ALABAMA
Beth Merkle
Continued from page 11
had other inexperienced women and
families in camp. truthfully, i am there
more for them than i am for myself. i
stand back and listen for concerns or
watch for those same uncertainties that i
used to have.
Hunting is different for women. the hunt
is not as much about the kill as it is about
the harvest. it is about spending time
outdoors and watching everything that
is happening around you. learning to
have patience and follow directions. Most
women, i know, take time to thank God
for a successful hunt and for providing
everything needed to survive. remember
the journey; not the kill.
One of my journeys took me to alabama
to guide/mentor for a group of young
women who belonged to Outdoor
Women Unlimited. i enjoyed watching
the joy in the young ladies faces when
we would return at night to learn who
was successful. My mind traveled back
to the days of my youth as i listened to
the stories of their hunts. to hear them
share about their time sitting in the blind;
some read books, some slept, and some role. Pioneering the trail has not been
an easy task. ten years ago a woman in
watched the birds fly by.
hunting camp was an oddity. there are a
By sharing my knowledge and experience few rough edges, but we’re working hard
in the field, i hope i made a difference in to get there.
their outdoor adventure and hopefully, in
their lives as well. i explained how they in 2012, i made a second trip to africa
can be successful in work and in the field. with four of my best friends; a hunting
Most importantly, i explained that nothing adventure unheard of, not so long ago.
is out of reach if you are willing to work Women are making a difference both in
the field and in the office. identify your
hard for it!
passions and what you enjoy doing in the
Social media has allowed me to stand outdoors. (ie. fishing, archery, camping,
back and watch a few of these young hunting, shooting). Find your niche and
ladies grow and mature. they are now master it! next, GiVe BaCK! take a kid
in college. they have relationships and outdoors and teach him/her to respect it.
are starting to find their way in life. More Blaze a path for others to follow.
importantly they are all still connected
to the outdoors. Someday those young i am blessed to work in an industry of
ladies might be mothers taking their sons friends, many of whom i consider family.
or daughters on their first hunts, sharing i believe it is more important to give than
to receive. and by the way, the Browning
in the experience.
shotgun – it is in my safe now. Dad gave
twenty-one years ago, only a handful it to me on my last trip home. it will ride
of women in the shooting sports indus- with me to my next pheasant hunt. Bird or
try existed. in today’s outdoor market, not, i will always have the memory of the
almost every company that i am in con- journey beside me.
tact has a woman in a key leadership
the years, i have hunted
with a large number of
women and men. i have
not observed much difference in their hunting activities. the focus
should be that hunting
is not gender based. the
priority should be on
the importance of family
value in sharing the outdoor adventure togethe