I also grew up in Wyoming. If memory serves correctly I could get a youth license at 12 but had to have an adult with me until I was 14 at which time I could hunt on my own. Pheasants, Ducks, Geese and Prairie Chickens were my favorites.
I think that was the case yes, I believe I got my safety card at 12 or 13? man, that was awhile ago :) my first “goat” when i was 14 with a .243 I got for Christmas. Not sure when I started hunting, it was pretty young, but certainly not 5. Probably 9 or 10ish.. but I had always been with my father.
I do miss the sage chickens... and rabbits.
Hunting here in the south is NOTHING like home :( and worst of all... no place to shoot. In Casper I could go 5 min in any direction to shoot...