Guru Huntress: More than a blast = women’s hunts

Two weekends, 19 women hunters, bows, guns, and fishing rods – a surefire recipe for FUN!! I recently hosted two Ladies in Camo whitetail bowhunts at Mountain View Plantation in Delta, Ala., where women from all over the nation attended: Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Indiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama. This event was not only a whitetail bowhunt, it also included a Women’s Ultimate Outdoor Challenge hosted by the outfitter.

MVP Weekend 1 Group.jpg

From L-R: Carlee Magness, Valerie Williams, Pat Hendrixson, Meghan Bailey, Shanna Hillis, Nancy Jo Adams, Tina Williams, Stacy Sissney and Cristy Crawford. Photo Credit: Life in Camo

The Women’s Ultimate Outdoor Challenge was a competition that included 3-D archery, rimfire shooting, 5-stand shooting and bait casting. Points were accumulated for each individual skill, added together and a highpoint winner for each weekend was awarded. Between the two weekends, the points were carried over and each skill had a highpoint winner with an overall grand prizewinner that accumulated the highest number of points. There was also the prestigious “DAL” award (Dead A$# Last award), given for both weekends. The overall winner was the recipient of a three-day rut hunt in January with Mountain View Plantation.

 

MVP Weekend 2 Group 2.jpg

From L-R: Jennifer McKinney, Chris Anderson, Andrea Main, Amber Markley, Shannon Markley, Nancy Jo Adams, Bernie Cotterall, Michelle Harmes, Kat Couturier, Jeanne Peebles and Krissy Hamaker. Photo Credit: Life in Camo

The Women’s Ultimate Outdoor Challenge winners were as follows: Weekend 1 highpoint winner – Cristy Crawford, DAL winner – Shanna Hillis. Weekend 2 highpoint winner – Kat Couturier, DAL winner – Andrea Main. The individual skill winners were 3-D Archery – Kat Couturier, 5-Stand – Shannon Markley, rimfire –Jennifer McKinney and bait casting – Chris Anderson. The overall winner of the 3-day rut hunt with MVP was Cristy Crawford of Paris, Texas.

Trophies and awards were awarded to the winners from some really great companies that cater to women in the sport of hunting. The companies that were a vital part of this hunt and event were HerCamo Shop, Buckmasters, Sugar Mountain Clothing Company/Turner Taxidermy, Never Quit (NQ) by THY, Bohning Archery, Silly Girlz, Pink Vixen Camo, Blitzkrieg Game Calls and Lures, Girls with Guns, and Strut & Rut. Mountain View Plantation sponsored the trophies and the grand prize hunt. McKenzie Targets and Delta Targets made it possible for an outstanding 3-D archery range.

Overall Grand Prize Winner.jpg

The overall grand prize winner of the 3-day rut hunt in January with MVP was Cristy Crawford of Paris, Texas. Photo Credit: Life in Camo

Bohning Archery hosted an arrow fletching clinic that some of the ladies participated in; learning how to fletch their own arrows. We fletched several arrows while in the clinic. We shared a few laughs while creating some custom vane and wrap designs – the sky truly is the limit with the quality products and vanes by Bohning Archery.

It seems that women’s hunts always start out the same; very few know each other when they arrive so there is a brief adjustment period. As the first evening progresses many of ladies are chatting away sharing hunting stories and tidbits about family and careers. Before you know it, you would think all of the ladies had been acquainted prior to the hunt. I always laugh when I tell the outfitters, “When the makeup comes off, at that point, you know we are all somehow connected.”

These two weekends were no different. We had such a great time and although I was not a participant in the competition, I was able to share the excitement with each woman as they competed; some trying a new skill for the first time.

Not only was the Women’s Ultimate Outdoor Challenge a success; the hunt was a success for several of the ladies.  We had a couple ladies harvest deer, several hunters shot at deer and every hunter seen deer on stand.  Stacy Sissney harvested a nice mature doe on the first hunt and Kat Couturier harvested a nice mature doe the second hunt.

Kat Couturier.jpg

Kat Couturier and her nice mature doe harvest from the second hunt at MVP. Photo Credit: Life in Camo

With two more successful hunts behind me, I am always grateful for the opportunity to share the outdoors with old and new friends enjoying the sport of hunting, buildi good friendships and make great memories. I am excited to see what 2012 has in store for the Ladies in Camo with various hunt offerings allowing women to not only grow as hunters, but also to enrich each of our lives.

Be sure to subscribe to the Guru Huntress’ blog at www.njadams1.wordpress.com to be the first to know about these exciting hunts as they are posted. You can read stories and see photos from past hunts she has hosted, as well as guest posts from those that have participated in various hunts.

  • About The WON

    The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women.

     

The Conversation

15 Comments
  • Jennifer McKinney says: January 3, 2012 at 10:29 am

    Nancy Jo hosts some awesome hunts! It’s always a blast hanging out with this group of ladies! The hunting is an awesome experience but meeting up with old friends and making new ones is life changing! I would follow Nancy Jo and my many friends made at these hunts anywhere.

  • Jeanne P. says: November 22, 2011 at 2:18 pm

    This was another great hunt! Thanks Nancy Jo for putting together these great hunts. Can’t wait to hunt with you again in December AND January. Thank you also for inspiring me to broaden my scope of hunting!! I am doing things I never thought possible due to fear and with your encouragement and all the other Ladies In Camo’s support I have learned ANYTHING is possible.

    • Nancy Jo Adams says: November 23, 2011 at 9:06 am

      Jeanne…you have come so far!! I knew you had it in you…you are amazing and an inspiration to other women hunters. And I am so thankful that you have such an awesome and supportive husband!! I am so proud of you. I am looking forward to many more hunts together. Good luck this season….I cannot wait to celebrate a harvest with you.

  • Krissy Hamaker says: November 22, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Had a blast on this hunt!! Look forward to the opportunity to go back to MVP sometime…it was a beautiful place and the southern hospitality was the best!! Any hunt with Nancy Jo is always a good time!

  • Chris Anderson says: November 21, 2011 at 10:05 am

    I had a blast and look forward to coming back next year to get that big one I saw!

    • Nancy Jo Adams says: November 21, 2011 at 12:15 pm

      It was so much fun to have the opportunity to hunt with you again, Chris. I am looking forward to seeing you at the Rack Nine Outdoors Hog Hunt in May, 2012. Happy Thanksgiving, my friend.

  • Katherine Couturier says: November 20, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    This was a great hunt Nancy Jo! Can’t wait to join you on another hunting or fishing adventure!

    • Nancy Jo Adams says: November 21, 2011 at 12:16 pm

      What fun we had…great shooting in the Women’s Ultimate Outdoor Challenge. We have two more hunts just around the corner from you this fall and in May. Looking forward to hunting with you again.

  • Michelle H says: November 19, 2011 at 9:47 pm

    This hunt was so much fun and I can’t wait to go back next year! The Ultimate Outdoor Challenge was amazing!
    The whole weekend was filled with great friends, great food and great hunting!

  • Tammy says: November 16, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    Nancy Jo, you’re a mentor to us all! Sounds like an incredible time!

  • Barbara Baird says: November 16, 2011 at 8:37 am

    We are so proud of you and how far you’ve come with your change of life into hunting! And, for you to organize these fantastic women’s trips is just icing on the cake. What a wonderful mission you’re on, Nancy Jo.

    • Nancy Jo Adams says: November 16, 2011 at 9:18 pm

      Thank you, Barbara. I have been blessed with some really great friends and I thank the Good Lord above not only for those He has placed in my life but those he continues to bless me with on this journey. Some I truly believe He puts some in my life to learn from and some to teach. I am also grateful for the opportunity that you have given me with Women’s Outdoor News. Your belief in me is truly humbling.