Women On Target inspires women to try hunting

The fact that five women would even want to travel to South Dakota for the first day of pheasant season is a sign that traditional hunting and shooting stereotypes are becoming a thing of the past. That shift in thinking can be attributed in large part to the success of programs aimed at getting more women involved in the shooting sports — programs like NRA's Women On Target®.

Fittingly, those five female pheasant hunters met at a Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinic this past summer at the Hudson Rod, Gun and Archery Club in Hudson, Wis. They caught the shooting bug almost immediately, shot trap together for a few weeks and became fast friends. A trip to South Dakota to try their hands at pheasant hunting seemed like a good idea, so the quintet made arrangements to stay with guide and taxidermist Don Behrns in Bruce, S.D.

"The corn had not yet been harvested, and keeping an eye out for one another was challenging enough, let alone seeing birds," said one of the hunters, Laurie Wotruba. "But great fun was had by all."

The women hunted for three days and brought home 14 birds and many stories and great memories. They all agreed hunting is very different than standing at the 16 yard line and yelling "Pull!" for the clay bird — but shooting pheasants out of the sky is nothing short of a rush!

It may not have been one of the official hunts run by Women On Target®, but for those five women, the camaraderie, thrill and sense of accomplishment were exactly the same. And like women all across the country, they’ve shown that hunting is no longer just for men.

If you’re a woman who wants to give hunting and shooting a try, visit NRA Women’s Programs at www.nrahq.org/women, or call (800) 861-1166.