I got my first deer — a nice doe!
Pictures and story to come this week!
Author: Jen
Almost late season hunt time!
Life has been busy lately! I was excited to finally have a slow day to write a long post, but the weather had other plans.
A big wind storm knocked power out at my place yesterday and we’re still without it now. The laptop has no battery life and my phone’s battery is dwindling down. So the post will have to wait.
I’m excited to get out for the late season hunt this weekend! Cross your fingers it’s successful and I get my first deer!
I’ll leave you with some pictures of the sunsets here, the Puget Sound sure is gorgeous!
Happy Halloween!
From a deer in headlights trophy buck!
Hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween!
Washington Outdoors Women – Archery
My second workshop of the weekend was Archery. I’ve had an interest in bow hunting for a couple of years now and was really looking forward to being able to shoot a bow. The only time I’ve shot a bow before was way back in middle school when they had archery during P.E. one week. We used recurve bows and I remember loving it/being decent. So I was hoping I’d still be a pretty good shot!
A local news station came and did a great video on the weekend. Check it our here and watch the part on our archery workshop!
At first our instructor had us tie a piece of rope that we could use to practice our draw and release. We stood in a line and practiced releasing the rope a few times, focusing on “painting our faces” with our fingers as we let go.
Next, we went over the kind of bows we’d be shooting. They were compound bows that had a universal draw anyone could learn on, regardless of their arm length. She said it shot similar to a recurve bow. Everyone was getting antsy to get out and start shooting but first she went over course safety. It was helpful knowing the same rules and whistle sounds apply at most archery ranges.
Finally, it was time to start shooting! She handed us three arrows we were to keep using the rest of the day, they matched our draw length so we couldn’t switch with anyone else. We had three main targets and two animal targets. At first everyone shot at the big main targets.
Hitting the center of the target!
My arrows have the black and red fletchings, and the one arrow missing a fletching. I immediately fell in love with shooting the bow! There’s something very relaxing about focusing on the target and hearing a nice “thud” when it hits where you want it to go.
After 20 minutes of everyone getting comfortable with the bows, our instructor decided to add some bullseye targets. I liked the added challenge of really seeing where the arrow was landing.
Then, our instructor added balloons to the targets and the fun really started! There were several of us shooting at one target, so we’d call out which balloons we were trying to hit. It definitely brought all the women closer, cheering each other on when they made a great shot.
My arrow, right above the pink balloon. It became my mission to hit that pink balloon!
Took out the yellow balloon, but the pink balloon still escaped me. We wondered if my first arrow skimmed it because the balloon began shrinking, making it that much harder to hit!
Maybe if I focus harder I can hit the balloon haha
Finally got it!
A nice 10, 9, and 8 hit!
By this point, we had been shooting the bows for a couple of hours and I was absolutely in love. The instructor walked up to me and said, you’ve been bitten by the archery bug! She was so right!
They added a bear target and smaller bullseye targets. We then took turns going down the line and shooting at each of the targets. It was another activity that had all the women cheering for each other. Some of the targets were harder to hit, especially that turkey! So women made it their goal to hit it at least once and everyone was beyond excited for them when they did make the shot.
Lung shot!
This dang turkey was a lot of people’s enemy, not easy to hit! I’m not sure my shot would kill it haha.
Hitting the bear target!
The workshop was four hours and we probably shot for 3.5 of those. Toward the end, some of the women asked to take a break. Four of us kept shooting. I really couldn’t get enough of it. I was loving every minute of it and really didn’t want this workshop to end. I think my face shows how happy I was doing this, I had a permanent smile.
I’m glad I took the workshop because I now know that investing in a bow is definitely worth it. I hope to be able to get a bow soon and begin practicing. I want to get out next season with it!
I can’t choose which workshop was my favorite, but this was definitely up there! This is when I knew I’d be coming back to the workshop next fall.
Stay tuned for my next post on an impromptu fly fishing course!
Hunting is Conservation
Sorry for the lack of posts! When it rains, it pours… life has been a little hectic! Hopefully this weekend I catch up on a couple of posts!
Learning about conservation was one of the main reasons I really wanted to get involved in hunting. There are several great conservation groups out there to get involved with. One of the groups I’ve had an interest in since I started learning about hunting was the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
After seeing how much RMEF supported the Washington Outdoor Women’s annual retreat, I knew I wanted to become a member. 
I can’t wait to get more involved in volunteering and going to events!
There are some other conservation groups I’d also like to get involved with. As someone who loves the outdoors and hunting, it’s important to me to be apart of conservation efforts too.
Goodluck to all the Washington hunters on opening day of modern fire for general deer season tomorrow!
Washington Outdoors Women – Duck Hunting 101
The second day of the Washington Outdoors Women workshop had us all up bright and early! Breakfast was at 7am sharp so my alarm was set for 6:15am.
Everyone woke up groggy. Our area of the cabin was next to the bathroom which meant we fell asleep to a symphony of flushing toilets, creaking doors, and muffled voices. Needless to say, it took a couple hours to fall asleep. Luckily, the excitement of the day ahead had everyone in a good mood!
Duck Hunting 101
I walked over to the Duck Hunting 101 workshop after breakfast and met our instructor. The class was set up in a “blind” with our decoys out in front. She told us to grab a bag and take a seat.
Our makeshift blind for class
The bag was full of the first round of goodies I got that weekend. Inside was a Ducks Unlimited baseball hat, a waterfowl identification guide, a couple decals, an issue of Ducks Unlimited, and information about duck hunting. It was unexpected but really awesome to receive.
We started the class by first going over a handout that covered everything in the workshop. Since I went duck hunting with my brother last Christmas, I knew a few things already.
We covered safety with firearms, staying warm, knowing the weather and area, and letting someone know your hunting plan. I’m a person who’s always cold, so it’s going to be really important for me to figure out the proper layers to stay warm.
Our instructor had a great tip in case we did get really cold while sitting out there waiting for ducks. Take two hand warmers and then place them in your pants, directly on your kidneys. It’s a point that will warm your body faster. I’m definitely trying it out!
Next, we went over shotguns. She covered proper fit which was great to learn as a woman. Since most guns are made for men, they don’t always fit the best. She recommended cutting stocks down so the gun fits perfectly to your arm length.
An incredibly useful exercise she went over was “shoot the moon.”
Teaching us to “shoot the moon”
More learning how to properly handle shotguns
Washington Outdoor Women’s Retreat – Day 1
Driving up to camp, I had no idea what to expect. They gave us a list of what to pack and a rough outline of the weekend, but nothing about what would happen once we were actually there. I was greeted by women on the WOW team and directed to park in a field with all the other cars.
As I began gathering my stuff, I noticed a couple girls walking toward camp with only a backpack that had their sleeping bag attached at the bottom. Now I don’t think that I’m someone who needs a lot of stuff for a weekend, but the list they gave us included a lot of items I wouldn’t normally bring. I had about three bags for clothes, sleeping stuff, and my day pack with hunting boots in there.
As I was closing my trunk, another girl walked by with several bags and said, “Oh thank god someone else actually brought a lot of stuff with them!” We walked over to the main barn to pick up our welcome packets. It was both our first times at the retreat, so it was nice having someone else to be somewhat clueless with.
We picked up our packets and were told to go find a cabin with an open bed. After talking to the girl more, we realized we went to the same college and both loved Bob Seger which meant we became fast friends, or as we affectionately called each other—buddy.
It was interesting, even though I’m in my late-20s at a camp with women of all ages, it felt like being a kid again going back to camp. The same thoughts went through your head… will people like me, where will I sleep, I hope there are cool people in my cabin, who will I eat with in the dining hall?
WOW Weekend Success!
Clockwise: Washington Outdoor Women, my two arrows in the yellow, my shot at the bear target, skinning a duck to get the breast meat.
Before I make several big, long posts about the amazing weekend I had at the Washington Outdoor Women fall retreat, I just wanted to quickly post about how great of a time I had.
I highly encourage every woman to look for something similar in their state. I know when I googled it before, several of these groups came up in different states.
Not only did I learn some great skills during the three workshops, I met wonderful women with shared interests in hunting and fishing. It was refreshing to be able to talk about it with a group of women who all understand the same love of the outdoors.
I’m not sure exactly what my expectations were for this weekend, but I do know this far exceeded any expectations I had. It was a weekend I didn’t want to end and won’t soon forget. I’m already planning the workshops I’ll sign up for next year.
I’ll be making my first long post full of pictures on Wednesday. I’m excited to share some of what I learned on here.
P.S. I fell in love with shooting a bow, I can’t wait to get my own bow and head out for archery season next year!
Gearing Up for WOW’s fall workshop!
I’m starting to pack and get ready to head out this Friday for the Washington Outdoor Women’s 17th annual fall workshop! I can’t wait. 
The workshops I’m taking are: Duck Hunting 101, Archery, and Big Game Hunting Basics. I’m really excited for all of those and know I’m really going to benefit from this. I wish I could’ve gotten into a fly fishing class but there’s always next year!
I’m glad I’ll be taking the duck hunting workshop since I’ll hopefully be out doing that soon with my family.
Outside of going to learn these skills, I’m really looking forward to meeting other women with similar interests. It’s harder than I thought finding women who share a love of the outdoors. Hopefully I can come back from this on Sunday with a couple hunting and fishing female friends.
Expect many posts about everything I’ve learned when I get back!
Surf Fishing on the Oregon Coast
I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend!
I spent my weekend on the Oregon coast and got to experience surf fishing for the first time. Quite the change from fishing on a quiet lake!
I was given the homework to learn how to tie an improved clinch knot before the trip. The night before we headed out, I helped get the poles ready and tied a couple of knots. I was definitely slower at making my knots than my friend, but the lines held up in the ocean current so it worked!
You need to get a ways out there in the waves to get the line far enough, a bit too far in the ocean for my liking. So I stood back on the beach and took pictures/hoped waves wouldn’t knock him over!
Toward the end, he had me try to cast the line out once. It was a ten foot pole and not the easiest to cast out as you’re trying to keep your balance with waves hitting your legs. You definitely had to stand in a power stance to keep your balance.
Reeling the line back in with the current was also a little difficult. A lot of line went out so it took awhile to reel it all back in. It was definitely fun and I’d love to try it again!
He had one bite on the line. He said it felt big, quickly brought the rod down then left with the bait. It could’ve been anything swimming out in that ocean, part of what scares me about surf fishing. I wouldn’t want to reel in a shark!
It was an absolutely beautiful night after raining all day. So enjoy the many pictures I took of the waves and sunset.
Country Huntress 