“Granny, who let the bugs out?” asked my 8-year-old granddaughter, as she cuddled close to me on the couch. As part of our evening bedtime ritual, I had chosen to read this newly released book, “Who Let the Bugs Out,” to my grandchildren. I hoped to gauge the book’s merits on their reactions. So, this […]

There aren’t that many competition shooters in any discipline who are coming up on 50 years of matches. Meet Nancy Tompkins, a long-range competition rifle shooter. She’s been competing in Palma (.308 caliber at 800 yards, 900 yards and 1000 yards – iron sights), Long Range (1000 yards – iron sights) and Smallbore prone for […]

Recently, The WON had the pleasure of being onsite for the makeover and grand reopening of the Cody Firearms Museum, in Cody, Wyoming. But even better than being there for the official first day, we got a sneak peek, a behind-the-scenes look the day before the opening. Because we were in the company of military […]

Gabrielle Pitre’s awards list is many arms lengths’ long, and includes High Colligate Service Rifle (NRA Nationals), 2018 Pennsylvania CMP State Champion and numerous Individual and Category awards at local and regional matches – dating back to 2011. Sponsored by Capstone Precision Group We found out why Gabrielle Pitre started shooting, the reasons she shoots and […]

Memorial Day, when we look back at why we love other people’s kids who gave all.

In these times, when we ponder how to get more women interested in the outdoors and how to raise girls that are anglers, hunters and shooters, we need to understand that it’s never too late for a woman to get outdoors oriented.

A few years ago, I reviewed the Walther PPQ M2, and liked it. I’ve been carrying that firearm for a while now, especially in colder temperatures and under coats and jackets for concealed carry. Walther asked The WON to review its sub-compact version of this striker-fired pistol, the Walther PPQ SC, in the Law Enforcement […]

Built to perform well in the “rugged Northwest,” these boots also did marvelously well in the scrabbly Ozarks. Having turned my ankle and torn a ligament a few months ago, and with it still on the mend, I looked through my extensive boot collection (including several models of Danner Boots) to find the perfect ones […]

Walther Arms offers several compact concealed carry firearm options for women, which include the CCPM2, the PPQ sub-compact and this one, the PPS M2 LE Edition. Imagine my surprise, when I went to pick up a Walther at the gun store and learned that there were 3 for me to take home and review? The […]

As curator of the Cody Firearms Museum, in Cody, Wyoming, Ashley Hlebinsky’s latest and most important duty is managing a massive renovation project at the museum, with a deadline of July 6, 2019. Along with the obligation of running a major firearms museum, Ashley co-hosted “Master of Arms” last year on the Discovery Channel, a […]

Women loved its predecessor, the Walther CCP, designed for the concealed carry market. But, they wanted more and they wanted the CCP to be an easier gun for them to disassemble and clean without a special tool required. Enter the CCP M2, Walther’s answer to a gun cleaner’s prayer. Sponsored by Walther I first heard […]

I recently purchased the Girls with Guns Clothing rain wear jacket and pants. Designed by the team of Jen O’Hara and Norissa Harman (founders of GWG Clothing), the set comes in a new camo pattern called “Shade,” which is subtle and attractive. I decided to put it to the test when Winter Storm Petra arrived […]

“You have to meet Nancy Friedman,” said a friend in the shooting industry. “She’s ‘The Telephone Doctor’ and she shoots a GLOCK.” Sponsored by GLOCK Since that day, I’ve enjoyed a few entertaining phone conversations with Nancy, and we’ve never had 5 minutes lapse without a laugh. Nancy is an expert on customer service, communications […]

We love to attend the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show every year and see what’s new and exciting in the world of concealed carry bags from GTM. One of the most popular booths on Level 1 at the show, the GTM women, along with female firearms instructors, talk to buyers and customers and get […]

She’s 20-years old but acts like a senior citizen when it comes to sleep habits. Why? Because this competition shooter knows what it takes to win. Meet Ashley Rheuark, who shoots prestigious national shooting matches wearing GLOCK’s jersey. We interviewed her at the GLOCK booth at SHOT Show this year. Sponsored by GLOCK The WON: […]

You may recall Gabby Franco from her first public appearance in the History Channel’s “Top Shot,” season 4 in 2012, where she made it to the final stage of the competition (the only woman ever to do so). Before her debut to the American stage, Gabby was the first female shooter to represent Venezuela in […]

The 8thAnnual Kansas Governor’s Ringneck Classic, Nov. 16 to 18, saw pheasant hunters braving freezing cold temperatures while afield, but warming up to fundraising efforts afterward. Hunters and guests from 14 states participated in this special hunting weekend, set in Colby, to bring awareness and dollars to wild pheasant hunting and conservation in Kansas. We […]

It seemed a fitting way to end 2018. Invited to tag along on an official Shoot Like A Girl, The Sisterhood Of The Outdoors’ annual duck hunt, I decided to pack up the car and head south for hunt with some women whom I knew would make the trip worth it. Sponsored by Remington Outdoor […]

As tempting as it might be to get your waders off after a fishing trip or duck hunt and forget about them in a closet, it’s necessary to wash your waders before storing them.  I hunted ducks in Arkansas and Mississippi right after Christmas. My waders, between hunts, got a wash with well water as […]

Vicki Farnam is a household name in the world of gun training. Having been in the firearms industry for more than 25 years, this vivacious grandmother teaches alongside her well-known husband, John Farnam. Together they own Defense Training International, a business that trains law enforcement as well as civilians in the skills of self-defense. Vicki […]

I don’t switch out guns like I change my shoes. However, I like to have a few guns to choose from for my concealed carry options, and have tended to choose smaller framed versions that I can easily conceal in inside-the-waistband holsters. With winter coming in strong, and with the purchase of 2 new longer-length […]

It’s that most WONderful time of the year – which is one the line of my favorite holiday songs. Indeed, this is the time of year when we receive gifts from friends and family. Sometimes, that may come in the form of cold, hard cash. With the New Year coming, and with some extra money […]

After going through the indoor, dry fire drills with my new Crimson Trace the CWL-202 tactical light on my AR, I took trainer Chris Cerino’s advice and headed outside to a range that would allow me to move and to fire at multiple targets. Sponsored by Crimson Trace In case you want a refresher or […]

In this final part of the series titled “Fairies and Firearms,” where we travel from then Isle of Skye in Scotland to Worcestershire in England and then, over to the west, to Yorkshire, you will see what it means to go on a proper British pheasant driven shooting experience. They don’t call them hunts. Hunts […]