What’s the farthest distance you’ve hiked in 1 day for hunting?

N

Newpond0

Member
I went pretty far along an atv trail yesterday that I couldn’t access in my truck. I called a few sets on the way in but it got me thinking what’s the farthest reasonable walk to do in a day
 
I hunt on public land and some of my stands are 2-6 miles from the truck.

I workout (pushups, sit-ups, and stretch ) Monday-Friday in the mornings along with walking (carry 20lbs in a pack back) and according to my Fitbit I walk 30-40 miles a week on average. I like to eat and I have a busy mind even at 54 so this is how I control my weight and stress.
 
For predator calling? Not very far. I once did a loop of about five miles with a crazy guy from AZ. Aside from that, I'm with Huachuca Caller - typically within 1/2 mile of the truck. There is a lot of country to call here, so I'd rather make more stands than spend time walking. Later in the year, after they've been called at a lot, I will move farther away from roads to get "fresh ears" or at least try to find predators that are more at ease and will to respond. I also often call with a couple older fellas who aren't up for long hikes, so when I'm with them we usually hunt withing 300-400 yards of the vehicle.
 
I used to hunt large wildlife areas and make all day loops through them. We used to have a great stand we referred to as the death march as it was a long hike for one stand. When I didn't have partner I used the bicycle and with snow my skis. I usually saved it for a partner. It was a great stand.

Here in the SW I stay closer to the road but can get to a lot of remote places on the MC.
 
Predator hunting, not far at all. Max would be half a mile and I can’t think of where I’d park to make that happen.
Turkey hunting I put in 13 miles round trip once for a bird. It was a heavier walk out than in, but that was a good thing. I normally average about 7-9 miles a day for my out of State trips.
 
Last spring turkey hunting one mourning my phone said I took 19,769 steps and climbed 33 flights of steps. Yep, it is really hilly here. That was about twice the average for the month-long season, as it took me till the last day to fill my second tag. My wife had put this 'health' app on my phone over the winter and I was amazed at the 'mileage' i put on while chasing gobblers. Not too bad for 73, I don't think.
 
My walking distance is variable. I probably walk 5-10 miles in an average day/half day of coyote calling. Some of the stands I call will be only 100-200 yards from my truck. Most are 400-800 yard walk. A few stands are a mile hike. Occasionally I’ll hike big loop and make multiple stands but usually return to the truck between stands.
 
Day hunting up to a mile but most 800yds or less. Night hunting 50yds to put caller out and usually stand by vehicle. 95% of my places I can drive in to. I do try to get out into the field a ways being I think calling near the road is tougher
 
Furthest on purpose, or furthest because I had to? Like, got stuck and had to walk out for help? That would be 17 miles, two days in a row. At a total of 34 miles I came up on a Sheriff parked in the middle of the road who just happened to be looking for me. I was a few days late getting home by that point and my Wife had stirred up a hornets nest of crap with the local authorities. It was in Nevada and when she first called them they told her I was probably sleeping off a drunk in a brothel somewhere and not to bother them. She "escalated" things after that and by the time I walked all the way out half the county was out looking for me.

- DAA
 
DAA said:
Like, got stuck and had to walk out for help? That would be 17 miles, two days in a row.
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Dang, Dave, at first glance I wondered why you got stuck 17 miles from hard ground two days in a row. :ROFLMAO: Then I read on........
Farthest I've been stuck away from help was less than 2 miles, but luckily Warn saved me the walk. My partner (AKA swamper:ROFLMAO:) probably walked at least two miles that day running out the winch line, though.
 
I don't walk far hunting - ride ATV. Did hike about 6 mi. @ 9k ft on 55 aniv. in Estes. Had to have help getting down - dang alt sickness wasn't fun at all. Was fine the next day.
 
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