February s Woman of the Wild- Jennifer L. Metzker!
When I was a small girl, I remember going to my uncle s property to hunt deer, turkey, dove, quail, etc with my family. I loved being out in the woods, running free, watching the wildlife. My dad would take me to hunting camp, despite the comments from the older members; dad would put me in the woods with my grandfather s Smith & Wesson model 1000 shotgun and say, sit still and good luck! I only ever shot one doe, and we never found her¦I was heart broken.
As the years went by, the family grew apart. I found myself driving my very old Grandfather to hunting camp, just so I could get another chance at another deer. No Luck, I grew older as did the relatives, and there was no one to take me hunting, but you could always find me outdoors either at the horse shows or at the mud hole, which is where I met my husband of 19 years.
Bryan has been a hunter all his life and we kicked it off immediately. We married, had a son and moved to North Carolina and had our second son. Bryan joined a Hunting club in Georgia, that we are still apart of to this day. It was at this club with my husband, that I really learned how to hunt. I was taught how to watch and let the deer get closer and where to put a stand, etc. I harvested my first doe on that club, weighing in at 120 lbs, while my husband sat in the truck with the boys watching a clear cut. That was it, I was really hooked! No, I wasn t the first woman in camp to hunt, but I was the first to hunt as hard as the men do. Sure, I have heard the same questions over the years; How do you do it? My only answer to that was How can you not? The woods are my sanctuary. Things always seem clear when I m in the woods. And I have seen some wonderful things in the woods!
Over the years, I have harvested some nice deer and I m always proud of whatever I do harvest. I hunt Alligator, Turkey, Deer, Ducks, Coyotes, Fox and Bobcat. I am open to try anything once. I fly fish in the spring and summer months but hunting is always on my mind.
I have been married for 19 years to my hunting mentor lol, Bryan. We have two sons, Bryan Jr. and Boone. Bryan Jr. is currently in the Navy and fishes and duck hunts with us when he takes leave. Boone is in the woods and water with us all the time and has become quite the hunter. I know a lot of other ladies that hunt hard like me and I love meeting other lady hunters.
Jennifer L. Metzker
See the original article at CampWildGirls.com
Pull Up Your Big Girl Camouflage Grannies
Whenever I write about myself it is never flattering. I am very open with all of my outdoor insecurities. You all are very aware of my outdoor attack I d have the minute I d step foot in the woods because I just know a squirrel would makes its way in my hair. Those kind of things do happen and I would end up on the news. My news story would never read, Girl in Woods Gets 20 pt Buck no, my news story would read Girl in Woods Gets Squirrel Clawed.
From the way I portray myself, I often wonder what some of you amazing outdoor women really think of me. Because we all know you could careless if I got a pedicure today with a cute little flower on my big toe. No, these women are flipping around the net reading about this one hog tied an elk, this one wrestled a gator, this one tackled a bear, or this one that lived in the woods for a year. And then there s me¦
I can only imagine some of the things they think or say about me:
Her hair really does look like a nice comfy squirrel s nest.
That Hunter s Wife has no business running an outdoor site, she might break a nail.
Good god women, it s only a spider.
I m sure she has tinkled at the gas station sometime in her life and those can be some nasty s#itters. So what s so bad about the woods?
She ll shoot her eye out.
A couple more cupcakes and she will tip the boat over.
With all that whiskey, she will fall in the campfire.
Would you pull up your big girl camouflage granny panties already.
And she probably really does wear grannies.
I think I need to make a list of things I need to start experiencing before I attempt to meet any of these outdoor women.
Have a good day all¦I m off to complete #1 on my list¦I need to go find me a tinkle tree.
Let s hope Girl Tinkling in Woods isn t tomorrow s headline.
P.S. “ I m did a guest post at Surf and Sheds about Wendy s son s first deer.
See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net
May s Woman of the Wild-Jane Keller
Guns and Fun! Growing up in Rural South Dakota, I have always sought after outdoor adventure. We were snowed in during the winter way more than I ever wanted. Guns and amunition were accessible in every vehicle we owned and binoculars every window. Opening weekend of pheasant season was our big family reunion. Next to Christmas, it was the only time I saw many of my relatives. The landscape provided a never ending opportunity for target practice and fun with a variety of weapons. Looking back hunting was our entertainment. I really didn t know any different. It was our lifestyle. We openly shared this way of life with our family, our neighbors and many others. People came from all over to hunt with us. Even my very first suitor and I scoured the country side stalking a variety of prized game.
I attribute my deep appreciation of the outdoors to my parents. My mother s nurturing way and my father s continued encouragement to open my senses; to really see and enjoy nature around me. Their conservation efforts of my youth are proudly evident and thriving today. It is my joy and honor to continue in their legacy, to promote and preserve this passion for future generations.
The Quest for continued adventure in my life and the joy of sharing with others were the foundational factors supporting the development of the Team Huntress.
Team Huntress was formed as an avenue to direct and empower women on their path toward outdoor success. By providing exploration and discovery in a safe and secure environment, ladies will be aligned to boost their confidence and self esteem. Feel the Enthusiasm and Passion unfold as illumination in time honored practices are delivered from professionals in the outdoor industry. Unite with a group of kindred spirits as we encourage each other to progress and advance to a new level of proficiency in the great outdoors
The Team Huntress Outdoor Adventure Clinic is debuting June 11-14, 2009 in northern South Dakota hosted by Pheasant Phun at the OJ Bar Ranch offering hands-on outdoor skill building amid a spa pampering resort experience. Our emphasis is in the three core skills of archery, gear and firearms.
· Firearms
o Hand guns
o Shotguns
o Riffles
· Archery
o Re-curve
o Compound
· Gear
o Apparel for women
o Optics
o GPS
o ATV
Part clinic/ part retreat Team Huntress members will gain skills and knowledge for outdoor success each day plus some well deserved pampering and relaxation time.Team Huntress empowering women for outdoor success!
It is my endeavor to enhance your desire for adventure. It is my hope with the tools and skills gained through your association with Team Huntress you will be better prepared for the hunt of your life.
Join the Adventure Team and open a new chapter in your life; let The Huntress begin.
See the original article at CampWildGirls.com
TeamHuntress-Priceless
Well I have finally decompressed from the fantastic TeamHuntress weekend that Jane Keller put on at Pheasant Phun, in South Dakota, hosted by Dave Olsen. I have never, in my life, had such a wonderful time, with a bunch of women.
Team Huntress Family
Team Huntress Family
Life for, me, has forever changed. I was the first to arrive at the TeamHuntress event and as I met each woman that arrived there, I knew something was different. I immediately started to connect with each of the gals arriving. We all had so much in common that it felt like we had known each other for a lifetime. I didn t have to try to explain my love for the outdoors, the others felt that way too.
Growing up I always had more guy friends, than girlfriends. Not that the girls I knew weren t great, they were just not interested in hunting and fishing and being outdoors, like I was. I related more to what the guys were talking about. Things like, where the big bucks had been seen, or what kind of food they were eating. I hated going shopping, and didn t really get into things like home parties, or doing your hair and makeup, etc. Participating in such things, for me, was usually agonizing. On the other hand, as I grew older, a lot of my guy friends wives, didn t exactly want me to go hunting with their husbands anymore.
I started to realize I was gaining a new family or Sisterhood as northern California girl, Holly Heyser from Norcal Cazador Blog calls it. For me, someone who has lots of girlfriends, that she doesn t have much in common with, it was an unbelievable experience.
We had a great mix of personalities. Joining us from the state of Colorado, were Kirstie Pike of Prois Hunting Apparel, Anne Vinnola from Colorado Institute of Taxidermy Training Inc., Big Timber South Taxidermy Studio and Annie Got Her Gun, along with Gina Pollard who is an up and coming huntress. Wyoming brought to us, wildlife photographer Stacey Huston, author of , A Focus in the Wild, and her Husband Mike Hawk Huston from Journey with RedHawk. (O.k. he s not a girl but he has a great respect for women with weapons!). Joining us from Missouri was Barbara Baird, with Women s Outdoor News and The WOMA, as well as her husband, and gentleman photographer, Jason Baird. Our mother daughter team, Janice McKenney and Marin Broucek , along with Julie Rozell all from joined us from South Dakota and all fantastic outdoorswomen. Last, but not least, Realtree s Lynn Pankey from Alabama finished the mix.
Our mornings started us out with some social time or yoga followed by a tasty but healthy breakfast. Directly after that, was either some kind of fun skills in the outdoors or an interesting presentation indoors, depending on the weather.
It was hard to tell who was supposed to be the teacher, and who was there as a student. Everyone had very interesting experiences to share. I don t think any one person walked away without having been both, a teacher and a student, at one point in the weekend. If one person was an expert in something, there was someone else, wanting to try it and to learn it. Others were practicing and the skills they already had. Fresh eyes and new perspective were just what was needed to hone them. Without pressure or preconceived expectations, it was, for the most part, gals helping gals. Occasionally the guys added their perspective, but never in a demeaning or better than you way. They always treated us as equals and as skilled outdoorswomen.
We learned about archery with longbows and compound bows. We gained shooting skills in both handguns and shotguns. GPS, optics, gear, safety, emergency care, field dressing for taxidermy, native wildlife to South Dakota, we learned it all and just when you thought there couldn t be anything more, there was.
At the end of the day we would come into the beautifully decorated lodge and be treated to fabulous food(Thanks to Annie and staff!), incredible massages, refreshing facials, marvelous manicures, soothing foot massages, outstanding wine-tasting, and a relaxing social time. To top it all off there would be gifts on our pillows.
I mean cool gifts, like camo t-shirts, hats and videos, nutritious bars, scent-free personal care items, leather journals or gift certificates, and everyday there was something new and special waiting on your bed when you arrived there. I have never been that pampered before, ever. I didn t even know how much I would like all those things. I am now ruined for life. I tried it all and found out, I like it!
Most of all, I will never forget the unbelievable time I had at TeamHuntress. The special feeling of knowing I had been accepted. That becoming part of an unbelievable group of gals, with whom I have so much in common, will far outlast any of the skills that I gained. I have never before felt that way.
I can t explain my new found self confidence, my improved self esteem and the feeling of empowerment that I left there with. Those things will never be taken from me. It is not something money can buy. It was a weekend that, for me, was simply¦priceless!
A Special thank you to those who donated our gifts!
Haley Vines: www.haleyvines.com/
Hahn Creek: http://www.hahncreekwinery.com/
Realtree: http://www.realtree.com/
Prois: http://www.proishunting.com/
Camp Wild Girls: http://www.campwildgirls.com/
Tanka Bar: http://www.tankabar.com/
Berdette Zastrow: Women s Guide to Hunting
Faini Designs: http://www.fainidesigns.com/
Doeville: http://www.doeville.com/
See the original article at CampWildGirls.com
