The first day of September in Texas carries a tradition that unites hunters across the state: opening day of dove season. Trucks arrive before dawn, friends meet at first light, and the sky comes alive with fast wings. For Jordyn Bisbee, it’s another chapter in her personal journey of hunting and conservation.
Jordyn didn’t grow up hunting. Her family name is tied to the world-famous Bisbee fishing tournaments, but shotguns and bird dogs came later. That late start brought questions, missed shots, and self-doubt. “I think what I would tell myself if I could go back is breathe, take it slow. And you don’t have to be an expert right off the bat. Just get outside,” she says. Her advice to newcomers is straightforward: “What I can say to women is this, you just gotta start somewhere… find a community that’ll support it”.
“Hunting and conservation go hand in hand,” Jordyn says, pointing to education and reputable organizations as the bridge. Ethical, legal seasons support healthy populations, and groups like Ducks Unlimited help connect hunters and non-hunters around shared goals.
Those shared goals are also part of her day job. Jordyn works with the Bisbee Fish & Wildlife Conservation Fund, supporting projects that strengthen wildlife and communities at home and abroad. But on opening day in Texas, the focus is local: friends, family, and the camaraderie that keeps people returning to the same fields year after year.
Opening day also demonstrated the unpredictability of the outdoors. Mid-hunt, a trio of buffalo wandered into the field, sending the group on a careful retreat with an adrenaline jolt and a story for the tailgate.
From Texas dove flats to her conservation work, Jordyn shows that tradition grows when people feel welcome to take the first step. Connection builds conservation, and conservation builds community.
Learn more at ducks.org/ascend.
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. View all posts by The WON
