A Young Woman Hunting Among Men

My first hunting experience outside of our property in upstate NY was in Northern Canada. My dad asked me to join him on a hunt for caribou and I couldn’t wait to take advantage of a great opportunity to expand my hunting experience and knowledge, and of course to spend time with my dad! We set out from our home and drove to Canada. We spent the night in a hotel and met up with our outfitter the next morning.
It was quickly apparent that not only was I the only women in the group I was also the youngest person by at least 20 years. I wondered what it was going to be like to spend a week in the remote Canadian tundra with this group.
We then flew to a town called Schefferville. We ate at the local diner and took a look around the local shop (a roll of ductape was $20!) From there we took off in float planes for a lake just inside the Arctic Circle.
My dad and I spent our days with our guide glassing and stalking Caribou. I shot both of mine in puddles, which became a running joke at camp. My dad also got two Caribou. I helped carry out the antlers and hide while the guide packed out the meat. I was amazed to see his skill at stalking and butchering the animals. He was a native and had been hunting his whole life. It really made an impression on me to see him work.
At night we went back to camp. Our guide’s wife was the camp cook and she did an amazing job. She cooked traditional recipes that had been passed down from generation to generation in her family. I was surprised, sitting around the dinner table, that the men welcomed me into their conversations and respected me around the camp. I very much enjoyed tanning hides with the men and learning from them. I was happy that they all took the time to help me learn and grow.
I feel that my experience hunting with my dad and other men, especially as a young woman (I was 14 on this trip) helped me to become strong and independent. It also inspired me to continue hunting and strengthening my knowledge and skill as a huntress so that I could be a role model for young women.
I have always been comfortable holding my own around the boys and I think that is a valuable skill for any woman but I would have loved to have a women to look up to and learn from. That hunting trip was my first time hunting outside of my “backyard” and it was encouraging to see that men welcome women on hunting trips and they are willing to encourage young women. The trip was also a catalyst for my development into a women that young and old huntresses can look to for advice, support, and encouragement.

May 08, 2013 | Category: Blog | Comments: 2

 

2 comments on “A Young Woman Hunting Among Men

  1. Diane

    What a great experience you had at age 14 and kudos to your dad for taking you along. I started hunting the 1990’s as an adult and I too had a very positive experience being welcomed into my husband’s family’s annual deer hunt. I too was the only woman in a group of men and I never felt anything but total respect from them. I have since sought out and participated in hunting with other women, but it is still a male dominated sport. It is so nice to read about other women having positive experiences such as yours.

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