Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Leg cramps after hunting... Updated.

Update: yesterday (Sat 1/2/21) I wore a different pair of boots - not Muck boots. The result was no leg cramps last night! I guess that having the tight-fitting Muck boots on for 12 hours a day is what was causing my leg cramps. The only other boots I had to wear yesterday was a pair of un insulated snake boots, but they did the job, and more importantly showed me the Muck boots were the problem. I guess I’ll be shopping for some new boots later today.

Do many of y’all get leg cramps after getting home from hunting? I never get them while I am hunting, but many times after I get home (in the evenings). I carry a backpack to the tree, and have a small squeeze bottle of mustard with me in the stand. I eat mustard off and on during the day. I also drink a good amount of water. When I get back to the truck after the hunt I take three leg cramp pills (dissolve under tongue), and then take two more once I’m home (40-45 minutes later). I also drink a lot more water after I’m home. Despite all that, I sometimes still get leg cramps. Another thing I’ve found is that I can’t sit at home after hunting with my legs elevated (recliner), because that will almost immediately trigger the leg cramps. I’m 49 years old, and don’t have any plans to back off my hunting regimen, so I need to come up with a better solution than what I am currently trying.

Can any of y’all relate? What do y’all do to combat the leg cramps? Before you say drink pickle juice, let me say I’d rather take the leg cramps than drink pickle juice. So if you’ve got a good remedy OTHER THAN pickle juice I’d love to hear it.

Thanks.

Eat bananas

Think I would go see a doctor and have some blood work done . Definitely a potassium issue I’d say . I’m an old coach .

Cardio. Work out. I don't know what that other stuff you are doing relates to, but getting your heart rate up and working on your legs, that stuff won't exist.

Hydrate at least 2 days before, get good sleep

Pedialyte. You could have a nerve problem. I drink buckets of water during the summer and will still catch cramps. I started drinking pedialyte in the evenings and it makes a big difference.

Are you on a cholesterol med like Lipitor? Lots of folks get cramps because of it....You need to take OTC potassium

Do not take otc potassium until you go see a doc and get your blood work done. Get them to check potassium and magnesium levels. You are likely not low in potassium but may be in mag.

Yelp potassium, I’m almost 70 was having leg cramps bad talked to a good friend (md) and he told me to start drinking a nutrition drink (ensure, boost, dollar general brand) once a day and see if that would help. Long story short ever since I started doing that I’ve had no problems been over two years still doing good.

I will follow that up with saying taking potassium without needing it will....common sense... raise your potassium levels. If that gets to high it can cause lethal arrhythmias. I would try taking magnesium 400 mg every night for a week and see if that helps.

That don’t seem quiet right- I fat and out of shape and I don’t get cramps and I 51

Dr visit telling him what goin on May not be bad idea

Unless u walkin multiple miles to your stand up hill

My set ups are nice now - I usually don’t hav to walk over 200-350 yards and sometimes I may only walk 100 yards to stand

I hav gotten cramps turkey hunting but I may walk several miles

If u are walkin several miles to get to your stand - maybe nothing wrong - eat more banana

Is it only when hunting? I have a pair of the tall rubber muck boots that I have figured caused a lot of cramps. I guess they kept my foot or something at a bad angle. I changed foot ware and it almost eliminated them.

Is it the same stand? All the stands the same? Only during hunting season?

Just something to eliminate. The other suggestions are solid.

X2 I cramp from the base of my neck down to the tips of my toes due to my motor neuron disease.

Some good stuff here...

No, I’m not on a cholesterol med.

I walk anywhere from 150-350 yards to my stand locations.

Interestingly enough, I do wear Muck boots. I’ve thought about that, but can’t say for sure that that’s my problem. Something to dwell on though I reckon. Doesn’t matter what stand I hunt from, but I’m almost always in a climber.

You seem too young to be getting cramps without huge efforts (hundreds of yards). . You may want to see a doc.

Damn bro that doesn’t sound normal as others have said go get some bloodwork done.

This pic is all that I could think of reading your post. (sorry)

Cramps are usually a lack of hydration, but most people don't really sweat enough to dehydrate while hunting. This seems to be something different.
Where are the cramps? Calves, Quads, Hamstrings, Groin, Shins?
Seriously: You really should talk to a doctor.

(Unless you are walking a ton more than most people hunting.)

In a climber u can sit in some uncomfortable positions and the boots - maybe combination but I still see Dr to be safe

At my age - I rairly get in climber anymore

Ground blinds and an enclosed shoot house or a chair in long stretch of road is what I sit n now

You need magnesium. I take a daily dose. Cramps went away.

Cramps are always in my quads. I’m going to try a different pair of boots tomorrow, and see if that helps.

Beer Belly.... damn. Just damn! What in cornbread hail made you think of that pic???!!!!!!???

I’ll update around 9pm tomorrow night and let y’all know if changing the boots made a difference.