before bed at night just may change your life.

In addition to exercise, improving your flexibility and range of motion will help you travel farther, have less soreness and decrease your risk of injury. Pulled hamstring, anyone?

Our day-to-day lives are spent on flat surfaces. Nothing in nature is flat. You are constantly stepping on or over rocks and down trees, sidehilling around the mountain and jumping over ditches and ravines.

While you are standing around at work, stand on one foot for as long as you can, then alternate. Not only does that work on balance, but it also helps strengthen your core and stabilizer muscles. While you are doing your walk, throw in some high steps like you are stepping over a log.

Most of us don’t need to be in marathon shape, but most of us could be in better shape to be more productive hunters. Excuses are endless: I’m too tired, I’m too busy, my knees or back hurt.

Start with a plan. It doesn’t have to be hours a day, just 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there, 30 minutes every other day. Then take the first step. Even if you are hating it, make yourself move. Once you are in motion, it gets easier.

I’m not going to say that being in better condition will guarantee a harvested animal, but you will have a much more enjoyable hunt. In my book, that is a successful hunt.