How old is too old to apply for physical hunts?

[T Chris]

I was just reading the comments in another thread about moose, sheep and goat applications and I saw several members here indicating that they are getting up there in years and are considering not applying in the future. As I write this post, I’m 54 and hoping to retire in a couple years and then utilize my new freedom to hunt significantly more than my current vacation allowance affords me. As I think about this, I wonder how long I can expect to be capable of mountain hunting over great distances with only my trekking poles and a good pack.

So I’m looking to the old timers here to give me some hope that I can continue hunting well into my 60s and hopefully even into my early 70s. And yes, I’m sure anyone can hunt until they are 100 if they just get in a vehicle and hunt high fence. I mean real hunting that requires stamina and physical ability. What do you think? I’m looking for real experience and examples. Thanks

 

[SAJ-99]

I was just reading the comments in another thread about moose, sheep and goat applications and I saw several members here indicating that they are getting up there in years and are considering not applying in the future. As I write this post, I’m 54 and hoping to retire in a couple years and then utilize my new freedom to hunt significantly more than my current vacation allowance affords me. As I think about this, I wonder how long I can expect to be capable of mountain hunting over great distances with only my trekking poles and a good pack.

So I’m looking to the old timers here to give me some hope that I can continue hunting well into my 60s and hopefully even into my early 70s. And yes, I’m sure anyone can hunt until they are 100 if they just get in a vehicle and hunt high fence. I mean real hunting that requires stamina and physical ability. What do you think? I’m looking for real experience and examples. Thanks

There is no single answer. Everyone's body gives out at a different time. Hopefully you haven't noticed much change yet. LOL. The reality is none of us get out of here alive, so do it while you can. I too have looked at things like the odds for sheep and wonder how long I buy that lottery ticket. It's more a cost vs odds than it is time.

 

[T Chris]

There is no single answer. Everyone's body gives out at a different time. Hopefully you haven't noticed much change yet. LOL. The reality is none of us get out of here alive, so do it while you can. I too have looked at things like the odds for sheep and wonder how long I buy that lottery ticket. It's more a cost vs odds than it is time.

I agree there isn’t a single answer, but there can be examples of what others have experienced based on their own personal experience. That’s what I’m asking.

 

[Big Fin]

I'm going to be 62 in November. I signed up for a backpack caribou hunt this August as a motivation to not let my body fall apart sooner than Father Time will disassemble the pieces. I am stunned at how fast things have changed since age 55.

However much preparation you do, it probably won't be enough. If you are semi-sedentary/sedentary, plan a hunt accordingly, or get to a higher plane of fitness, today. You might mentally "tough it out," but the physics and physiology of the human body in a state of indolence is not going to do what your mind is asking it to do.

By the time we get to 55, we all have something(s) that impair our mobility or strength. For me, the challenge has been making accommodations for an accumulation of lifetime injury/damage. I'm lucky to have never encountered a knee or ankle problem, something that many hunters struggle with. My shoulders sound like a bag of marbles when I do a jumping jack, but that's the case for pretty much any person I know over age 50. I lost the two tendons on the outside of my right wrist in 2023, so finding ways to modify exercise for that has been a pain. I detached a posterior tibial tendon, which is another PITA, but with orthotics, is manageable.

I'm doing another video course for MTN TOUGH, Always Ready 50+ (I think they should title it 60+). It launches next month. We're on week 12, the final week. Yesterday I did a 45# pack workout for 45 minutes, 3mph at a 15% incline interrupted by step ups, reverse lunges, and plank 20# pull throughs, all while wearing the pack. Brutal. Every joint hurts this morning. Tells me that I better get my arse moving more before August.

Rambling thoughts from a guy who dreams of mountain hunting for another 15 years. Time will tell.

 

[JohnBud]

I'm going to be 62 in November. I signed up for a backpack caribou hunt this August as a motivation to not let my body fall apart sooner than Father Time will disassemble the pieces. I am stunned at how fast things have changed since age 55.

However much preparation you do, it probably won't be enough. If you are semi-sedentary/sedentary, plan a hunt accordingly, or get to a higher plane of fitness, today. You might mentally "tough it out," but the physics and physiology of the human body in a state of indolence is not going to do what your mind is asking it to do.

By the time we get to 55, we all have something(s) that impair our mobility or strength. For me, the challenge has been making accommodations for an accumulation of lifetime injury/damage. I'm lucky to have never encountered a knee or ankle problem, something that many hunters struggle with. My shoulders sound like a bag of marbles when I do a jumping jack, but that's the case for pretty much any person I know over age 50. I lost the two tendons on the outside of my right wrist in 2023, so finding ways to modify exercise for that has been a pain. I detached a posterior tibial tendon, which is another PITA, but with orthotics, is manageable.

I'm doing another video course for MTN TOUGH, Always Ready 50+ (I think they should title it 60+). It launches next month. We're on week 12, the final week. Yesterday I did a 45# pack workout for 45 minutes, 3mph at a 15% incline interrupted by step ups, reverse lunges, and plank 20# pull throughs, all while wearing the pack. Brutal. Every joint hurts this morning. Tells me that I better get my arse moving more before August.

Rambling thoughts from a guy who dreams of mountain hunting for another 15 years. Time will tell.

Thank you for that. There are many of us out here that would benefit from the 60+ version of MTN TOUGH.

 

[wytex]

You just have to hunt smarter in very physical areas. Not slowing down just yet here but I don't put myself in any position to get hurt if I can help it.
50's are good years, 60's are where you start feeling it more every day.
Stay in shape and go hunt.
Hitting the gym 4 times a week certainly helps me stay fit enough for physical hunts at this time but I'm not going into some hell hole to get an animal.

 

[brownbear932008]

I see the same post and I've pondered the same question. I really want to mountain goat hunt once before I die. I've been wondering when that may not be a realistic choice. I would think it could be a real struggle for most people above 60 on average. But, everyone is different and some hold together longer.
I don't want to be that guy that draws a tag someone could've actually filled and I couldn't give it the justice it deserves. I don't know there is a clear cut answer to the question. I try to look at units and decide if it's doable before applying especially sheep, all goat hunts are pretty much a physical struggle for most guys and there are not but a few that could be easier based on animal locations and access.
I often wonder if a lot of the tags drawn are even hunted once the tag holder has it in hand and realizes it's not physically possible after a day or two.

 

[fowladdict]

This got me thinking...I wonder what the average age is for guys drawing NR tags for sheep, moose and goats are these days (Point states).

Edit: My dad's former co-worker drew moose in WY at age 74 with max Moose points.

 

[brymoore]

I took my dad on his first elk hunt when he was 65. Real wilderness type deal. He did fine except for complaining about his bad back after we killed two elk two miles from camp. I spent two days packing elk solo. He climbed around for mule deer too.

There are easy and hard places to hunt. Change your tactics to match your body as you get older. I’m always joking about getting a horse but it might happen if I need its help to climb mountains and pack elk.

 

[noharleyyet]

You just have to hunt smarter in very physical areas. Not slowing down just yet here but I don't put myself in any position to get hurt if I can help it.
50's are good years, 60's are where you start feeling it more every day.
Stay in shape and go hunt.
Hitting the gym 4 times a week certainly helps me stay fit enough for physical hunts at this time but I'm not going into some hell hole to get an animal

Yessir...non injurious resistance training with 5-7 week days of prioritised cardio. No hell holes, death marches, or motorcycles.

 

[T Chris]

Yessir...non injurious resistance training with 5-7 week days of prioritised cardio. No hell holes, death marches, or motorcycles.

I like the “no motorcycles” comment

They’re a source of serious injury the way I see it.

 

[WapitiBob]

Just turned 70 and am hunting 3 states this year; I try to hunt smarter, not harder.

 

[SAJ-99]

My answer is 67 yrs 43 days. Maybe 44 days if you lived a clean life.

I found the previous thread on this topic. Lasted about 6 months and provided no help to your question.

How old is too old to hunt?

If one is fundamentally healthy and can deal with all the things that crop up with old age, then it shouldn't be a problem. How old is the oldest hunter you know?

www.hunttalk.com

 

[pabearhunter]

Well I guess I am just lucky. I just turned 77 and hunt alone when the wife can't go. I walk 3 to 5 miles a week lift some weights on the days I don't walk. I start shooting my Mathews compound in may and practice till bow season is over. I live in Pa. so we do have some pretty good climbs. I just TAKES A LITTLE LONGER TO GET TO THE TOP. If you don't have something seriously wrong with you stop complaining and start working forward to a great hunting season.

 

[T Chris]

My answer is 67 yrs 43 days. Maybe 44 days if you lived a clean life.

I found the previous thread on this topic. Lasted about 6 months and provided no help to your question.

How old is too old to hunt?

If one is fundamentally healthy and can deal with all the things that crop up with old age, then it shouldn't be a problem. How old is the oldest hunter you know?

www.hunttalk.com

In my defense I think my question is more focused than the other thread. Really looking at tough and physically demanding hunts. I have no expectation that I will receive a definitive age at which folks are too old, but we are hearing from real life examples of folks that are in their 60s and 70s and how they are handling their hunts.

 

[SAJ-99]

In my defense I think my question is more focused than the other thread. Really looking at tough and physically demanding hunts. I have no expectation that I will receive a definitive age at which folks are too old, but we are hearing from real life examples of folks that are in their 60s and 70s and how they are handling their hunts.

We are about the same age so I get the question. I ask it to myself all the time. There are lots of variables. Do you hunt alone? If no, how old are other hunters? Most of the problem is physical issues getting some out. In regards to terrain, things like antelope hunts will be easier and allow you to hunt at an older age than elk which will be easier than mountain goat.

Sure, I’m an idiot and applied for Mountain Goat, but the thought of doing it DIY gets more complicated each year.