Sportsman's Warehouse

Sportsman's Warehouse shows its support of the NWTF by participating in its Hunting Heritage Banquets and outreach programs. However, they go beyond donations. Staff from the Columbia, S.C., retail store served as mentors for the outreach dove hunts in Edgefield, S.C., this fall. Others participated as first-time dove hunters.

The tagline on their company website (www.sportsmanswarehouse.com) says, "We're more than just a store — we're your outdoor adventure partner." They also are a great partner in carrying out the NWTF's mission.

Omaha Longbeards — new name, new faces, new adventures

Omaha Nebraska NWTF Chapter The Omaha Longbeards Chapter (formerly Missouri River Longbeards) held its 11th annual Women in the Outdoors event in Ashland, Neb., Aug. 20. Sixty-five women and volunteers braved scorching temperatures and high humidity to participate in 14 hands-on outdoor skills classes. The women who took the scuba diving and kayaking classes were the envy of everyone, as they splashed around in the pool and on the Platte River.

Other classes included outdoor survival, self-defense, archery, trapshooting, photography, mountain biking, fishing and camping. Bowhunting continues to be one of the more popular classes, and inspired a participant to take a guided deer hunt this fall, where she shot her first archery deer.

Join them next year at the new Outdoor Heritage Complex at Platte River State Park.

Teresa Carroll
Women in the Outdoors Coordinator

Think small

Top on my list of desires for the Women in the Outdoors program is an event in every state. I receive phone calls each week from women who learned about the NWTF and our women's program and are ready to get involved. Too many times, unfortunately, I've had to tell them we currently do not have events in their area.

This year, my local committee hosted two additional women's events other than our annual workshop — a dove hunt and a concealed handgun carry class. With only 15 to 20 participants each, both events were smaller in comparison to our usual event, which brings in dozens of participants to try a variety of outdoor pursuits.

Perhaps a smaller event with a more focused activity is the best way to kick off Women in the Outdoors in your area. They require fewer volunteers, instructors and committee members, but still carry out the program's goal of exposing women to new outdoor activities.

These events still have great potential for fundraising. My committee secured a donation of dove buckets before the hunt and raffled them. They were a big hit with the participants and added a few extra dollars to the program's bottom line (which, of course, allows us to do more events).

If you have tossed around the idea of hosting a women's event in your area but don't feel you have the volunteers to tackle a full-blown, round robin-style event, consider coordinating a smaller event. They're great for laying the groundwork for a larger event, as participants talk to their friends and family about the good time they had. Who knows? You may even recruit a few event committee members.

Please contact me as you get started. I'll share our committee's secrets of success. Together, we can ensure that Women in the Outdoors is active from Maine to California, Florida to Washington, and every state in between. — Teresa