Like most hunters, my feelings about that first buck will be hard to forget. The motions I ran fit a typical scenario that most people experience in their hunts. Yet, unlike most hunters, I am a woman.
I grew up the youngest of five girls and I had no brothers. We lived in a small rural town named Orrum, N.C., surrounded by woods and fields. Being in this country setting, it left all of us to use our imagination to entertain ourselves. From forts, to cowboys and Indians, nature was our playground. Being the last child, I was my father's chance for a little boy, so he named me Michael after himself. Off I went into the fields in his footsteps, decked out in faded jeans and boots. Though he never hunted, he knew so much about the woods that it initially sparked my interest in the outdoors. After that it was hard for my mother to keep me inside. I ran barefoot and carefree, chasing critters and exploring the woods. At the age of 14, I traveled with 
my mom, dad, and older sister to Milan, Missouri to visit my other sister and her new husband. My brother in law decided to introduce me to hunting. There I was, knee deep in snow, carrying the pheasants as he harvested them. Then and there I realized that I had been missing out on this great pastime. When we returned home to North Carolina, my mom realizing how much I enjoyed the hunting trip, decided to send me to South Carolina to hunt with my with her brothers and nephews. From then on, every chance I had, I would tag along with uncles and cousins who could teach me the ropes. Eyes would widen as I stepped onto the hunting club, fully armed with ponytail and rifle. Yet as the men started warming up to me they came to see me as an equal, in search of the same thing, the joy of hunting.
Today I am a graduating senior in fisheries and wildlife science at North Carolina State University. Though I do not get to hunt as much as I would like, due to school and my job, I know that once I complete my education, my schedule will allow it. Hopefully with the educational skills I have received and my background in hunting, I will be able to contribute to the pastime I hold so dear.
There are many reasons women hunt, whether it be family, husbands, or just the liberating independence of being in the woods. For me it is a chance to be surrounded by nature with the people I hold so close to my heart. Though harvesting an animal tops my list of priorities, it will always follow the joy of taking in the beauty of the earth around me. Being able to step into grove of hardwoods and breathe in the scents of the earth is so invigorating. I can relax and step away from everyday life. Combine all of these qualities and add in spending quality time with your loved ones, you get a tradition that could be etched in stone.
A look at women across the country
Though the number of female hunters dropped slightly, from 14.1% in 1995 to 13.0% in 2000 according to the National Sporting Goods Association, many women still choose to spend their time in the woods. The reasons behind this decision are quite diverse. Judy Derrickson of Millerstown, Pennsylvania states that being able to be alone in the woods surrounded by nature's beauty and the enjoyment of a successful hunt is key. Another lady hunter, Lisa Price of Oquossoc, Maine replies that the continuous growth of friends plays a major role in her decision to hunt. Marti Davis of Willard, Missouri and Tina Knapp of Stow, Ohio state that even if they do not harvest an animal, being able to sit in the woods and enjoy nature gives them a rush. Yet, one constant goal shared by these women is to be treated equally, and to be portrayed as the skilled and competent hunters that they are. Reaching this objective will take constant effort, but the end result, an understanding of the new generation of hunters, will be well worth it.
A major factor that keeps popping up in conversation, time and time again, is the importance of family ties with this sport. No longer do we associate hunting just as a father/son sport, we are now seeing father/daughter and mother/daughter duos as well. Not to mention all other types of family members involved, from sisters and brothers to aunts and uncles. My family considers hunting to be a long-standing tradition, and all the youngsters are introduced to hunting at an early age. This allows for great bonding time between the parent and child, without yelling over a video game or speaking between commercials. Brenda Valentine, also known as the First Lady of Hunting and the national spokeswoman for the NWTF Women in the Outdoors program, spoke on her hunting experiences as a child, "I remember before I could walk, my dad would put me in his coat and take me coon hunting. Everyone I knew hunted, our lives revolved around it." Valentine's childhood, like that of many women and men of the outdoors, centered around hunting. This enabled them to endure. Today, though things have changed, the family hunting traditions still run deep. We may not have to hunt to survive, but being able to pass this wonderful pastime on to our children, remains a top priority in many families. I, for one, plan to take my children hunting, whether they are boys or girls, to ensure that this activity continues in their families, as well.
Getting into Woods
Nowadays, there are programs to teach women the outdoor skills they need to become successful hunters or acquire knowledge of the natural world around them. One of these programs, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, happens in forty-four states and nine provinces. This program teaches everything from archery and shooting sports to camping and canoeing. It gives women the confidence and self-esteem they need to head out into the woods to either hunt or use their outdoor skills. The programs begin on a Friday and ends on a Sunday.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission presents the North Carolina chapter. For more information, contact BB Gillen at (919) 733-7123, or to find a Becoming an Outdoors Woman program nearest you, check out the Website http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/bow/index.htm or call 1-877-BOWOMAN.
Women on Target, sponsored by the NRA, provides outdoor opportunities for lady hunters and a chance to polish their shooting skills. This program not only offers support for other women and couple shooting events, but also established the first ladies-only hunts. For more information on this organization, search the Website, http://www.nra.org/, or call (800) 861-1166.
Another program, Women in the Outdoors, sponsored by the NWTF, provides hands on educational outdoor opportunities for women. Local chapters across the nation are providing this opportunity, with a chance to preserve both wildlife and the turkey hunting tradition. For more on this program, or to join the NWTF, check out their website, http://www.nwtf.org/index.cfm or call 1-800-THE-NWTF.
These organizations and many others are providing outlets for women to become more confident in the outdoors. This is critical to insure that women will have opportunities to not only hunt but to enjoy and preserve nature for generations to come. By having this knowledge, women can provide information to their families and ensure that hunting will be a long-lived tradition for years to come.
What have I learned throughout the years as a woman hunter? Confidence, love of nature, love of family and friends, patience, understanding, and most importantly pride in knowing that I along with countless other women, will have a hand at preserving this great American past time.
Acknowledgements
Thanks to,
Sue Burch and all of the ladies at www.womenhunters.com for their help.
Brenda Valentine, for the wonderful information.
B.B. Gillen, for the informative interview
Dr. Peter Bromley, for the support and guidance.
