Bodcau Purrin' Hens
Haughton, La.

When the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Bayou Bodcau Dam and Reservoir in northwest Louisiana, they had no idea they had created a perfect oasis for the Bodcau Purrin' Hens and their annual gathering for women. Built by Newsome Durden and his wife in 1852, the Ben Durden Educational Center provides a centralized location for the chapter's annual event.

Established six years ago, Bodcau Purrin' Hens began with five committee members. Today, they have hosted seven events and increased their committee to 14 dynamic individuals.

This year, they doubled their membership and increased net income by 39 percent. With the help of the committee and their families, this event keeps getting bigger and better.

Success Story

Debbie LeGette, from Iva, S.C., attended a Women in the Outdoors Turkey Hunting 101 event this spring. Even though Debbie had been turkey hunting, she had never harvested a bird. Thanks to the South Carolina Forestry Commission, Debbie had her chance during a women's turkey hunt at the Niederhof Forestry Center in Ridgeland, S.C., where she harvested a 17-pound gobbler.

Debbie told her guide, "This has been a great day! It's better than manicures, pedicures and shopping at the mall!"

Teresa Carroll
Women in the Outdoors Coordinator

NWTF's outreach team

Wherever my job takes me with the Women in the Outdoors program, a new adventure is always close at hand. And why wouldn't there be? I can't imagine a women's event without heaping on the new experiences, new friends and a new appetite for some outdoor fun.

Take my recent trip to Haughton, La. The Bodcau Purrin' Hens committee showed no sign of slowing even though darkness had settled on the Ben Durden House where their event would take place the following morning. Whereas I am usually a basket case the day before an event, contemplating all the things that could possibly go wrong, "B" Prudhome and her committee busily set up the silent auction and raffle games, arranged door prizes, loaded coolers and tested sound equipment, while steadily cracking jokes and hurriedly chowing down on a late supper of homemade gumbo. With 14 committee members and a host of other helpers, this event was marching toward a success story before the first participant ever arrived.

Seventeen classes later, the 85 other participants and I had witnessed everything from flint knapping and skeet shooting to trailer backing and wild game cooking. How could I call it a day without a taste of nutria rat and rattlesnake? Especially when served with a side of laughter and encouragement.

As I reminisced on my way home, I realize there were two things that made the event a success. The first was having a large event committee dedicated to the NWTF and passionate about our mission, which was evident by their selection of outdoor classes, staying within budget through securing donations and choosing the games and raffles that were fun and desirable to play.

It also was the committee's undeniable care for one another and for those who attended the event. Their joy was contagious, and everyone left with a sense of belonging and satisfaction on a day well spent outdoors.

Sometimes I make things harder than they should be. Maybe you are guilty of it, too. Thanks to the Bodcau Purrin' Hens for reminding us that the path to success is often the simplest. — Teresa