Thanks WanderWoman! Good for you! It's great to hear that you have those special experiences with patient, knowledgeable teachers, and now are a more confident hunter. I too had a friend/mentor who gave me the courage to try it on my own. It does take time, but everything about hunting is a learning experience which makes it a powerful driver for me. Also, it's more fun than I ever imagined! I've viewed Randy's gutless method video A LOT but still haven't had the chance to actually do it. That part looms large in my imagination, but I'm looking forward to it.
I also love how each hunting experience is a learning experience and opportunity for growth. It is amazing, when I was first getting started, I couldn’t really find any/many other women hunters (or those experienced enough to show me the ropes), but it’s been great to see that expansion in hunting and how many more women are taking it up. You will love the gutless method. Not to derail this thread into one that talks about field dressing, but a lot of gals I talk to now specifically mention the “after the kill” process that’s the most intimidating part and their biggest barrier, but once you have it down, it is so ‘freeing.’ Randy’s YouTube video is an awesome one—life altering!
Pucky, Thank you so much for sharing these photos!!! I'm sure your girls absolutely love going hunting with you, and learning from the BDE!! Happy Father's Day!
Correction, girl! What a lucky one!
Yes, the problem (a good problem) with living in the heart of good hunting country is that there aren't many folks around, especially women who hunt and don't already have their own hunt to pursue in their own units. It's OK, I like to hunt/hike alone anyway, but wish for an experienced companion in the field sometimes.
Well now we all hunt as a family and I don't have daughters but I have three sons. Last year my husband was hunting with one of the boys in one location and I had the other two boys with me when I got my buck. The kiddos always help with the dressing and packing out and they have gotten pretty helpful with the cutting up and wrapping too. Being out as a family is one of my favorite things about hunting.
so I’ll wander around all night by myself with the thermal sometimes. We hunt birds together most of the time. When big game hunting, we either split up or take turns dropping each other off and picking them up at the other end of some kind of hike. I know a few other women that hunt with their family, but I don’t personally know any others that hunt like I do. Maybe a product of living in a small town? Idk.
HW:I guess my learning to hunt journey has been a little bit all over the place. My dad starting teaching my two brothers and I to shoot when we started kindergarten. He was not a big hunter himself but did go on the occasional deer or elk hunt. But for whatever reason, it never occurred to him maybe (?) that hunting would be something I was interested in? He took my brothers to hunters safety, and they hunted a few times when the boys still lived at home. But out of all three of us, I’m the only one that has ever been a serious hunter.
I didn’t get started actually hunting until I was an adult. My husband taught me. My father-in-law was the most avid hunter I’ve ever known. Hunting Husband grew up hunting everything Montana had to offer, so in the fall, I would tag along. I started with deer, and just gradually picked up more and more species as my skill and interest grew. We are both wildlife biologists by training, and hunting with him was just a natural progression combining things I already loved.
After 20 some years hunting now, last year I decided to try some new challenges. I took out my old open-sight lever action .30-.30 and took a deer with that. Also decided to try archery hunting and I’m teaching myself on this one. It’s been a lot of fun. I got out a lot last fall and had some close calls, messed some things up, and had a great time. This spring I’ve been shooting gophers for practice and my shooting and confidence are really improving.
I mostly hunt alone or with Hunting Husband. I’m usually on my own for coyotes because he hates those stinking things
As far as the field dressing, I think people get intimidated because they are led to believe there’s only one “right” way. That’s just not true. Don’t let that be a reason not to go out by yourself. Maybe don’t make your first solo foray a multi-mile pack out elk hunt, but go chase deer or antelope by yourself. Even if you’re close to the truck and there’s no packing involved, give the gutless method a try. Don’t be afraid to just try things. If you want your elk or deer parted out like a beef, then yes, there are certain cuts that need to be made. But who says wild game has to be butchered exactly like beef? If the end result is uncontaminated meat in the bag and no waste, that’s a fine place for a beginner to start. So you hacked up a couple of roasts in the field? Big deal. You’re learning. A lot of people are going to grind a lot of their meat anyway. Just dive in. I am confident you’ll learn more, and faster, if you fumble through a few and figure it out on your own.
Your boys must be very proud of you and grateful for your shared knowledge! Imagine them saying to their friends, "Yeah, my mom taught me to hunt like that!"
