Ladies, Join the Fun!

When I think back to my hunting roots it all began when I was a little girl. Being raised in the country, I spent the majority of my time outside covered in dirt. Through family traditions I was introduced to hunting and fishing by my father and grandfather. Hunting at an early age taught me patience, the value of controlling a population and respect for nature. In an age of social media and electronics, kids are now drifting away from the outdoors. My mission is to encourage females of all ages to put down their smartphone and get involved. Luckily, hunting can be enjoyed at any age, so it is not too late!

The number of female hunters has significantly increased. Thanks to the popular book series, The Hunger Games and Miss Kansas, Theresa Vail; teens are starting to take interest in hunting, specifically archery. A new hunter may wonder where to start or how to begin hunting. The first step is to attend a Hunter Education course to learn safety, ethics, and responsibility. These classes tend to fill up fast, so apply early. Once a certification is complete, the fun can truly begin.

A simple way to learn about hunting is to spend time with someone who has experience. If a family member or friend is available, reach out to them for guidance. Many experienced hunters would be happy to mentor and guide a new hunter. Search online for a local conservation agent and ask if a mentor program is available. There are several opportunities and programs for females interested in hunting. Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) is a non-profit, educational program that offers workshops for adult women across the nation. Programs like the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, and Ducks Unlimited also offer workshops and clinics specifically for women. Take advantage of workshop opportunities to learn from skilled and experienced hunters and instructors.

If you are new to hunting, chances are you don’t own hunting property. That’s okay. There are other options available. Start by scouting areas of interest with aerial photos on Google Maps or Scoutlook. Speak to a postal worker or bus driver; get insight on where deer and turkey have been sighted locally. One option would be to ask a friend or a neighboring landowner for permission to hunt. A land owner knows their property better than anyone; listen to their advice and instruction. If private land is not an option seek public land. A list of public hunting land can be found on your states Department of Conservation website. Hunting leases are also an option for hunting land if public and private land is not available. Visit http://nationalhuntingleases.com to search for a hunting lease in your area.
Every hunter has a special story on how or why they got started in the outdoors. Whether you started hunting as a child or later in life, get outdoors and have fun! Never let inexperience keep you from trying something new.

Attached is a picture of one of my first fishing memories, at the ripe age of three J