Is Your Nervous System Ready For Hunting Season
For many Montanans, September means one thing: bow hunting season is here. After months of preparation, hunters are finally heading into the mountains in pursuit of elk, deer, and unforgettable memories.
But bow hunting can demand a lot from your body. Hiking steep terrain, carrying a heavy pack, climbing over rocks and downfall, drawing a bow repeatedly, and spending long hours sitting or standing all require strength, coordination, balance, and endurance.
And there’s another important piece to consider: your nervous system.
Your nervous system plays an essential role in coordinating movement, balance, muscle activation, and your body’s response to stress. When you’re fatigued or under significant physical stress, these systems may not work as efficiently. Research has found that fatigue can negatively affect proprioception in the body’s ability to sense joint position which may affect movement and stability. This matters when you’re navigating uneven Montana terrain with a pack on your back.
Recovery is important too. Research has linked inadequate sleep with changes in physical performance, and some studies have found associations between poor sleep and injury risk. A long day in the mountains followed by poor recovery can leave you feeling stiff, tired, and less prepared for the next day’s adventure.
So what can you do?
Prepare your body before the season starts. Build strength, improve mobility, gradually increase hiking and pack-carrying, prioritize hydration and nutrition, and get adequate sleep. Your regular check-ups maintain healthy movement and address musculoskeletal issues that may interfere with your activities.
Verschueren, J., et al. (2020). Acute fatigue and lower-extremity injury risk factors. Sports Medicine.
Gong, M., et al. (2024). Effects of acute sleep deprivation on sporting performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nature and Science of Sleep.
Dobrosielski, D. A., et al. (2021). Poor sleep and sport/physical-training injuries: A systematic review. Sports Medicine.
