Take a Woman Hunting Week

From the National Wild Turkey Federation:

April 21-28, during the 2018 Virginia Spring Gobbler Season, The Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation is promoting our 3rd annual statewide “Take a Woman Hunting Week” with the purpose of encouraging hunters and mentors to introduce women to hunting and share our hunting heritage.

By registering for this event, both the mentor and the woman hunting will be entered into a drawing for a shotgun. In addition, the woman will receive her choice of a custom turkey box call to commemorate the hunt, or a Women in the Outdoors event t-shirt. 

Registration is limited to Virginia residents.  You can find more information about the event at the above link.

"Hunter Pink" on List of Bills at the General Assembly

Kerry Dougherty has the report at the Virginian Pilot:

The measure, HB1939, was introduced by Del. James E. Edmunds II of Halifax.

A summary of the proposed law says simply: “Hunting apparel; blaze pink. Allows hunters to wear blaze pink instead of blaze orange hunting apparel when required during firearms deer hunting season or the special season for hunting deer with a muzzle-loading rifle.”

When I spoke with the hunter/legislator on Thursday, he said he got the idea for the bill when he met a “celebrity” who told him blaze pink was a winner with women hunters. When she learned he was a state legislator, she urged him to introduce a bill making it legal.

So, given more than one female shooting sports personality has commented that making something in pink does not make it woman friendly, I have to wonder if this bill is one of those tongue-in-cheek bills that pop up during the session every year.

Women of Weatherby A Resource for Female Shooters

During the NRA Annual Meetings in Nashville, Michael Bane had the opportunity to speak with the Women of Weatherby, Haley Heath, Rachel Ahtila, and Karissa Phantz at the Outdoor/Sportsmen Channel Booth.  The ladies talked about how Weatherby has created a resource for the fastest growing segment of the firearms community.  According to the Women of Weatherby web site:

The Women of Weatherby team is comprised of three women known for their fierce independence, positive influence and unconditional love of the outdoors. Their vast experience and authenticity as hunters provide the perfect foundation to inspire the dreams of women at every level of hunting and shooting.

Haley and Rachel noted that simply making firearms in purple, pink, and teal do not make them a woman's gun.  They said every woman is different and through the Women of Weatherby, the company has made a commitment to ensure that all women have the resources to make the right choice when it comes to owning and using firearms.

Media Focus on Woman Who Hunt and Shoot

World Champion shooter and Team Smith & Wesson member Julie Golob has this post on her blog on recent CNBC and ABC coverage of women and the shooting sports:

I loved the fact that CNBC chose to talk to so many women, including Smith & Wesson’s Laurel Smith who spoke about the M&P Shield. My closing comment in the piece sums up how I feel about it, that “It’s an exciting time in our industry.” Indeed it is! Focusing on fit and features, the firearm industry recognizes that female shooters and hunters are important!

This week ABC also covered the trend with an interview with Eva Shockey. Eva doesn’t fit the mold that mainstream media tends to showcase as the “typical” hunter and shooter. Neither does former Miss America contestant Theresa Vail, host of a new show coming out on the Outdoor Channel called Limitless, who I had the pleasure of meeting at the Benelli 828u launch party. Then there’s Sara Palin. Love or hate her, she has that dynamic personality that mainstream media jumps at the chance to cover. She’s also a hunter that’s passionate about our gun rights.

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NSSF noted during last week's Shot Show that self defense is the primary reason women are embracing gun ownership but they also want to learn how to hunt and go shooting with family and friends.

You may recall that Eva Shockey garnered a lot of attention late last year when hunting opponents began attacking her on social media for posting a photo of her and a black bear she had killed during a hunt.  She responded with grace, and even designed a limited edition clothing line with the tag line "I'll Never Apologize for Being a Hunter."

The clothing line was so popular, Shockey has reopened sales. But hurry, if you want one, there are only three days left.