Women in Hunting

[Splitear]

Interesting article that was shared with me this morning: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/redefining-tradition-growing-ranks-women-hunt-20011637.php?utm_campaign=CMS Sharing Tools (Premium)&utm_source=share-by-email&utm_medium=email

In our youth shooting sports program I actually have more girls than boys. I need to take stock of how many of my kids are hunting and compare the boys to girls. 

I have had a few of my volunteers go through the DEC "Becoming an Outdoor Woman" program and have since taken up hunting. I know that they are often intimidated by the "boys club" (actual words used in conversation) and that they don't know where to go to be mentored. The couple that I know that have stuck with it have actually be mentored by their sons. 

I plan on taking my girls hunting with me if they want to go.

Just something to ponder as we consider the future of hunting...

[Moho81]

Obviously y'all know my daughter hunts. In her school there are more girls on the rifle team than there are boys and one of my friends who is a teacher in a rural town always asks the kids who is hunting opening day. This year the girls outnumbered the boys. 

[mowin]

There's 3 gals in our group that hunt.  They are better than some of us guys. Put in the time to practice and scout.  Field dress there own kills, and know how to process. 

[sbuff]

My girls wanted nothing to do with hunting and I wasn't about to force it on them . They do how ever love to go fishing ,but even that is fading as they get older and their social lives and sports take over . Almost seems like the younger generations have little interest moving forward , I'm sure growing up in rural communitys instead of a suburban or city may help increase those women's odds 

[G-man]

More women have started hunting  at camp my brother's wife  my own this past year and my niece.  I actually just had this discussion with a friend who's daughter is now talking about hunting this coming year out of the blue..  ( gonna loan my youth 20ga and  single 30 30 to him  for her to try for spring youth turkey and youth deer next year. . He's excited his daughter wants to try it. .

[Wolc123]

Neither of our girls likes hunting, but I’m thankful that they and my wife all love venison.  That makes it cheaper for me to feed them.
 

 They all like fishing and eating fish too, but none of them like getting up early enough in the morning to suit me, so I don’t take them out as often as I should on weekends.  
 

It’s a little bit more of a pain in the butt, getting fish for them to eat because the NY state eating advisories do not recommend that woman of child bearing age or children eat any fish from the St Lawrence River or the Adirondacks.  Those are the two spots that I have the easiest “free”access to, when I’m on vacation and have  more “free” time.  

That forces me to get all of their fish from Lake Erie or the upper Niagara River,  that are accessible in less than 1/2 hour from home (where I have less free time than I do when I’m vacation at those other places).  Oh well, it’s a tough  “job” (keeping kids and wife fed), but somebodies got to  do it.  

[Bucksnbows]

Girls rule!  

[Spirit]

As a huntress I can certainly attest to intimidation getting started. Mentorship for women is crucial. I was lucky that my boyfriend was a seasoned hunter when we met, and he patiently built my confidence over a few years until I took the hunter safety courses in 2015. There were a couple other girls in the classes besides my sister and me, and let me tell you, even though I was older than the boys by about 15 years, I still felt nervous! When the girls outshot all the boys with both guns and bows, though, it certainly quieted them down!

In general, men have been very supportive when I tell them I hunt. I've only taken one deer while hunting with my boyfriend - the rest either with my sister or alone. I pride myself in dressing and processing my own deer. My biggest challenge is simply my size! I'm only 4'10" and just over 100lbs, so most deer outweigh me by quite a bit and getting them out of the woods on my own can be tough.

Hunting for me is a very personal thing and not a competition, and I think the way some are so quick to demean other hunters and what they choose to harvest is a big factor in women hesitating to participate. I don't shoot the biggest bucks and I don't care if other people would pass on the ones I shoot or not. I also don't care if men think I'm "allowed" to kill smaller bucks because I'm a woman. Hunting is about so much more than the size of the deer, or how many someone can take in a season. If it's all about numbers, is it even hunting anymore?

[Rob-c]

11 minutes ago, Spirit said:

As a huntress I can certainly attest to intimidation getting started. Mentorship for women is crucial. I was lucky that my boyfriend was a seasoned hunter when we met, and he patiently built my confidence over a few years until I took the hunter safety courses in 2015. There were a couple other girls in the classes besides my sister and me, and let me tell you, even though I was older than the boys by about 15 years, I still felt nervous! When the girls outshot all the boys with both guns and bows, though, it certainly quieted them down!

In general, men have been very supportive when I tell them I hunt. I've only taken one deer while hunting with my boyfriend - the rest either with my sister or alone. I pride myself in dressing and processing my own deer. My biggest challenge is simply my size! I'm only 4'10" and just over 100lbs, so most deer outweigh me by quite a bit and getting them out of the woods on my own can be tough.

Hunting for me is a very personal thing and not a competition, and I think the way some are so quick to demean other hunters and what they choose to harvest is a big factor in women hesitating to participate. I don't shoot the biggest bucks and I don't care if other people would pass on the ones I shoot or not. I also don't care if men think I'm "allowed" to kill smaller bucks because I'm a woman. Hunting is about so much more than the size of the deer, or how many someone can take in a season. If it's all about numbers, is it even hunting anymore?

When my wife did her hunter  safety course she also out shot all the men . I truly believe woman are inherently  a better shot than  men . Sadly my wife stopped hunting this last year and i lost my hunting  buddy. She did love the times we went together though , as did i . Kudos to you and your boyfriend for spending time together in the woods .  

[Splitear]

About half of my 4-H Shooting Sports program (probably more than half) are girls. Not only are the girls better shots in most cases, they tend to be better instructors and take instruction much better

[NYBowhunter]

49 minutes ago, Spirit said:

As a huntress I can certainly attest to intimidation getting started. Mentorship for women is crucial. I was lucky that my boyfriend was a seasoned hunter when we met, and he patiently built my confidence over a few years until I took the hunter safety courses in 2015. There were a couple other girls in the classes besides my sister and me, and let me tell you, even though I was older than the boys by about 15 years, I still felt nervous! When the girls outshot all the boys with both guns and bows, though, it certainly quieted them down!

In general, men have been very supportive when I tell them I hunt. I've only taken one deer while hunting with my boyfriend - the rest either with my sister or alone. I pride myself in dressing and processing my own deer. My biggest challenge is simply my size! I'm only 4'10" and just over 100lbs, so most deer outweigh me by quite a bit and getting them out of the woods on my own can be tough.

Hunting for me is a very personal thing and not a competition, and I think the way some are so quick to demean other hunters and what they choose to harvest is a big factor in women hesitating to participate. I don't shoot the biggest bucks and I don't care if other people would pass on the ones I shoot or not. I also don't care if men think I'm "allowed" to kill smaller bucks because I'm a woman. Hunting is about so much more than the size of the deer, or how many someone can take in a season. If it's all about numbers, is it even hunting anymore?

Perfectly said!!! 

[Rusty]

32 minutes ago, Splitear said:

Not only are the girls better shots in most cases.  

Over the years our daughter has killed a lot of deer on a management hunt that I run.  She is the only hunter to never lose a deer.  In fact she has never had a deer make it 50 yards before dropping.  

[Bond,James Bond]

   Below is Member Cynthia  here on nywoodsandwaters and her Husband.

   I joined them this year for a October 1st Pheasant Hunt.  COOPER is getting much better afield.

   And Cynthia  is up to 5 Gobblers in 5 Springs.  Pretty sure,I taught her a few Good Points.

   She has killed a good 35 Deer as well. She sits in front of Trees or Tucked under Foliage.

[Wolc123]

22 minutes ago, Bond,James Bond said:

   Below is Member Cynthia  here on nywoodsandwaters and her Husband.

   I joined them this year for a October 1st Pheasant Hunt.  COOPER is getting much better afield.

   And Cynthia  is up to 5 Gobblers in 5 Springs.  Pretty sure,I taught her a few Good Points.

   She has killed a good 35 Deer as well. She sits in front of Trees or Tucked under Foliage.

Glad you’re back BJB.  Place just wasn’t the same without you.  Don’t let the bastards get you down. 

[Versatile Hunter]

34 minutes ago, Bond,James Bond said:

   Below is Member Cynthia  here on nywoodsandwaters and her Husband.

   I joined them this year for a October 1st Pheasant Hunt.  COOPER is getting much better afield.

   And Cynthia  is up to 5 Gobblers in 5 Springs.  Pretty sure,I taught her a few Good Points.

   She has killed a good 35 Deer as well. She sits in front of Trees or Tucked under Foliage.

Welcome back