For some, like me, we were fortunate to grow up in a family where the outdoors was just a part of our lives. I grew up with my mom and dad tagging along fishing and hunting long before I was big enough to hold a rod or a gun. The more time I spend mentoring and trying to engage more women in the outdoors, the more resources I have found are accessible, some geared specifically towards women.
If you are a woman and you are interested in getting into hunting, fishing, backpacking, camping, kayaking, paddling, or any other outdoor activities, there are many resources available to help both online and in person. So here’s a list of a few resources that I have been actively sharing with ladies where they can get some more knowledge and build their confidence in the outdoors!
- Becoming an Outdoorswoman or BOW – the BOW program is a national program that offers hands-on workshops for women 18 and up to learn outdoor skills, including hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities. Something that is unique to these programs is that they are offered for varying levels of experience, and I personally have seen a lot of women who participate in this program and then become mentors for the same program. Most states that offer the BOW program do this in conjunction with the fish and wildlife agencies, so you can find these resources on your state’s .gov website!
- Your state's Fish & Wildlife agency, both in person and online – Although they help participate with the BOW program, your state’s fish and wildlife agency also offers additional resources which are almost always low cost or free. Your agency will most likely regularly advertise these on their section of your state's .gov website as well as on their social media. Some things offered in the last 12 months in my state of Massachusetts include virtual seminars on deer and turkey scouting and hunting, an in-person family fishing day open to all skill levels, and the youth pheasant program. These agencies will also post most likely where you can engage in classes like hunter education to then be able to get your license. They also have regional offices with resources, and you can always call and ask questions! This is also where you will find your laws and regulations relevant to you and what you might be targeting if you are planning on hunting, fishing, or trapping.
- All Women’s Outdoors groups – There are quite a few nonprofit organizations that are on a mission to get more women educated in the outdoors, including American Daughters of Conservation, WildHERNess, and Artemis Sportswomen, to name some that I am familiar with. They all aim to offer education to women in the outdoors that is affordable and accessible, as well as to preserve the habitats that we all love so much. The community of these organizations is truly empowering, and it’s a great opportunity for women to both learn AND teach in the same organization.
- YouTube – In this day and age, everyone is recording themselves and posting it online. YouTube is a great resource for many, many things. I have used it to learn how to tie flies, certain knots, sight in my bow, take apart my gun to clean it, and a plethora of other things. But remember, you’re taking someone else’s word, so just do your background research of who you are taking advice from and what you are watching.
- Social Media – Although not the be-all end all and I always tell ladies to do their research, there are tons of other women on the internet who want to help you learn! Most states have a women’s page – some are for hunting or fishing specifically, and some are broader – but I guarantee that you will find ladies who are willing to answer any questions you have or tell you what they have experienced in the past.
- Your local Rod N Gun Club – If you are confident enough to put yourself in a co-ed environment and try to ask for help with hands-on learning, try to find a mentor at your local Rod N Gun Club! Check out their events, and see if they’re offering any classes. Go to meetings and see who might be able to help you! I won’t lie, this process can be extremely intimidating in the moment, especially since a lot of clubs have a lot of male members, but I can also tell you that most of those men WANT to help women learn and want more women in the hunting community. I approached a local club this spring to have a place to teach a women’s turkey class, and the welcome that was received and the help that they provided were phenomenal. I ended up joining, and when I went to the meeting, I was the only woman in the room, and I was welcomed with open arms.
Although these are not the only resources out there, it’s a great start for someone who is trying to start or elevate their outdoor journey. It’s scary and sometimes awkward to go and participate and meet new people, but I guarantee you that once you meet some like-minded women in the same boat, you will wonder why you ever held back. Get out there, girls, and get after it.
