…Other outdoor women who support and push them. Plain and simple.
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| Robin Follette, Taylor Follette and Me. These women make me want to be a better outdoors woman! |
In the month that I took off, there were blog posts flying around about who outdoor women are, what we like and don’t and how, even into adult hood, those damn cliques from high school pop back up.
Here are a couple of links to check out in case you missed them:
Field & Stream’s survey on “real women weighing in on hunting.” I took the survey but anyone could have told you the results and at the end of the day, it has nothing to do with my hunting. Following Eva Shockey on social media does not make me a better hunter. Feeding into stereotypes doesn’t help my shot placement. The only great thing F&S did in that issue was put the rock-star hunter Mia Anstine on the cover and highlight her along with other women who are breaking stereotypes and changing the face of the outdoor industry.
My friend Staci at MyMainelyGirlAdventures wrote a great blog about not fitting into the commercialized version of what a female hunter should look like. She nails it. Dad is lucky if I remember to brush my teeth before we go out hunting and to see me waddle out of the woods after sitting for 4-5 hours… I am the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man dressed in green wool pants and a red/black plaid wool jacket. I am warm. I am comfortable. And I can still shoot my rifle.
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| Staci Warren. Everyone needs a Staci to help push them, laugh with them and make any unsuccessful fishing trip a learning experience. |
I’ve written on more than one occasion about the barriers that outdoor women face and those that we put up ourselves. I am fortunate to have found a group of women who support me, encourage me, keep me safe while bear hunting and make me want to learn and be a better outdoors woman.
It doesn’t matter what a survey says or what other outdoor women’s groups think a hunter should look like. If it doesn’t make you a better hunter/fisherman/trapper, move on and find the type of people who will have your back and push you when you need it. THAT will improve your skills!
I'm so flattered you included me in your blog! Thank you…and I've already told John he's teaching me how to use the motor boat so we can go out in it before summer ends!