By Kirstie Pike
It’s a chick thing.
Honestly, it is. I have been asked many times about what opportunities there are out there to network with other women who love to hunt and/or shoot. As I prattle off a well-rehearsed list of great networking options, I am met with one of two reactions. 1) Women who take notes or 2) Men who look confused. For a time, I couldn’t quite figure out the reactions. Marsha (my often talked about alter ego) takes the stance of paranoia and convinces me that perhaps I am speaking in tongues and that men couldn’t quite make sense of my word salad. Yet, how did women understand my apparently strange and unusual dialect? I know, I know…women have been known to completely communicate with each other through seemingly telepathic channels. Whereas men have apparently lost use of those channels through evolution…something like an appendix- still there, not functioning but can indeed kill you.
My curiosity was peaked. Why is the idea of building a women’s network (which I have long referred to as the ‘sisterhood’) so important to women? OK…so beyond the typical social patterns of women, which interestingly encourage us to all require the ladies room at one time, what draws us to the ‘sisterhood’? Sure, we are herd animals. I am certain that the hardcore feminists out there will find some level of outrage to this, but I believe it to be true. The majority of women simply find comfort in groups. We are like moths to flame when we find other women who share similar lifestyles, interests and stories. Holy cow, I cannot tell you how fun it is to find another woman who finds joy in commencing target practice with stale Peeps, can swear like a truck driver if prompted and thinks the movie Step Brothers is cinematic genius. If I didn’t already have a sister, (Which I do…and I must confess…we have been kicked out of Walmart before) I would be compelled to call my mom to see if we could adopt her. Women just enjoy being part of the proverbial herd…or gaggle. You choose.
It wasn’t until a recent trade show, however, that I truly realized how important this is to women who love to hunt or shoot. I was approached by a woman who introduced herself and we immediately began to talk about hunting. She mentioned that she was recently divorced and no longer had any friends or family with whom she could go hunting. She was looking to find sources of networking and hunting opportunities. Gasp. That was it! The sisterhood! It isn’t just a matter of simply finding other like-minded women, it is a matter of actually connecting with other like-minded women. Eureka. Call it an epiphany…call it the obvious staring me right in the face. Either way- I get it!
That said, there are many amazing resources and groups out there for women who love to hunt or shoot! Here are our favorites!
- The Women’s Outdoor News-www.womensoutdoornews.com
- Facebook- there are many groups to join that are hunting/shooting related.
- Twitter- Again, this is a great way to connect with companies and organizations.
- Women Hunters- www.womenhunters.com
- NRA- Women on Target Hunts – www.nrahq.org/women/hunting/.
- NRA- Women’s Wilderness Escape – www.nrahq.org/women/wilderness_escape.asp
- Check for women’s groups with your favorite conservation organizations- Mule Deer Foundation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation and Safari Club all have great opportunities for women!
- Becoming an Outdoor Woman - check for listings in your state!
- Prois Hunting Trips- www.proishuntingtrips.com- for women-only hunts and female friendly outfitters endorsed by Outdoor Connection.
- Also, check with your local Sportsman’s Warehouse to find out about their Ladies Night Out Events!
