The Outdoors

By Scott Rall, Outdoors Columnist

What is the fastest growing segment of new hunters being added to the ranks of outdoors people? If you guessed women, you would be right. They still make up a small percentage of the total, but that number is increasing every year. I have developed a close bond with a group of lady hunters who range in experience level from novice to polished. They come from the metro area every year to hunt in Nobles County.

I met them kind of by accident when I came across them in a public lands parking lot when I stopped to see what kind of luck they were having and to see if I could direct them to a few additional spots I thought might hold a bird or two.

Since that meeting, we have become fast friends and they are planning another trip to my area about the third week of the season. There will be about nine gals all hunting public lands and sharing their experience with other female hunters. I offer up my garage and camper for them to stay in while visiting. The thing I find the most amazing about this group is the fact that no matter what their experience level is they show absolutely no ego whatsoever.

Some are great shots and others could not hit the broad side of a barn.  They teach each other and build each other up no matter how frustrated a member of the group might become. It is all smiles regardless of how many birds they kill. Some of these gals are excellent hunters. They can handle a hunting dog as good as any of the guys I know. They clean their birds and make their own way. A self-contained pod of gals with everything they need for a week on the road.

They took my new wife under their wing last season and introduced her to the great world of the outdoors. Joann walked along with them last year just to get the lay of the land and to see how things operated. It was August of this year that Joann attended a ladies’ learn-to-hunt workshop in Webster, South Dakota. Guess who was putting that event together? It was the same gals who hunt with me. These women are responsible for getting more and more ladies into the field each year.

Joann is actually a pretty good shot and this means I will need to add another gun to the collection to have one the right size for her. She will be hunting with this crew in about three weeks.

Unfortunately, many guys, not all, prefer their ladies just stay home when they go afield. Many Harley Davidson riders have very loud exhaust in an attempt to ride solo, which many of them prefer. To each their own, but I for one am looking forward to taking my gal afield this season. She passed her hunters’ safety course a few months back and I have been working with her frequently on polishing those skills.

Ladies teaching ladies how to hunt and how to be safe is the most successful method in my opinion. The message from a husband/male is received differently than the same message delivered by her peers.

It’s getting a little easier for ladies to find the right guns and hunting apparel. For the longest time all the women’s hunting stuff was just the kids version of men’s clothes. There are many different suppliers who offer high quality clothing and hunting related equipment for females today. We got the hunting boots box checked the other day and now are shopping for a few good pair of hunting pants.

How many of you ladies out there would like to try hunting if you had the opportunity? You guys, how many of your wives or girlfriends would like to try hunting it if you made the ask? I am sure the number is higher than any of us might think.

There is nothing I enjoy more than walking into a slight breeze 15 minutes before sunset in grass so tall I can barely see my dogs. I believe there are lots of gals who might love the same thing. Make an effort to take your lady along. Teach a lady to hunt and she can and will teach many more.

The more pheasant hunters we have, the more people who will care about wildlife and their habitats and work to protect and conserve wild places. Lord knows we need a lot more of both women and men conservationists. You can do your part to expand this important base.

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If you have any questions, reach out to me at scottarall@gmail.com.