Women’s Wilderness Escape

When Doris Wells first entered the gates of the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico, she could only say one thing: “Oh my goodness, what a beautiful place this is!”

The Wichita, Kansas, native was entering a day of firsts. It was the first time that she had ever been to the NRA Whittington Center, which is one of the finest shooting facilities in the nation.

She was also one of the first people to experience the NRA Women’s Wilderness Escape. Sponsored by the NRA Women’s Programs Department, Doris was about to partake in a nine-day getaway where she would enjoy a variety of shooting sports, hunting, and outdoor related activities.

“There was so much to do,” Doris said. “From 6 in the morning till about 10 at night, activities were going on.”

Doris says that she tries to portray herself as a “living institution of what the NRA is all about.” Any chance Doris, an NRA Endowment Life member, gets, she attempts to introduce other women into hunting, the NRA and their 2nd Amendment rights.

So when she first discovered about the Women’s Wilderness Escape, she knew it was a good avenue for women to explore the benefits of shooting. All of the firearms and ammunition was provided, and experience was not needed. The women learned how to shoot rifle silhouette, scoped/tactical carbine, long-range high power rifle, conventional and tactical pistol, history firearms, shotgun (trap or skeet), and archery.

And, it wasn't just about shooting. Outdoor activities like camping, survival training, game calling, game habitat and tracking, hunter education, and western cowgirl history were enjoyed by the 50 women who attended.

“It was absolutely wonderful!” Doris said. “I did all of the shooting events, but archery stood out, because I had never done that before. I also enjoyed the turkey hunter clinic. Then there was shooting the black powder gun. I had never done that before. It was so intense to shoot that and I would do it again in a minute."

A Women’s Wilderness Escape is already being planned for 2009. Check back to the Women’s Programs page in the future for more details.