SCIF in partnership with Wyoming Game and Fish agency (WYGF), First Hunt Foundation, supporting sponsors RMEF and Federal Ammunition held the second Beyond BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Women) program in September at the American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) ranch near Jackson, WY.
This year’s program featured 17 women from Wyoming, Oregon, New Mexico, and Minnesota. Participating with the women were 8 mentors who attended to learn mentoring techniques and give support to these new hunters. An exciting addition to the program this year, was having all the women apply for an antelope tag in hopes of being able to participate in a hunt. Five women were fortunate enough to draw a tag and were partnered with mentors to go with them on their pronghorn hunts.
To watch BOW participants preparing for the hunt – https://intotheoutdoors.org/topics/preparing-for-the-hunt/.
To watch on BOW participant – Tylynn on her hunt – https://intotheoutdoors.org/topics/on-the-hunt/.
All participants who drew a tag were successful in harvesting an antelope. One participant, Tylynn Smith, was a 25-year-old first time hunter from Wyoming. Tylynn attended with her mother who was a first time hunter as well. As part of their experience, SCIF had Into the Outdoors education network film their journey together through the program and on Tylynn’s hunt. SCIF has partnered with the Into the Outdoors education network for the past two years developing educational curricula and videos for youth education as a part of SCIF’s America’s Conservation and Hunting Heritage program. Tylynn’s experience will be used as a half-hour syndicated broadcast to educate youth on hunting and how family experiences are a large part of the hunting heritage in the United States.
The Beyond BOW Program was a huge success. All the women and mentors who attended the program went away with new knowledge and added confidence to move into the phase of being an active hunter/mentor and conservationist. SCIF looks forward to working with the WYGF and their partners/sponsors to continue providing this program. Plans are in place to have another in September of 2021. If you know someone who would be interested in attending next year or would like more information about the program, please contact Assistant Director of Education, Todd Roggenkamp at troggenkamp@safariclub.org or 520-954-0664.
