SHE Outdoor Apparel

Check out what's new at SHE Outdoor Apparel, one of the NWTF's licensee partners. Whether you're looking for safari wear, camouflage, clothes for upland hunts or the shooting range, SHE has a great selection of items just for women.

"I've had many successful hunts wearing SHE Outdoor Apparel," said Jeanette Limback, of the Benton County Boss Hens in Missouri. "It's comfortable, durable and has a fashion fit. It's great to hunt like a girl and look like one too!"

Find SHE Outdoor Apparel at www.OutdoorDealHound.com and www.shesafari.com.

Illinois Women in the Outdoors event

For the past five years, women from all over the Midwest have gathered at Camp Ondessonk, in the Shawnee National Forest, to experience a three-day weekend designed to challenge them physically and mentally. More than 60 women ranging in age from 21 to 71 attended the spring 2010 event and chose from 20 activities, including weaving baskets with deer sheds, canoeing and kayaking, even a "girls with tools" course where they overcame their fear of power tools and built an Adirondack chair. Camp Ondessonk maintains miles of trails throughout the forest, and attendees hiked to Illinois' tallest waterfall and experienced a night hike using night vision goggles. The 2010 event increased their net dollars by more than $2,500 over the previous year, thanks to those who volunteered their time. Dates for the 2011 event are May 13-15.

Teresa Carroll
Women in the Outdoors Coordinator

Like a kid again

Some of my best memories growing up are from my family's camping trips to the beach. Every summer, I'd crawl in the back of Daddy's '76 Chevrolet truck and watch with anticipation as the pine trees whizzing past my window turned to palmettos, then finally palm trees. The smell of warm, salty air was almost too much to stand.

I filled my days with barefoot adventures around Myrtle Beach, with the new friends I'd made at the campsite. I cried when we packed up our belongings, sniffing all the way across South Carolina back home. Each friend and experience became a special part of that summer, and those summers were an essential part of my childhood. Leaving them was difficult for my young, tender heart.

It was emotional déjà vu in 2009 when I went on my first turkey hunt with Cross Country Outfitters near Marysville, Kan. I shared camp with volunteers and corporate sponsors involved in the NWTF's outreach programs. Don Hickman was my guide.
My nerves were in overdrive, so much that I slammed the truck door without a second thought. Embarrassment turned to disbelief when the loud thud set a chorus of gobbles into the air.

As darkness gave way to morning light, I was taken aback by the wildlife I encountered. Two does made their way to our blind. One stomped its hooves as the other sniffed the decoy. We didn't connect on a bird that morning, but it was still an awesome experience for my memory bank.

That afternoon, I immersed myself in Don's methodical stroke of a turkey call, and was fascinated to hear gobblers respond. My concentration soon turned to the tom that stood 25 yards in front of me.

I was given the go-ahead to take a shot and took down my first turkey.

In less than a week, our group of hunters got to know each other as we shared a home, meals and hunt experiences. As we packed our vehicles and said goodbye, tears flowed down my cheeks, just as they did as a child leaving my friends and fun at the beach.

I'm grateful that the NWTF introduces women like me to turkey hunting and other outdoor sports. More so, I'm happy to know more adventures await me. Each one makes me feel young again, and I'm going to hang on to those bouts of youthful bliss as long as I can. — Teresa