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In honor of my Dad, my Birthday and being an Outdoors Woman

Every woman has a story. For some, it is a new adventure when the nest is empty. For others, it is a way to find themselves after a divorce or a new hobby after retiring. For some, it is a way to experience the outdoors among other women and for a few of us, it is a way to pay homage to the fathers who were willing to take their daughters into the woods.

When I walk into the woods this fall, I will be celebrating a milestone birthday, but more importantly, I will be celebrating 10 years of being my Dad’s hunting partner.

I remember how loud I was that first morning, crunching leaves and snapping branches. I am surprised we saw anything! But with Dad’s patience and teachings, we have seen a lot of wildlife over the years, built some great tree houses and harvested a few deer.

It is because of my Dad (and my Mom who gets up to make us breakfast at 4:30am, gives us words of encouragement and helps butcher our deer), that I have become more connected to my family’s history. I have been able to hear great hunting stories and hunt on the same land that my grandfathers did. Hunting has been a way for me to connect with people I work with and it has given me the opportunity to write 2 different blogs about my hunting experiences. I have learned patience, met some amazing people who are connected to the outdoors and have become a better woman in the process.

That is why I was so excited to join the board of Becoming an Outdoor Woman in Maine. It is the chance to empower women to become involved in the outdoors and get them excited about all of the possibilities Maine has to offer. BOW creates opportunities for women to participate in training sessions all over the State. I have the chance to help women have the same opportunities and experiences that Dad has shown me. It is an invaluable experience and I am proud to do what I can to pay it forward. -

In celebration of my 10th hunting anniversary (and my birthday), I ask that you join me in supporting Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW). Together, we can get more women into the woods and continue telling great stories of our adventures!

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Comments

  1. Bonnie KOctober 15, 2012

    Glad you and your dad can share such wonderful memories. I have great memories of coyote hunting with my father, prairie dog hunting with my brother, and deer, antelope, & elk hunting with my husband. Long live the hunt.

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