I’m an Adult-Onset Hunter, Here’s What I’ve Learned
My Motivation
“Did you grow up hunting?”
In Montana, where many kids tag their first deer before they can ride a bike, the question always made me feel a tad insecure. Admitting I was a brand new hunter always felt vulnerable in a culture where people seemed to pride themselves on how long they had been filling their freezers (yes plural freezers – I learned this is the norm).
But where I grew up, in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona, hunting was not the norm. It was seen as a “redneck” activity. Despite this stereotype, hunting had always piqued my interest. As someone who cared deeply about animals and the environment (even spending a short stint as a vegetarian), I felt increasingly uneasy about the realities of industrial meat production.
A college course on sustainable food systems finally connected the dots: my professor called hunting one of the most environmentally responsible ways to eat meat. From that moment, I vowed I’d become a hunter someday.
The Journey to Hunter
Right after college, I took a job in Bozeman, Montana. I didn’t know it was arguably one of the best places to live for hunting, but I was pleased to learn so. I moved in May, with rifle season starting in October. In my naivety, I figured I just needed a rifle and some camo. I quickly learned there was a lot more to it.
I first began with taking my Montana Hunter’s Education. Hunter Education taught me the rules; learning how to hunt was another matter entirely. That proved to be a bit trickier to learn. I felt overwhelmed, especially being new to the state. Where would I even go?
I was lucky enough to find friends who hunted and were willing to take a newbie with them. Without a hunting community, it would have been much more difficult. If you are interested in hunting, it will likely take asking an experienced hunter to take you out. Keep in mind, this can be a big ask.
Over the summer, I put in many miles hiking in the mountains, slowly accruing hunting gear, and target shooting with my rifle. I was already an experienced hiker and shooter, so those elements came easily to me. But hiking off-trail, with a heavy pack, and shooting under pressure, was completely new. I could hike on trails and shoot at the range all I wanted to, but this did not fully simulate the pressure I would feel when I had a deer in my crosshairs.
By late summer, with fall approaching, I focused on making sure I had the essentials. If you are brand new to hunting, the gear list may seem overwhelming. You do not need to go out and spend thousands on new gear – a lot of the hiking gear you already have will likely work, but there are a few unique, key essentials.
- A rifle, in an appropriate caliber. The caliber will vary depending on what you are hunting, but .308 and 6.5 Creedmoor are good overall options. You will also need a scope
- A hunting pack capable of hauling meat. If you’re going to splurge on a gear purchase, I’d recommend a pack – your back and knees will thank you!
- Sturdy boots – you will want a full shank, above-the-ankle boot for stability.
- Field processing tools – a knife, game bags, and rubber gloves.
A New Me
The first few times I went out hunting that season, I often did not even see an animal. For some reason, I had thought encounters would be much more prevalent, but I soon learned to temper my expectations. I absorbed as much as I could from my friends – why we chose a certain area, where we glassed (hunting is a jargon heavy hobby) signs of activity. While some moments were boring, time spent outside is never a waste.
Finally, on a trip to eastern Montana for deer, I found myself with a deer in my crosshairs. I set myself up, got the range, adjusted my scope – all the right things. Despite all my range time, my hands trembled. I took my first shot, and missed. As someone who had shot long range extensively, I was a bit surprised as the range was not very far. But when the fate of a wild animal is up to you, adrenaline can take over. Luckily the deer did not move much and I was able to take a second shot – this one from a calmer state. I made a good hit and life slipped away from the mule deer. It felt calm, ethical, and natural.
The packout was one of the hardest physical endeavors I ever completed, but I had never felt more proud. It pushed me both mentally and physically, and gave me a new respect for the animals who call this terrain home. Once back home, we processed the meat, and ate deer steaks for dinner. I couldn’t believe that I was the only one who ever touched this deer. From that moment on, I knew hunting would be my way of life.
Every hunting season, I learned something new. The progression to becoming a better hunter doesn’t always feel linear and isn’t tied to how full your freezer is. Now, five years in, I am proud to tell people I didn’t grow up hunting. Learning to hunt as an adult taught me that choosing a new path – especially one that demands patience, humility, and perseverance – is its own form of empowerment.
About the Gear Tester
