Women's Outdoors

ShootingStarr: Britney Starr discusses the portrayal of guns in movies, and what not to do when it comes to the fundamentals of gun handling and safety.

ShootingStarr is sponsored by Galco Gunleather

A typical Saturday night at my house often consists of me yelling, “Finger OFF the trigger!” multiple times. No, I’m not yelling at anyone in my house; I’m yelling at my TV.

Scenes of poor gun-handling skills (especially from women) in the movies or on your favorite TV series seem to be ever rampant, and it hurts my safety-conscious heart. This is why we can’t have nice things, People. Granted, the portrayal of guns in movies has progressed quite a bit from “back in the day,” but there is still a huge disconnect between gun-handling fundamentals and what’s actually portrayed to the masses.

I’ve enlisted the help of my friend, Suzi Huntington, to decipher exactly why these crimes against gun-handling fundamentals won’t wo

A Girl & A Gun Women’s Shooting League is a ladies-only organization established by women shooters for women shooters for the pistol, rifle and shotgun sports. Founded in February of 2011 in Austin, Texas, A Girl & A Gun today has more than 2,100 members in 67 chapters across 24 states, making it the fastest growing women’s shooting organization.

“Smith & Wesson has always been committed to promoting the shooting sports, especially to women. We’re very proud to announce that A Girl & A Gun is once again partnering with Smith & Wesson to bring our members a f

DANVILLE, Ala.  (Feb. 26, 2014) – Hunter Safety System continues to set the standard in fashionable safety harnesses for today’s lady hunters. The new lady’s Contour has been designed to look more like a fashionable garment than a harness, yet it meets and/or exceeds all safety standards set by the Treestand Manufacturers Association.

With four magnetic closure pockets, the Contour provides plenty of space for items to be stored securely, yet easily accessed when needed during the hunt. Two of the four pockets are hand-warming pockets that are lined with soft fle

In this 2-part series, Sara Ahrens’ Offbeat takes a look at gun store service.

When I’m ready to purchase a firearm, I make it a point to spend my money only at a business that meet my expectations of safety and service. If a gun store passes my initial expectations of safety, I next evaluate its service. I believe that many firearm sales are lost because of poor service to women. I’ve left stores empty-handed because of poor customer service. I blame poor service on ignorance, not bias. Whatever the source of the problem, the results are the same — women feel like unimportant, unintelligent and unwanted customers.

I’m amazed by poor customer service, because businesses have to make money to exist. Based on my experiences, gun stores never received that memo. I wonder if they realize that women are more likely to spend money if they feel comfortable. Comfort is derived from many sources, each of which are important and should not be overlooked or underestimated. Here are 4 tips to improve service to female customers.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Team Smith & Wesson’s Randi Rogers has extended her Indoor Nationals win streak another year picking up her sixth consecutive High Lady title at the Smith & Wesson IDPA Indoor National Championship.

Competing as a Master in the Stock Service Pistol division, the sales and marketing manager from holster maker Comp-Tac Victory Gear finished fourth Master and fifth in the division to claim the High Lady award with her final time of 219.85 with 121 points down.

“Winning the High Lady title is never easy when Randi Rogers is competing against you. She is an incredible shooter and with a six year win streak at the Indoor Nationals, meaning she’s all but unbeatable at the moment,” said Joyce Wilson, executive director of IDPA.

As part of its continued focus on women shooters, Smith & Wesson again this year recognized not just the top female shooter but the top three, and honored Colleen Vaccaro as the second High Lady finishing in ESP as a Expert with 258.24 (100) and Joanna Lenczewska as third High Lad

With a design focus on hunting, the Endurance 30 IR line of scopes delivers a form and function as rugged and dependable as the American hunter.

The redesigned Endurance 30 IR family provides the shooter a feature-rich scope, while still remaining affordable.  The change isn’t just cosmetic for the Endurance family.  New low-profile turrets make adjustments easy and repeatable.  The standard click-step illumination control has been replaced by a stepless rheostat control that allows for virtually infinite adjustment, ensuring your reticle is visible in almost any light condition.

The Endurance 30 IR scopes have been designed with big game hunting in mind, and the reticle choices bear that out.  Classic hunting options such as the L4a Dot, and 30/30 IR highlight the line, with a new option also available.  The LR (long range) Dot uses the common ballistic profiles of rounds such as the .30/06, 7mm magnum, and the .300 magnum, to create a composite reticle design that closely replicates multiple common hunting rounds in the .30 caliber family.  For example, when paired with standard

Come on Shoot a Pistol, Shoot a Rifle, Shoot a Bow, SHOOT LIKE A GIRL at the Michigan Field & Stream Deer and Turkey Expo March 7th-9th in Dimondale Michigan. Take a Test Flight, Take a Test Shot in the state of the art Shoot Like A Girl Trailer sponsored by Shoot Like A Girl’s manufacturer partners, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ammo2Go, Bear Archery, BowTech, Charter Arms, Colt,  Danner, Elite, GLOCK, Inc, Hoyt, Hunter Safety Systems, Lumenok, Neet Archery Products, Mathews Inc, Mossy Oak, PSE, Scent Blocker, Smith and Wesson, Taurus, ThermaCell, and Trijicon. 

This year’s expo will be at The Summit Sports and Ice Complex 9410 Davis Hwy. Dimondale, MI 48821.

For more information go to: http://www.deerinfo.com/michigan<

Dear Writing Huntress,

I’m looking for hunting-related books to read, to get me through the rest of the winter, because it’s not hunting season and I miss it terribly. Are there any good reads that compel you to be a better huntress? Any that help you get through the off-season?

Sincerely,
Bookworm in Boise

Ask Writing Huntress is sponsored by Burris Optics

Dear Bookworm,

I, much like you, am a bibliophile by nature. As a rule, when I need to get away, feel more connected to hunting or simply want to relax, a book is the first thing I seek. My little personal library is growing. Because I live in the middle of nowhere, going to the library can be a monumental task. That being said, I have a few books about hunting that I tend to read when I am between hunting seasons, simply because they take

Photo courtesy of WI Women Fish

Date/Time
Fri, Mar 7, 2014 – Sun, Mar 9, 2014

Have you ever seen a two pound perch? I have. That is a big perch. They are about 14 inches long or longer. There is a place we can go to catch one of these monsters. Lake Gogebic located in the beautiful  Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  During late ice, these behemoth creatures roam around looking for a place to deposit a belly full of eggs when the time is right.We plan on getting there on Friday March 7th. Some of you may want to come early and I may be one of them. There is no fee for this event except for the lodging. In addition to the monster perch, we can also fish for Walleye,  nice crappie, eater size perch, northern pike and whatever else finds our bait. I also found out that last summer the gills were huge here.

The t

Jenni Clark is 19, shoots a Beretta in competitions and has a plan for her life. Currently, this Texas teen attends college and studies business administration with a concentration in marketing and a minor in management. “I’ll graduate in May of 2016 and I would love to head back home to be near my family, but if the opportunity presents itself to start my career elsewhere, I wouldn’t miss it,” said Jenni.

The WON: How long have you been shooting and what do you shoot competitively?

Jenni: I have been shooting competitively for 8 years. I usually compete in Sporting Clays and Federation Internationale de Tir Aux Sportives de Chasse (FITASC), but have been competitive in International Trap as well. I also participate in collegiate level competitions, which include American Skeet and Trap, International Skeet & Trap and Sporting Clays.

The WON: What Beretta gun do you shoot in competition?

Jenni:

CONCORD, NC Feb. 20, 2014— The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will offer a free hunter education course for women on March 28-29 at Bass Pro Shops in Concord, Cabarrus County.

The two-day course will provide an atmosphere conducive to learning for women of all ages, with no experience required. This specialized course will be held at Bass Pro Shops, located at 8181 Concord Mills Boulevard, through the Wildlife Commission’s Hunter Education Program and Home From The Hunt™ campaign.

Photo courtesy of N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission

The course is offered on a first-come, first-served basis with limited space available and pre-registration required. The first session will be

You’ll want to get on this one.

Girls with Guns has combined forces with Galco Gunleather to offer a WONderful giveaway.

Galco Gunleather is excited to introduce the iDefense™, a holster that carries not only a defensive handgun, but also accommodates an iPad tablet (1st through 4th generation)! Made of full grain leather, the iDefense safely secures a medium or large defensive handgun and spare ammo with an elasticized nylon holster concealed within a lockable zipped compartment. The iPad is held in place outside the gun compartment on a sturdy backing plate that’s fully adjustable for tablet angle.

The iDefense also features an internal pocket for storage of documents or small items. A removable wrist lanyard is also provided. The iDefense fits iPads from the first through fourth generations.

The iDefense measures 10” long, 8” wide, and 2 ½” deep.Retail value is $169.95 and available in either black or brown leather. Retail value $169.95. Winner gets his/her choice of black or brown leather.

Women who want to learn how to hunt turkeys can get the basics by signing up for the New Hampshire Becoming an Outdoors-Woman “Introduction to Turkey Hunting Workshop.” Sharpen up your skills for the spring gobbler season!

The one-day workshop will be held on March 22, 2014, at the New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, N.H. Participants will learn about wild turkey habitat and behavior, shotgun handling tips, scouting, calling, safety and ethics, plus how to clean and care for your turkey.

Photo courtesy of Jason Baird

The cost of the session is $55, which includes lunch. This is an introductory class. No hunting license is required, and there will be no live firing.

To see a 3-minute video of BOW volunteer Shirley Johnson on a spring turkey hunting adventure, click here. A mail-in application and brochure ar

Marti Davis lists 7 useful things that you should always have on-hand and keep in your hunting vehicle.

While I do most of my hunting near my home, I do enjoy traveling on hunting excursions. Here are my top 7 things you must have in your hunting vehicle, no matter if you are staying close to where you live, or traveling a long distance.

Marti Davis Afield is sponsored by HERCAMOSHOP.com

Portable GPS unit

A GPS really comes in handy if you are traveling in unfamiliar territory. I find it useful around home, too. Sometimes I use mine if I am traveling to not-so-familiar back roads, or if I need to find new shortcuts between hunting properties.

Garmin nuvi 52LM GPS – Retail $149.99

Portable jump pack/air compressor

This portable jump pack has a built-in automatic c

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is marking the 20th anniversary of its Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program this year.

Photo courtesy of Minnesota BOW

The DNR has just released its 2014 catalog of events for the program, which offers a wide range of hands-on learning opportunities for women and their families who want to learn how to hunt, fish or develop other outdoor skills.

BOW program coordinator Linda Bylander says the skill-building classes focus on learning by doing in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.

The more than 100 program offerings this year include a sturgeon fishing trip, grouse and pheasant hunts, kayaking and canoeing, to mention a few examples. The classes are designed for women age 14 and older. They range from beginner to advanced levels.

The catalog is available at: www.mndnr.gov/bow

The post

PRATT ­– If you’ve ever wondered what baits catch what fish, how to start a fire with your bare hands, or even have thought about coasting a creek in a canoe, you should sign up for the 2014 Spring Becoming An Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop this May. Held at Rock Springs 4-H Center May 16-18,the workshop will offer participants courses on everything from wood-carving and GPS basics, to rifle marksmanship and fly fishing.

Offered through the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, BOW is a non-profit, non-membership program designed for teaching women outdoor skills. The workshop will offer over 25 different classes thanks to a core of volunteer instructors, including KDWPT employees, law enforcement officials, and even past participants, all of whom are considered to be experts in their field.

Photo courtesy of BOW Kansas

Cost for the three-day workshop is $250, which includes lodging, meals and class supplies. Three $100 scholarships are available to first-time particip

Vera Koo describes her outlook on the future of women in shooting sports based on her time spent at SHOT Show 2014

Photo courtesy of Yasunari Akita

Everyone has something that could make our world more extraordinary. People spend their entire lives perfecting that skill; ask any athlete, any diplomatic leader, Nobel Prize recipient or Oscar winner. As much as we would like to believe that we could compete on their stages (the armchair quarterback does not just play football,) do not presume that we could achieve their levels of success. Whether you dream of competing on their stages, or your own, I firmly believe in discovering these experts, wherever they may exist.

In between Super Bowl Sunday and the Winter Olympics, some of the world’s greatest marksmen, shooters and hunters gather in Las Vegas, Nev. for the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show). SHOT Show invites more than 67,000 professio

Mia & the Little Gal: Mia shares tried-and-true tips for caring for your taxidermy.

Mia & the Little Gal is sponsored by Girls With Guns Clothing

Throughout the years, LG and I have had many successful hunts. We work hard to fill our tags and fulfill our dreams of harvesting animals. The memories we have of hunting in the mountains, out of tree stands and on horseback are priceless. After working so hard to achieve a goal, we want to preserve the experience. That’s when we have to decide if the animal will be mounted by a taxidermist.

Quality taxidermy is an art, and can be quite expensive. It is, indeed, an investment to have memories from the field put on the wall. Once you’ve decided to dish out the dough for a mount, you’ll need to take care of it. Below are tips for caring for taxidermy.

Caring for furry wildlife mounts

LG and I paid a visit to our taxidermist and asked him a few questions about caring for

We have six more weeks of frigid winter misery to endure, according to the groundhog, but there is one certainty to come from the weeks ahead: Bucks will be shedding their antlers. Once a shed is on the ground, it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing. Technically, all that’s really required for shed-hunting success is to go outside and look.

With that in mind, Whitetail Properties and Realtree are teaming up for the first-annual #ShedRally, the world’s largest Shed Hunt, on March 1. The premise is simple. Head to the field to do some shed hunting with your family and friends the first day of next month (it’s a Saturday), and take plenty of pictures along the way. Upload the best photos from your day to your favorite social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram – with the hashtag #ShedRally.

Photo courtesy of Realtree

HOUSTON, Texas – Comp-Tac Victory Gear, a leading manufacturer of Kydex holsters and leather Kydex hybrid holsters, has released a Heavy Rated version of its popular Trojan Horse Long Gun Case.

The Heavy Rated Trojan Horse Long Gun Case is an updated version of the Trojan Horse Long Gun Case that Comp-Tac originally released in 2012. Based on customer feedback, Comp-Tac created the Heavy Rated case with handles for easier carry, and heavier duty stitching to allow the case to carry and transport up to 35 lbs of firearms and related gear.

“Comp-Tac released the Trojan Horse Long Gun Case with the goal of giving our customers an unobtrusive option to transport their long guns. Customers enjoyed the case so much they asked Comp-tac for a heavier rated option. The Heavy Rated Trojan Horse case will stand up to more gear and greater wear and tear,” explained Sales and Marketing Manager