Women in Hunting: Success Starts With Shared Information

Women in the hunting industry are empowering others with educational and informational programs, events and seminars. These events are inspired by the desire to welcome more outdoorswomen to our community.

Since I was taught to safely use firearms and hunt ethically, I have been passing those qualities on to as many others as possible by joining events, creating my own, and offering opportunities to give back. This has occurred for me not only in the field, but by speaking about it across the nation through numerous sportsman trade shows and wildlife federation dinners. These occasions provide a  perfect chance to share your perspective about how to involve others and gain from the success you experience from these programs. Sharing through seminars is a great way to involve more people who don’t normally follow certain channels of media.

Teaching conservation and sustainability is key to our hunting world. Learning to hunt and the reasons why we do so is what keeps our circle of education going and growing.

Waking up to a hunting camp filled with anticipation and the smiles of women taking the time to photograph sunrises, small critters and birds, and chatting about what the day’s expectations will be provides a type of excitement that is hard to explain. There’s a starting moment of pride that grows throughout the day’s events and concludes with hearing about adventures filled with successful harvests. Then there are conversations about continuing the excursions outside the event to get more females involved. That is what it is all about: The female hunting community rolling forward and keeping it going to pass along the importance of heritage to others, including children.

A Place to Bond

The outdoors is a special place to bond with others and make memories while learning about our past and feeding our families. It is a place that is completely unpredictable. So it’s good that there are many programs to learn from to make sure you are safe and that you can survive any outcome. Participating in these learning events, which are mostly hosted by notable women of the outdoors, can prepare you for anything nature might throw at you.

As these types of events continue to grow, more women are finding a spot in the industry and passing their knowledge and experiences to others. This is a ball that started rolling and over the last 10 years, I believe, has increasingly expanded. I myself have watched more than 5,000 women get involved in  hunting or in the shooting sports, or both, in that timeframe.

There was a time when such events were few and far between. Since I started organizing Range Days and Take Me Hunting Programs, more and more women have stepped forward to meet the demand for mentors, and that’s happening across the nation. You can now use Google to look for information on these types of groups. You’ll find numerous social communities that will answer and engage in conversation. There will be groups that are hosting weekend or day practices. Women are also teaching firearms and hunting classes for certification across the globe. Many of these students move on to become guides, outfitters and employees of natural-resource industries.

Giving Back Knowledge

To give back is to take what you know from your own trials and put them forth to help others succeed. That provides a feeling of pride and honor.

When out on a hunt, I feel like my job is complete when the girl has successfully experienced many obstacles, such as walking to the stand in the dark, dealing with feminine issues while in the bush, and otherwise conquering anything nature can throw at you. It also happens while on the hunt when the animals is taken or making her mark count by completing the field dressing, butchering and cooking. That’s where my happiness lies: hearing mentees speak of their experience over and over, anticipating their next feat, and inviting someone else along for the ride.

Traveling abroad and appreciating all the world has to offer while learning about the different ways that others hunt and prepare meals is a great way to keep growing intellectually while enjoying a chance to include others.

Participation in activities outdoors provides you with the opportunity to expand your horizons and learn valuable life lessons that will serve you well throughout the chapters of your life.

As women in the outdoors, we want other women to be able to have fun and enjoy the outdoors with peers. At the same time, we want you to be able to lay a solid foundation of skills and knowledge that you can build on for the rest of your life. The ultimate goal for any skills and learning program is to provide an opportunity for you to get outdoors, learn about your heritage and then carry it forward.

All of us want to help you to succeed. We believe the morals and values you will develop from participating in the outdoors lifestyle will carry forth through all other aspects of your life. It will also help keep hunting heritage alive. If you don’t have anyone to show you, how are you going to learn?

Women will support, empower and lift each other in their authentic ways. Ladies, I urge you to find a mentor and get hunting!