Female Hunter Feature: Serena Juchnowski

Shooting has taught me an incredible amount about myself and others. It’s taught me patience, confidence, and discipline and shaped me as a person. Competing has introduced me to a family of people I cannot imagine my life without — providing me with colleagues, friends, and confidantes from across the country.

I always spent time outdoors with my family but didn’t start really shooting until I was in 8th grade. I did shoot BB guns around age 7, but they were difficult to pump and it was a twice-a-year occurrence. My most vivid outdoor childhood memories are the excitement following the phone call that my dad had harvested a deer. I can remember running around the house and rushing outside when he came home. My friends at school were less enthusiastic.

Spending time in nature, especially when hunting, gives me an opportunity to reflect and appreciate the world. It’s a very spiritual place for me. Shooting provides me an opportunity to challenge myself while meeting like-minded people.

Though cliché, I’m not sure I can pick one. There have been countless moments that have shaped my life and transformed me from a casual observer to a real hunter and from a bookworm into a competitive shooter and outdoor writer. Perhaps the most clearly defined moment is my first-day deer hunting in 2015. I told my dad I wanted to go out for youth deer gun season three days before it opened. He didn’t have anywhere to take me and scrambled to make plans. Luckily one of his co-workers let us use his property. We didn’t see a deer all day until sunset. I harvested my first deer, a beautiful 9-point buck right before sunset. Prior to that moment, I wasn’t sure that I could really shoot a deer. I questioned my mindset and the whole experience. At that moment I became a hunter and I truly believe that deer was meant for me to ignite a lifelong passion.

My dream hunting trip would be a bear hunt. My mom has always loved bears and even has a fake stuffed one in our house. I promised her when I started hunting that one day, I would shoot a real bear and have it mounted in anyway that she would like.

The outdoors has endless opportunities. If you don’t like one type of hunting, try another. If that isn’t for you – don’t worry. There truly is something for everyone. Spending time outdoors, whether it is just hiking or partaking in a more formal activity has an effect on the soul that nothing else can touch.