There’s a question that quietly echoes through hunting camps and backcountry bivies every season—and it has nothing to do with gear, tags, or tactics. It’s not flashy. It doesn’t trend on social media. But it might just be the most defining factor in whether or not a hunter ever reaches their full potential in the West.

The question? "Can I handle hunting solo?"

Recently, a message rolled in from a fellow hunter:
“I’m not a fan of solo hunting, but everyone bailed on me two years ago. I went on the hunt anyway… I tried twice, but I ended both trips early. I learned a lot, but I regret going home early.”

That one hits close to home—and not just for us. For any hunter who’s ever laced up their boots and walked into the wilderness alone, you know the gravity of it.

Let’s talk about it.

The Reality of Solo Hunting

On paper, solo hunting looks romantic—like a rite of passage. It’s just you, the mountains, and the game you’ve spent months preparing to find. But once you’re out there, and the sun dips behind the ridgeline, you realize something fast:

Everything is louder. Every feeling is heavier. And fear? It doesn’t whisper. It roars.

Solo hunting will test your mental strength in ways that group hunts simply can’t. There’s no one to lean on, no shared decision-making, no backup. It’s just you—and the truth.

The 5 Biggest Solo Hunting Challenges

If you’re thinking about hunting solo—or if you’ve tried and tapped out early—these are the five things you need to be ready for:

1. Facing Your Fear

This is the gatekeeper. If you don’t come to terms with the fear of being alone, nothing else matters. Start small. Get reps in. Do overnighters. Build tolerance. Fear is natural, but it can also be deadly if it drives panic. Embrace it. Train your mind like you train your legs.

2. Fitness

You’re the entire crew. You break trail, haul meat, and make decisions—all alone. Physical failure isn’t an inconvenience; it can end the hunt—or worse. Train for real. Build strength and stamina like your life depends on it—because out here, it just might.

3. Risk Management

Being bold is one thing. Being reckless is another. Slow down. Take fewer chances. When you're alone, every move matters more. If you have a family counting on you back home, let that guide your decisions in the field.

4. Weather

The mountains don’t care that you’re solo. Storms roll in whether you’re ready or not. Always pack like you’ll have to wait it out. Carry the gear. And maybe more importantly—carry the mental toughness to stay calm through the storm.

5. Navigation

Your phone isn’t your plan. It’s just one tool in the toolbox. Carry backups. Know how to use a map and compass. Carry a GPS communicator like the Garmin InReach. If you get turned around out there, there’s no buddy system to rely on.

The Pack Out Reality

Killing an animal solo is only half the battle. The pack out is where things get real.

You have to be honest with yourself:
Can you make all the trips without wrecking your body or ruining the meat?
Use trekking poles. Eat when you’re not hungry. Drink when you’re not thirsty. Rest often.

And above all—be grateful. It’s hard. It should be. That’s what makes it worth doing.

The Deeper Pull of Going Solo

When you hunt solo, the backcountry feels different. It’s sharper. Louder. More real. You notice the wind shift sooner. You move with more intention. You feel alive in a way that’s hard to explain.

Solo hunting isn't for everyone. And that’s okay. But if you can prepare your mind and body for it, you might just discover a version of yourself you’ve never met before.

Don’t Let Quitting Become a Habit

There’s a quiet danger that creeps in on solo hunts: quitting.

It doesn't come with a dramatic decision—it disguises itself as logic. Comfort. The “smart move.”

But quitting is still quitting.

Every time you pack out early, you reinforce a pattern. And that pattern will follow you into every future hunt. Soon enough, it becomes the norm.

Brian Call said it best:

“Quitting early only means you are quarantined to look at yourself as a loser once you get home.”

It’s harsh—but it’s honest.

We’ve all had hunts that felt hopeless—right up until the last hour of the last day when everything changed. Stay. Push through. Finish what you started.

You’re Capable of More Than You Know

Solo hunting isn’t about being a hero. It’s not about doing it the hard way for bragging rights. It’s about growth. It’s about grit. And it’s about getting out of your own way so you can become the hunter—and the person—you were meant to be.

Get prepared. Get fit. Face your fears.

You might be surprised by what you're truly capable of—when it's just you, your tag, and the backcountry.