Women's hunting and shooting events

If you're a woman who wants to try out shooting or hunting, or if you know a woman who'd like to give it a try, break out your calendar, because the event season is upon us.

Below are some great opportunities coming up in Northern California, and if you don't live in NorCal, I've got two good places for you to start a search for something closer to home: 1) Check out the NRA's Women on Target Instructional Shooting Clinics. 2) Check out Becoming an Outdoors Woman. Both programs are highly regarded.

And if you're just looking to complete your hunter education course, there are plenty of resources: The International Hunter Education Association details the requirements throughout the U.S. and Canada. The California Department of Fish and Game has a page with extensive information, including advanced hunter education and how to become an instructor, and California Hunter Safety Course is a DFG-approved private provider of an online course. Just keep in mind that while you can begin study online at your convenience, you will be required to attend a class and take a written exam to receive your hunter education certificate.

MAY

Women's Shooting Clinic, Jackson: This day-long event offered by the True Sportsman Club features gun-safety workshops and training with handguns, rifles and shotguns. I've been to this one before, and it's excellent for beginners - a great introduction for a woman new to firearms - but also fun if you just enjoy shooting with other women.

It runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 15. Cost is $25, which includes breakfast snacks, gourmet lunch, ear and eye protection, ammunition and targets. Pre-registration is required, and you can register by calling Kathleen Lynch at 209-267-0385, or email her at rklynch@centralhouse.net. (Click here to read about the clinic I attended a few years ago.)

JUNE

NRA Women on Target Instructional Shooting Clinic, Lincoln: The NRA puts on high-quality programs, so this clinic, which will focus on shotgun shooting, is sure to be good.

The event will be held at the Coon Creek Trap & Skeet Club on June 18. Cost is $85, and take note: Preregistration deadline is May 18. For information, contact Patricia McLelland-Merydith by calling 530-852-9719 or emailing wot.patricia@yahoo.com.

SEPTEMBER

Cal Waterfowl Women's Hunter Camp, Solano County: This is one of those amazing opportunities where women can complete their hunter education, get shooting instruction and practice and go on their first hunt (a pheasant hunt), all in one weekend. I've been to this one twice and have made some good friends there - I highly recommend it. (Click here to read what I wrote about last year's event.)

The camp (it's really a day camp - no accommodations provided) will be held on Saturday Sept. 24 and Sunday Sept. 25 at the Birds Landing Hunting Preserve. Cost is $200, which covers lunches, hunting license and upland game bird stamp, targets, shells and loaner guns for those who don't have their own. Participants are required to do 4-6 hours of self-study in advance of the camp. For information, call 916-275-0961, or click here for information.

OCTOBER

Cal Waterfowl Mother/Daughter Hunter Camp, Sutter County: What a cool idea! I haven't done this one before, but if Cal Waterfowl's doing it, you know it's going to be good - they're total pros. This camp includes hunter education, shooting and other hands-on activities.

The event will be held Friday Oct. 7 through Sunday Oct. 9 at Montna Farms in Sutter County. Cost is $150 apiece, which covers overnight lodging, meals, targets, shells and loaner guns for those who need them. For information, call 916-275-0961.

NOVEMBER

Women's Duck Hunting Weekend, Red Bluff: Designed for women 21 and older who already have a hunting license, this three-day event sponsored by Delta Waterfowl starts with a wine and gourmet duck reception, duck cooking demos, shooting coaching and practice and waterfowl ID instruction at Red Bank Outfitters, and it culminates with participants going on mentored hunts at private clubs throughout the Sacramento Valley.

The event runs Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday Nov. 13. Cost is $175, and accommodations are included. Signups are limited to 25 participants. I'll update here and write another post when signups begin. (And I will know, because I'm one of the organizers.)

Ladies, there are lots of opportunities to get started, so let's make this the year it happens for you.

© Holly A. Heyser 2011