Benefits of Hunting Land for Physical Fitness and Mental Health

Owning hunting land has more benefits than just having access to private land without the hassle of management – though that’s certainly a perk. The ability to hunt, hike or simply use your property for whatever recreational activity you wish can lead to a notable improvement in your mood and overall health.

The benefits of being in nature are generally undisputed, especially activities like hiking since it requires trekking miles across varied and often elevated terrain. Some types of hunting can be just as much of a workout, if not more so.

Health professionals typically recommend working out at least 2.5 hours a week. Although this can be spread throughout the week, not everyone has extra time to fit exercise into their daily schedule. Weekend hunting excursions can provide the opportunity to get more than the recommended amount of physical activity all at once while also unwinding.

Physical Health Benefits of Hunting

Full-Body Workout

Tracking game is a physically exhaustive activity. It requires stalking a lengthy distance back and forth across sometimes elevated terrain, which can improve cardiovascular health and strengthen muscles. Hunting is also a dynamic workout that incorporates many different areas of physical fitness, from enhancing your endurance to testing your ability to be still in a virtual meditative state while maintaining focus.

Improved Coordination

Hunting will enhance your hand-eye coordination. Tracking game involves navigating forests, crossing streams, climbing hills and other terrain that challenges your balance and coordination, while aiming and handling equipment tests your fine motor skills.

Outdoor Exposure

Hunting is exclusively an outdoor activity. Spending time outdoors exposes you to fresh air and sunlight, both of which are crucial to maintaining your physical health. The natural light helps regulate your sleep cycle by increasing melatonin production, while the physical activity boosts endorphin levels – enhancing your well-being.

Bow Hunting

Both the practice at archery range and the act of bow hunting can be an extraordinary strength-building activity. Some estimates suggest a single hour-long archery session can burn between 300 and 400 calories. Upping draw height or increasing shooting distance can further increase the strength building or calory burning benefits.

Bow hunters essentially get a full-body workout that requires the use of hands, arms, chest and upper back muscles as well as the aerobic requirements of traversing diverse environs while tracking game.

Mental Health Benefits

Stress Reduction

Hunting is the perfect chance to escape the stress of the city, technology, noise – basically everything man-made and aggravating. It demands pure concentration and being fully present, akin to meditation and yoga. The experience of solitude in a quiet, serene environment that requires you to focus on nothing but tracking your game can significantly reduce stress levels, helping you relax and clear your mind.

Quiet Contemplation

Hunting requires a lot of quiet contemplation, focusing on breathing deeply and soundlessly while observing game, all of which is good for your mind and body. Moreover, the skills required in tracking and stalking game can hone your mind and help you feel more present in the moment.

Achievement and Confidence

The feeling of success after hunting shouldn’t be underestimated. Setting a goal, exerting yourself in pursuit of that goal and achieving it provides a sense of accomplishment that can affect your mood long-term.

Winning in any competitive endeavor, which hunting fundamentally is, triggers a release of dopamine, meaning the elevated emotion you feel afterward is powerful biologically as well as situationally. While failing to catch your quarry can make you feel down, tolerating adversity and persevering makes the eventual win all the more rewarding.

Connection with Nature

Within the mayhem of the city and the chaos of your day-to-day life, it’s often hard to forget the natural beauty of the planet we’re living on and our connection with it. The diverse landscapes of Texas offer the perfect backdrop in which to remind yourself of the splendor found outside of major metro areas.

Being within nature while hunting can enhance your connection to nature. The sights, sounds and smells of the natural environment can stimulate your senses and enhance your mood, while the cacophony of urban settings tends to worsen anxiety.

Social Connection

While hunting can be a solitary activity, it doesn’t have to be. Many hunt with friends or family to strengthen bonds, which is an essential component of good mental health.

Hunt, Hike and Explore the Vast Texas Nature Preserve Within a Luxury Home Community

At Ranger Ridge, members can enjoy the outdoorsman lifestyle and pass it on to their children inside 2,600 acres of pristine Texas landscape. Design your dream home on a five to eight-acre parcels inside a huntsman community with diverse game from all across the globe to hunt with your family and a like-minded, tight-knit group of neighbors. Plus, enjoy access to country club amenities like professional grade shooting and equestrian facilities.

Browse specs of potential home layouts or call (817) 618-6773 to schedule a tour of the community today.