WOMEN IN THE WOODS — The AGFC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program offers female hunters the opportunity to learn in a non-intimidating atmosphere. AGFC photo
By RANDY ZELLERS | Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Program will host three overnight camps this hunting season specifically designed to introduce women to deer hunting, and applications for the first two hunts are available now.
“The deer camps are for women who have never deer hunted as an adult,” Lea White, BOW coordinator for the AGFC, said. “We know there are some women who may have hunted with their family as a child, but never really learned how to hunt on their own. If this describes you, or if you’ve just never gone at all, these camps are exactly what you need to get started (or restarted) on the right foot. We also have a few spots dedicated to mobility-impaired women during the December hunt.”
All camps will begin with an introduction to hunting safety and instructions on proper firearm handling and shooting. No previous shooting experience is required, and rifles and ammunition will be provided.
Once participants are familiar with the firearms they will use, they will learn about shot placement, deer habitat and deer management. From there, each woman will have the opportunity to hunt twice with a mentor during the weekend.
“We’ll end each hunt with lessons on field-dressing, skinning and processing your deer to make the most out of your experience,” White said. “This is a hands-on camp, so we’ll be processing the deer participants harvest during their hunts. We want all participants to walk away from the weekend with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to get out in the woods on their own, and even introduce someone else to deer hunting.”
Registration is $75 to cover meals; it is due only after applicants are selected.
To be considered for these hunts, please complete the Google form in the links below:
Note: The spaces for mobility-impaired participants in this hunt are reserved for women who have a permanent physical disability requiring assistance from a wheelchair, braces, crutches or similar aids.
The third deer hunt will focus on late-season archery with a crossbow, and will be hosted Feb. 19-21 in Pine Bluff. Applications for this hunt will open in late December. Follow the AGFC’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman web page for updates.
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