I am always encouraging ladies to get outdoors. Ladies, if you have the chance, find an event and go. It doesn’t matter if you know someone or not. You will have new friends by the time you leave. Women In The Outdoors (WITO) events are always fun. I am getting excited about one this coming weekend. It is a firearms safety and shooting course that the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) sponsors along with the Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW). DOW officers, police officers, and other volunteers offer their time to organize this event. I went last year, and it was a lot of fun. I, of course, met some new friends and connected with some old ones. This year I’ve gotten a couple more friends to come, and I know it will be another great time.
Last year’s course taught firearms safety and let us shoot many kinds of firearms and bows. We were divided into groups of 5 or 6 and delegated to go through 6 stations to learn about the different firearms and bows. Then we got to shoot them.
My group began at the archery station. We were given instructions and some of the history and use of different bows and arrows. The instructors told us about the arrow shafts, fletchings and tips, why we use each type, and so forth. Then we got to shoot at balloons and practice targets. I first shot a recurve bow. It is a traditional bow with long limbs, and the tips curve away from the shooter. It also has a single string that is pulled to launch your arrow. After that, I shot a compound bow. That is a shorter, more compact bow with cams and a string that runs a maze through the cams. It allows you to pull back more weight with less pressure, yet it offers more energy behind your arrow when you let go. They did also have a long bow which is more traditional like the Indians used to have. I didn’t have a chance to shoot that one.
Next stations, .22 rifles and then .22 pistols. At the pistol station, we also got to try out a couple of .44s and .45s. The weekend’s course would qualify us for our certificate to apply for a concealed carry permit, so there was a lot of education at each stand. We learned a lot about the responsibility of owning or carrying a concealed carry weapon. The instructor was great at instilling the responsibility of a concealed carry weapon.
After the rifle and pistol stations, our group headed to the muzzle load tent. We were taught how to load, fire, and clean the rifle. It was pretty cool because some of the ladies in my group had never shot firearms, and one in the group shot a bullseye on her first shot with the muzzle loader. It was great to see the excitement the group had for her! She also showed some spirit and was a great sport as we had fun seeing who could shoot more clays at the shotgun station. She sure is a great shot, and I am sure she’ll be shooting a gun again! –Hooked!
The last station was one of the most exciting. We shot the semi-automatic AR-15 and then the biggie… The 50 Cal… Oh yeah, a sniper rifle! As we approached the tent, we could feel the air percussion blow us back when shots were fired. A few ladies were worried about shooting such a large gun, but all lined up and tried it.
Everyone left with a smile and new friends. So if you have a chance, don’t pass it up. Get out and join other ladies in the outdoors.
It’s always an adventure!
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Mia Anstine is an outdoor writer, licensed outfitter, hunting guide, life coach, keynote speaker, and range safety officer, firearms instructor, and archery instructor. She is the founder of MAC Outdoors and Host of the MAC Outdoors Podcast.
Mia Anstine strives to encourage others to get outside, hunt, fish, shoot, and survive life with others in a positive way.
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Mia Anstine
MAC Outdoors LLC
PO Box 31
Ignacio, CO 81137-0031
I am so excited to join you this year!