Age with Mischief and Audacity: Hunting at any Stage of Life
By: Ashley Holm
Hunting isn’t a young person’s game. It isn’t reserved for weathered veterans with calloused hands or adrenaline-fueled teenagers chasing their first trophy. Hunting is for anyone with the curiosity, courage, and a little bit of mischief. Whether you’re 15 or 55, or even 75, if you can shoulder a shotgun or steady a rifle on a tripod, the outdoors is calling your name.
The hunting world is opening its doors wider than ever, and women of all ages are stepping through with confidence. From mentorship programs to beginner-friendly workshops, there’s an entire network of hunters ready to guide you. The focus is no longer on experience or age but on respect for the land, understanding the craft, and a willingness to learn.
New Hunters Are Welcome
When you’re new, it can be intimidating. The jargon, the gear, the techniques, it’s a lot. But the community is surprisingly welcoming. Women are mentoring women, sharing tips from loading a gun safely to reading animal tracks in the snow. Social media groups, local hunting clubs, and nonprofit organizations are making it easier than ever to find guidance, camaraderie, and inspiration.
Start Where You Are
Physical ability is key. Let’s be honest: not everyone can trek through knee-deep mud or crawl through a swamp. And that’s okay. Hunting isn’t a race; it’s a practice in patience, strategy, and respect for nature. If you’re 65 with a bad hip, there’s no shame in sticking to accessible hunts and sitting in a stand, observing wildlife, or taking on slower-paced upland bird hunting. If you’re 18 and bursting with energy, go explore more physically demanding hunts, but always with safety in mind.
Start slow, and build confidence and stamina. Simple hunts can teach you more than complicated ones if you’re paying attention. Learn your gun, learn your limits, learn the land. The thrill isn’t in how fast you move but in every moment of connection with the outdoors.
Tips for Hunters of All Ages
Know Your Gear: Learn your firearm or bow inside and out. Safety first.
Start Small: Choose hunts that match your mobility and endurance. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional slower-paced sit-and-wait hunt.
Learn from Others: Mentors, clubs, and online communities are goldmines of advice and encouragement.
Stay Safe: Don’t push past your limits. Hiking through swamps, climbing rugged terrain, or dragging game can be dangerous if your body isn’t ready.
Enjoy the Process: Hunting is as much about patience, observation, and connection with nature as it is about the harvest.
Age and physical ability are not barriers; they are simply parameters to plan around. Hunting is a world of patience, and yes, a little bit of mischief. It doesn’t matter when you start; it matters that you do. Step into the field, hold your firearm with confidence, and embrace the wild at any stage of life.
Because in the hunting world, experience isn’t measured in years, it’s measured in courage, curiosity, and the audacity to try.
