Someone recently asked me if it was “ok” to get into hunting later in life. Pretty much…can you teach an old dog new tricks? My answer: Better late than never. I definitely started “later” in life by most standards. There’s probably more 12 year olds out there that have killed more deer than me, than I can count. Am I mad about it? Nope. Am I jealous? Ya…you bet your ass I am…only because, I didn’t find this sport earlier in life, simply because I didn’t grow up around it. Hunting for me, has become a release…getting out into the woods…the sights, the smells, the learning experiences, the memories all of it.
I don’t think there’s an age limit on hunting. I don’t think there’s a starting age either. I see guys and girls taking their young kids into the woods and I say to myself, “to be that connected to nature, at such a young age, that’s something special. That kid will grow up with a completely different respect and perspective for the wild places than the average person will”.
I wish I had gotten into it much younger, but that’s the way life goes sometimes. I currently feel like I’m making up for lost time though. While most people only get to hunt their home states, or go on a few bucket list hunts in a life time, I’ve made quick work of getting out to some remote places to chase game, some folks can only dream about.
So, should you try to get into hunting later in life? Of course. Try everything once, right? I try to get as many of my friends out into the woods as possible, the same as I try to introduce younger kids to the sport as well. I took my hunter safety course about 15 years ago, didn’t get my first license until a few years after that, and didn’t really start hunting until my early 20’s. Even then, it was sporadic, and only when a friend would call me to go out and try and kick up some pheasant or pond hop for ducks. I unsuccessfully bow hunted for deer a few times in my late 20’s and didn’t take my first “Big Game” animal until I was almost 30.
Almost 6 years later, I’ve barely scratched the surface when it comes to knowledge of big game hunting, and I’m doing everything I can (using up all of my vacation time at work) to travel this beautiful country in the pursuit of wild game. I love this culture, and the history behind it. I enjoy being the future of the sport, and getting others involved. So NO, it’s never too late to get into hunting. Whether you’re 16 or 65, YOU are the future of this sport, the inspirations for the next generation, and the one that can help make a difference and open minds to this culture and its deep rooted traditions. Get out there and hunt.
Black Dirt Diaries 