Deep in the mountains of Colorado, winter winds sweep across the mighty Rockies. Green leaves sway in a medley of fiery oranges and deep reds, snow crowns the mountaintops, and Stephanie Vu, 36, stands utterly still—her heart beats furiously, adrenaline courses through her veins, yet she remains silent, steadfast, motionless, her eyes fixated on an elk weighing nearly 800 pounds standing just 15 yards away. She notes his antlers, four points on each side—a young bull. It’s the perfect setup, her opportunity at last. 

Who is Stephanie Vu?

“As a hunter, and as a Vietnamese-American woman, I know I’m not what most people imagine, but I’ve found that hunting can be profoundly peaceful,” said Stephanie. “I set out to find that peace, to see and respect these animals in their natural environment, and to challenge myself in ways I never thought possible.” 

Raised in Chalmette, Louisiana, a small town just outside New Orleans, Stephanie spent her childhood cruising the waters of Lake Pontchartrain, fishing and jet skiing on her father’s boat. It wasn’t until her aunt invited them to Snowmass, Colorado, that she first experienced the beauty of the mountains. Skiing became a family tradition, and each year they trekked west to escape the humid bayous of home to carve fresh pow on the mountainside.

“In the summer, my parents would also take us to national parks like Yellowstone, Glacier, and the Grand Canyon,” said Stephanie. “They fostered our love for the outdoors a few times a year and became pioneers in our extended family by adventuring beyond the ordinary.” 

Despite her family’s love for the outdoors, hunting was not something Stephanie’s parents fully embraced. 

“I don’t tell my parents much about what I do,” said Stephanie. “The few times I tried, my parents were like, ‘This makes me worry. It sounds dangerous, and I don’t want to hear about it.’” 

Stephanie’s parents came to the United States during the Vietnam War, where camping outside under a starry night for fun was never an option. Why voluntarily sleep on the ground? Why risk your life when you can pursue a highly respected, financially stable profession like the rest of your family?

“All of my older relatives are doctors,” said Stephanie. “Optometrists, dentists, dermatologists, and pharmacists—that was the path expected of me.” 

But why not both? Stephanie transitioned from engineering and is now an intellectual property lawyer specializing in patent prosecution and trademark work in addition to hunting, biathlon, backcountry skiing, trail running, dirt biking…the list goes on and on.

“My dad did a good job of instilling the importance of trusting myself and not caring what people think,” said Stephanie. “If no one is going to be happy with anything I do, I’m just going to do what I want.”

Off the Beaten Path

Hunting stirs up all kinds of emotions. For some, it immediately brings to mind the kill, the moment a life is taken. But there’s more to hunting than meets the eye, and it’s far from the macho sport many imagine it to be. With the right mindset, hunting becomes a deeply zen experience—one less about taking a life and more about presence. 

“While hiking or trail running, I often feel like I’m just passing through, but hunting allows me to engage with my surroundings on a deeper level,” said Stephanie. “I’m fully attentive—looking, listening, and even smelling the environment. It’s an immersive experience I never anticipated.”

Every hunt begins early in the morning, before sunrise, with Stephanie sitting in silent meditation as the forest wakes up around her. 

“There’s something very special about being there at first light, hearing the birds start to chirp, watching the squirrels stir,” said Stephanie. “You’re looking at trees for signs, evidence of elk rubbing their antlers, tracks, flattened grass, fur, fresh scat—anything.”

As an outdoor enthusiast, Stephanie often found herself on pre-established trails. But with hunting, she turns left when everyone else goes right, stepping off the beaten path in search of an elusive, ever-moving destination with no guarantee of success. 

“I’ve always loved exploring and finding new places,” said Stephanie. “I’ll check out the map and wonder what’s near a little pond that isn’t even named. My husband and I often go out and bushwhack our way there just to see what’s around.”

“Hunting is often said to be about 90% walking around with a gun or bow, and honestly, it’s probably more like 95%,” adds Stephanie. “But for me, that time in the field has helped me slow down and appreciate the moment.”

Source Your Food Responsibly

Reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan inspired Stephanie to reexamine her relationship with food. 

“I became a vegetarian for about two and half years because I didn’t feel right eating meat unless I was directly involved in the process,” said Stephanie.

As a human being, field dressing an animal, a practice in which the hunter carefully removes the internal organs and prepares the carcass for transport, can be enlightening. 

This is where meat comes from. A life was taken, the moment is a blessing, and we need to do our best to treat the animal with respect and field dress in a manner where nothing goes to waste. 

Every part of the elk is honored—not only the popular backstrap, tenderloins, and shoulders, but also the cheeks, the tongue, and the heart. Even the hide is skillfully removed, tanned, and put to good use. What remains is returned to nature, where birds, bears, wolves, and other animals can benefit. 

“Some might wonder how I could shoot such a creature, but for me, it’s about recognizing that these animals are living fulfilling lives,” said Stephanie. “As someone who eats meat, I appreciate the importance of sourcing it ethically. I’d rather harvest an elk that has roamed free than consume animals raised solely for food.”

And hey, at the end of the day, you don’t have to pull the trigger. You don’t have to release that arrow. You’ll never truly know until you’re standing there, within range, in the presence of destiny, where whatever path you choose is the right one for you. 

Transform Your Fear Into Confidence

“Before I got into hunting, I was terrified of shooting a shotgun and thought it wasn’t for me,” Stephanie admits. “I didn’t have any interest in it and knew very little.”

But with patience from her husband and guidance from an instructor at a clay shooting range, she gradually overcame her fears. From there, Stephanie tried hunting rifles, and eventually, a bow. 

“I used a shooting pad to manage the recoil, which was my biggest fear, but then they gave me a 20-gauge shotgun, which kicks less than a 12-guage, and walked me through everything,” said Stephanie. “Once I got the hang of it, I was hitting targets on my first day, and the fear just melted away.”

Stephanie’s advice to newcomers to the sport is to be fearless, connect with the hunting community on social media, and find mentors you trust.

“I’ve found that the people I reached out to have been fantastic mentors who are genuinely excited to see new hunters like me—a woman, a minority, and younger,” said Stephanie. “Hunting is male-dominated, but there are also supportive communities of women who hunt together and mentor each other.”

What’s Stephanie Up To Now?

Elk hunting is great, but you know what’s even better? Having a loyal, fluffy companion by your side throughout the process. Stephanie’s love of dogs has now taken her into the world of upland bird hunting.

“I had a senior dog who was part English Setter that we took scouting, and she loved it,” said Stephanie. “She had a very strong hunting and prey drive, and it was fun to see that side of her.”

“After she passed, my husband and I thought, ‘Maybe we should get an English Setter and explore that side of hunting?’” adds Stephanie. “The challenge here is training your dog to know when to set the bird and when to flush it—that’s when the bird takes off and you take your shot.” 

So when she’s not crushing it in the legal world, you can find Stephanie in the wild fields of Colorado, side by side with her husband, mesmerized by the sunset as their new puppy races joyfully through the tall grass. Crickets sing, owls hoot nearby, the leaves rustle overhead, and Stephanie sits still—calm, silent, reveling in the beauty of the moment.  
Connect with Stephanie with any questions at stephanie.thien@gmail.com, and follow her outdoor adventures on Instagram @colobreeze.