I’ve talked to thousands of hunters. And there’s one sentence I hear over and over again, more than any other:
“I waited too long to book this hunt.”
It usually comes with the rest of it. “I finally have the time. I finally have the money. But my body won’t let me do it.”
So this piece is for two kinds of people: the ones who aren’t there yet, and the ones who already are.
If you’re not there yet: don’t wait for the time and money
Take advantage of your youth. Make the time and make the money to do it, and do it now.
Take a page out of my book. When I say I changed my entire life to be able to hunt the way I want to, I mean I didn’t wait until I had the time and the money. I just started figuring it out. I made the time, and I figured out the money to go on the adventures I wanted to go on.
That started when I turned 40. I’ll turn 47 this year.
Take care of your body so you can elk hunt into your 60s and 70s
The second thing I tell people: take care of your body. One of my major goals is to still be doing that hard backcountry elk hunt well into my twilight years.
I didn’t always believe that was possible. About 10 years ago, I guided a couple of guys on an archery elk hunt. They were pushing 67 and 69 years old, and they did fantastic. That hunt changed my whole perception of how long I could keep hunting the way I want to hunt.
So here’s what I actually do, week in and week out:
- Running: 1 to 2 miles, five days a week. That keeps my cardiovascular endurance up and my legs in shape.
- Weight training: four to five days a week. That builds muscle and keeps my bone density up.
- CrossFit: three to four days a week. For me, that’s mostly about mental toughness. It keeps my head at a level where I can handle a backcountry elk hunt.
- Stretching, mobility, and balance: every single day, before and after every workout. I spend almost as much time on this as I do on the workout itself. A full-body routine.
Food is simple for me. My one rule: stay away from fast food and junk food. I cook most of my own food, and a lot of it is elk and deer I’ve killed myself. That keeps my body weight under control and my body healthy. If you need ideas for what to do with the meat, our wild game cookbook is full of them.
The part of an elk hunt people underestimate
Here’s what breaks people. It’s not one steep climb. Most people can push through a strenuous hike for an hour or two.
It’s 4 to 5 hours of it. And then doing it again the next day, and the day after that. Day in and day out. That’s what really breaks people on an elk hunt.
If you’re already in your twilight years
If you’re reading this and thinking, “Kurt, that ship sailed,” hear me out. It’s not too late.
It’s not too late to eat healthy and exercise. Start as soon as possible. Talk to your doctor first, then get moving. And don’t forget to work on your balance and mobility. That’s just as important as everything else.
An elk hunt is still not out of the question for you. You may just have to pivot.
Instead of the backpack, backcountry hunt, look at hunts that do the hard miles for you:
- Horseback hunts. The horses carry you and your gear into elk country. Look at our horseback Colorado elk hunt, rated low to medium physical level for rifle hunters, or our Southwest Colorado horseback elk hunt.
- Private land hunts with ATVs and UTVs. Less walking. Look at our Southwest Colorado private land elk hunt or our New Mexico private ranch elk hunt. We broke down more on private land elk hunting in Colorado too.
And if drawing a bow has gotten hard on your shoulders, a crossbow may be your ticket. Here’s where you can hunt elk with a crossbow out West.
There’s a hunt out there for everybody. It may not be exactly what your dream hunt was, because of your new physical limitations. But we can still get you on a good-quality hunt.
Elk Hunting Over 60 FAQ
Can you go elk hunting in your 60s or 70s?
Yes. Plenty of hunters elk hunt well into their 60s and 70s. I’ve guided hunters pushing 67 and 69 on an archery elk hunt, and they did fantastic. The key is matching the hunt to your body.
What is the best type of elk hunt for older hunters?
Private land hunts and horseback hunts are usually the best fit. Private land hunts often use ATVs or UTVs to cut down on walking, and horseback hunts let the horses carry you into the backcountry.
How many hours a day do you hike on an elk hunt?
On a backcountry elk hunt, 4 to 5 hours of hiking a day is common, and you do it day after day. Private land and horseback hunts usually take far less walking.
How should I train for an elk hunt as I get older?
Mix cardio, strength training, and daily stretching, mobility, and balance work. Train for long days on your feet, not just short bursts. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Is it too late to start getting in shape for elk hunting?
No. It’s not too late to start eating healthy and exercising, even in your twilight years. The sooner you start, the more hunt options you’ll keep open.
Don’t be the guy who waited
If you’re still young enough to do the hard hunt, take advantage of your youth and go do it. Make the time and figure out the money.
If you’re past that point, don’t write yourself off. Let’s find the hunt that fits the body you have right now. Our consultants are working guides. Browse everything on the Hunt Adventures page, or reach out and let’s talk.
We talk about this kind of stuff on the Hunt Podcast all the time.
Hunting is not a hobby. It’s an obsession.
— Kurt
