SAMPLE ISSUE - LadyShooter LifeStyles 2021

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Life Styles

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22 The Age of COVID-19

68 A Trip to the Ozarks

85 COVER STORY A Day in the Life Of...

Features

22 The Age of COVID-19

68 A Trip to the Ozarks

85 COVER STORY A Day in the Life Of...

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contents from the editor

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Natalia Gonzalez

Stacey Stephens

Andrea Bogard

natalia@ladyshooterlife.com

stacey@ladyshooterlife.com

andrea@ladyshooterlife.com

michelle miles

brandy elrod

Editor

macy ledet

Fashion Editor mledetlaw@gmail.com

Publisher

Health & Wellness Editor m.milescoaching@gmail.com

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technical ballistics and other information provided by our journalists, contributors and correspondents is published in good faith and should not replace established safe practices. neither the author or publisher accept responsibility for injury or equipment damage resulting from its use.

LadyShooter LifeStyles LadyShooter LifeStyles

Editor

Resident Blogger elrodb@clhs-tx.org

Regular Contributors: Bri Van Scotter Louise Terry Vickie Ash COPYWRIGHT all rights reserved. no part of this publication may be transmitted or reproduced in any form with written permission from the publishers. the opinions expressed by correspondents are not necessarily those of the publishers. ladyshooter lifestyles recommends that readers satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of advertisers’ claims before any purchase is made, and accepts no responsibility for any loss arising from any purchase.

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from the editor

Aim t Inspire “I didn’t get there by wishing for it or hoping for it, but by working for it.”

-Estee Lauder

I

n our lives we often run into people that make an impact on us in one way or another. People that we look up to because of their achievements professionally, athletically, and even just someone that makes you think, wow, you’re a really good mom. The admiration and respect that we give people who we view as being successful or worthy of esteem can sometimes lead to negative emotions. I find that these negative emotions arise from comparison. I have been guilty of this trap of comparison before and I want to talk about it a little. Comparing someone’s life and their achievements to your own is a dangerous road to travel. At the end of the day, we are and will always remain just people. We are all people sharing this place called Earth and trying to make our way through this thing called life. Every one of us has our own life to live and no two are alike.

It is imperative to us at LadyShooter Lifestyles that we continue to share stories that inspire others to work harder, dream bigger, and grow tougher. Living the lady shooter lifestyle is something that all of us that work, write, create, and contribute to this magazine are passionate about. I hope that as you read this issue you feel our love in creating this magazine and are inspired to encourage and reach out to the ladies we have featured. We aim to build a true community of inspiration, education, and sisterhood.

As we move forward in 2021, our first year of Lady Shooter Lifestyles, we are learning every single day how much hard work pays off. This is now our third full length issue and we could not

be more excited about it. Things are moving fast and we are doing our best to keep up. Last year around this time we were making the decision to postpone the initial debut due to the pandemic.

Now fast forward to this year and we are full steam ahead with the magazine, events, blogs, and there seems to be no end in sight!

Here at Lady Shooter Lifestyles, we strive to recognize hard work and dedication by not only featuring amazing ladies that have a passion for life and shooting sports, but also by recognizing hard work within our own organization. We are excited to announce that Andrea Bogard, has accepted the position of Co-Editor. You have seen Andrea’s dedication and contribution to the magazine from the very beginning with her feature “Balance is a Masterpiece” and many more. Her writing and photography have been essential to the success of this publication and her extensive background an asset. We are thrilled to have Andrea involved on a higher level so we can work together to bring you the best content and stories. Andrea will be starting a new blog that is currently under development. Building onto her “Balance is a Masterpiece” feature, she will be sharing her daily life with you. As a mother of two, living in rural Michigan, Andrea has a most unique lifestyle which allows her to live the ultimate #ladyshooterlifestyle. I know we are all eager to know more about it, please be on the lookout for announcements on the launch of her blog.

That being said we are excited for you to enjoy our creation. In our Leading Ladies feature this edition we are bringing you candid interviews with four incredible ladies that will be representing the USA at the Tokyo Olympics.

Our “21 Things you Don’t Know About Me” features one of my favorite young shooters and future Olympian, Sidney Coffin. If you want a good laugh, make sure you follow her journey.

We are also introducing the beautiful and

expansive world of Archery to you. Andrea brings us another excellent installment of the 2nd Amendment Discussions along with Part Two of her AR build journey in “Till I Can Make it on My Own.” We get to visit South Florida and experience her first successful turkey hunt at Quail Creek Plantation. Look for more stories on her visit including a gator hunt in our next issue!

As always, we have a great firearm profile, this time the lady’s Victoria from Krieghoff. We also have been receiving your feedback about how much you love the wild game recipes that we have decided to bring you even more. This time you get a meal from Holly Hearn at Game Girl Gourmet and a dessert from Bri VanScotter at Wilderness to Table. We are also celebrating the launch of the Winchester Ladies Cup which is bringing big money to ladies shooting. You will also find my Blooming Babes article detailing our first ladies’ event where my mom came and shot a shotgun for the first time! The last article I want to mention is near and dear to my heart because it is about Macy Ledet, our Fashion Editor. Her story “Macy Strong” will change your life if you open your heart to the beauty, fragility, and resilience of life.

It is a pleasure and an honor to bring you this issue of LadyShooter Lifestyles and we all look forward to hearing and seeing your feedback.

Whether on social media or via email, all of our staff is available if you ever have questions, comments, feedback, ideas, or even a submission for publication. n

Natalia Gonzalez LadyShooter LifeStyles

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LadyShooter LifeStyles

cover from thefeature editor

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from the cover feature editor

What’s YOUR Why? “SHE WAS POWERFUL, NOT BECAUSE SHE WASN’T SCARED BUT BECAUSE SHE WENT ON SO STRONGLY DESPITE HER FEAR.” ATTICUS

I

t was a beautiful October day to drive from northern Michigan to eastern Wisconsin. I was heading there to photograph and write about an all-women’s whitetailed-deer hunt at The Wilderness Reserve, a 5500-acre ranch in Phelps, Wisconsin. I had been hired by Prois, the women’s hunting gear and apparel company based in Gunnison, CO to document real women in real hunting situations experiencing real emotions.

As I drove the six plus hours to the lodge, I kept circling back to the first Prois trip I had taken and met Kirstie Pike, the owner of Prois (See Kirstie on the cover of this issue!). It was fall 2017 and I was losing more battles than I was winning. I was struggling personally, burnt out in my career and felt like I had lost myself somewhere along the journey of marriage and kids.

One cold October morning, I got an email blast from Prois that a spot in their all-women’s pheasant hunt in South Dakota the following month had unexpectedly become available. After a brief mom-guilt battle, I told my husband I wanted to go and would get my mother to come watch the kids.

At that time, it had been over 13 years since I had taken a solo trip of any kind. Yet, here I was, a very inexperienced hunter taking off to go hunt with a group of people I had never met to chase a species I had never hunted in a state to which I had never traveled. Why? Because I needed to take my life back. That trip, that hunt gave me the courage and community to do just that.

Now, three years later, a much different woman was driving West. She was strong, confident, peaceful, powerful and excited about all that life had to offer. She raised her hand; she said yes to this adventure called hunting. And, here we are.

BY ANDREA BOGARD I pulled into the Wilderness Reserve at about four o’clock in the afternoon. I was greeted at the gate by Lisa Pike (no relation to Kirstie). She and her husband, Forrest, run the Wilderness Reserve.

We had never met, but I was instantly drawn to her. Her smile, laugh, warmth and hug were contagious. She also had great taste in trucks – we both were driving black F-150s.

I followed her about 20 minutes into the heart of the Reserve. It was over 5500 acres of towering hardwoods, fluffy conifers and rolling hills. The yellow leaves were molten in the glow of the setting sun. I rolled the window down and coasted slowly down the gravel road towards the lodge.

We emerged from the woods and I was greeted with a magnificent lodge overlooking a lake through the windshield. I felt oddly at home as I parked Victoria (my truck) on the gravel pad in front of the lodge. I had a feeling some amazing journeys would be travelled this week

and incredible stories would be both written and told.

The ladies were already out on stand so the lodge was quiet. I unpacked, settled in, readied my camera gear and waited for the call that I knew would come soon that there was a “big buck down.” I didn’t have long to wait.

That night, two ladies tagged out on incredible deer. The first woman was a very new hunter and an Army vet. This was her second deer, but her first with a rifle. I watched the excitement turn to peaceful power in the glow of the lights as she processed her buck with the help of her guide.

She had driven across the country alone to hunt with five women she’d never met and put the pieces together for the next phase of life. She not only got the first deer of the trip, but the biggest bodied buck ever harvested on the property. He was 286 lbs.!

The second deer was back at camp by the

Jessica LadyShooter LifeStyles

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cover from thefeature editor

hand, a different group of women came to the table that night from the evening before. Faces flushed from the snow outside, the fire on the hearth, but, more importantly, the fire inside.

There was the woman who had never been on a girl’s trip in her adult life and just harvested her first deer, at the same time! She made a phenomenal shot after a tough stalk through the snow, mud and woods. I’m not sure who was more excited, her or her guide!

There was the JAG lawyer who was a warrior not only for herself but for the little boy she was raising singlehandedly. Her walk up to her deer was one of the most emotional I’ve ever captured.

There is nothing quite as sacred as the moment you sink to your knees in gratitude beside a harvest.

Then there was the Southern Arkansas rancher who was as strong and fierce as she was

Kelly

time we returned. He was a beautiful, mature, massive typical buck. The hunter was a former Marine and adult-onset hunter with extensive personal and professional involvement in the outdoor industry. She started with antelope and never looked back. The emotion, the solitude, the self-reliance and the challenge fed the fierce and nourished the soul. Her reverence and quiet satisfaction with both the process and outcome were written on her face.

The next couple of days brought four inches of unexpected snow, a first deer down for one amazing woman, a few personal bests and some of the most authentic dialogues ever experienced by the guides and lodge managers.

Prois merino wool on and post-hunt wine in

Ange LadyShooter LifeStyles

Shannon

beautiful. She drove to Wisconsin to harvest her personal best buck and she did! As she got to her deer in the freshly fallen snow, the sun broke the clouds and time stopped. The following day, we celebrated her birthday at the lodge. She came away with some amazing stories to tell her grandbabies back home.

The last one in the picture was the owner of Prois, Kirstie. She created more than a brand.

She built a community for women in the hunting world (See Kirstie’s profile in the upcoming Leading Ladies issue!). Kirstie harvested a beautiful buck with her long-time friend, Lisa, as her guide. The giggling coming from their Ranger on the pack out was a perfect reminder about the beautiful sense of community found in hunting.

Each woman was outfitted in Prois clothing and gear for the trip. Prois is not just a base layer or a down coat, it’s an attitude, a mind-set and a

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from the cover feature editor

Kathy

purpose. It’s a community of women taking part in a mutual passion at all levels. From the new hunter to the seasoned vet, it’s a sisterhood of support, encouragement and empowerment.

Kirstie saw the need for performance hunting gear for women, but created a bond amongst

The laughs and stories rolled around the table like a warm wave. Finally, one woman looked at Forrest and Lisa at the end of the long table. “So, is it different having an all-women’s hunt in camp?”

Even the fire seemed to stop crackling as Forrest looked away from his wife sitting beside him. His eyes travelled around the table as he started to speak.

women hunters that is incredible to behold.

That night, after an amazing meal, the conversation started to flow. For most, hunting was something that came in later in life. The women around the table ranged from 34 to 54.

Single, married, divorced, mamas and grandmas.

“In 25 years, I have never encountered a group of hunters who have fought harder or overcome more to get where they are. I have never sat around a table of hunters and had the pride be checked at the door without question.

I’ve never sat and listened to the level of raw emotion and fierce determination that I’ve heard this week. And I’ve never encountered the level of authenticity, fight and focus that I’ve seen these last few days. Thank you.”

Forrest & Lisa

Kirstie & Lisa

The table was quiet for a long heartbeat.

Then, a toast was raised to the moment, the hosts and the experience. The conversation turned to “why.” Why are you here? What brought you to this moment, to this place and to this choice?

Why do you hunt?

What’s your why? I’ve asked a lot of people that question, including myself. Why do you hunt? Why do you harvest? One by one, I listened to the answers as the ladies around me unwrapped their why.

“I want to provide.” This is one of my favorites. I love the concept of providing for my LadyShooter LifeStyles

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family in this way. When I pull a backstrap or a breasted-out pheasant from my freezer to prepare for a meal, I know I am providing for my family in a way that no one else can.

“I want to be self-sufficient.” In 2020, being self-sufficient is a treasure. Knowing you have a freezer full of food is a true gift in a time of intense uncertainty and food rationing.

“I want to feel more connected to nature.” I love this one. As a hunter, you absorb more sunsets and sunrises than most people who don’t hunt. As you sit in the woods in the dark and listen to the world awaken for the day, you live the sunrise, not just see it. You are watching, hearing, smelling and feeling the world wake up.

There is nothing quite like it. That connection is primal and beautiful.

“I want to be a good steward.” Being a good steward encompasses a broad range of responsibilities. Whether picking up trash on the

LadyShooter LifeStyles

cover from thefeature editor

side of the highway or managing animal populations, stewardship and conservationism are a crucial element in being a human.

“I want to know I can do it.” This one was special. The woman who offered it was wearing an aura of quiet confidence over her Prois camo base layer. She had never harvested a deer before and had made a perfect shot on a gorgeous, trophy-class buck just four hours earlier. She wanted to know if she could do it, and now she had her answer.

Late that night, I sat cross-legged in the middle of my bed at the lodge and looked at the cursor blinking at me in silent question. So, Andrea, what’s your why?

When I felt like I was the prey in life, hunting gave me a way to reverse that relationship. It gave me the confidence to create my own outcome, the tools to do so and the community I needed.

Ange

Hunting gave me the peace in my heart and the stillness in my mind to carve opportunities from ruin and victory from challenges. The life of hunting provides a bond with my sons that nothing else could. It’s a passion, a lifestyle and a link that I pray will always be there and will fiercely protect.

That’s my why. Now, you raised your hand.

You said “yes” to this way of life. Whether you started as a child or decided to try later in life, there was a reason; there was a why. So, what’s your “why?” n

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from the editor

Big Game Hunts. Pheasant Hunts. Wedding Venue.

Rental for Events & Christmas Parties.

680 Reserve Lane Phelps, Wisconsin 54554 Tel: 715-545-2700 We have cabin rentals

LadyShooter LifeStyles

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fun fromjust thefor editor

? ?

21 Things You ?

? didn’t Know About Me 1. I am a freshman at The University of Florida…Go Gators!!!

2. I am majoring in Animal Science and plan on becoming a Large Animal Vet.

3. I have a 14-year-old Pomeranian-Poodle mix named Brownie.

4. I Figure Skated for six years.

5. My ethnicity is Lebanese and Italian.

g 10. I was the first lady to ever shoot a 200 straight in Trap at the SCTP National Championships.

11. I’ve been playing the Piano for approximately ten years.

12. I am OBSESSED with The Hunger Games.

13. I can gut a deer.

14. I drive a Black Ram 1500 Bighorn Truck.

15. I can’t shoot with a hat.

16. I volunteer at a Therapeutic Barn where I train horses and teach handicapped children how to ride.

6. I was named after the song “Rhiannon” by Stevie Nicks.

7. I live in Florida and hate the beach.

8. I am a devoted Catholic.

9. I was a Nationally Ranked Archery Competitor before I started shooting.

LadyShooter LifeStyles

17. I know the lyrics to practically every Carrie Underwood song by heart.

18. I graduated in the top 10% of my class.

19. I was the first lady to ever win the Last Competitor Standing Competition at the SCTP National Championships and won it two years in a row.

20. I broke my collarbone playing “Hide and Seek” when I was six.

21. I shot my first deer with a muzzleloader.

My name is Reanna Frauens and I am a 19-year-old Sporting Clay Shooter from Florida. I grew up hunting with my father, but started clay shooting approximately four years ago after joining the SCTP Team “Young Guns at Quail Creek.” This team built the foundation of my shooting career, for it is where I grew a deep love for the sport and decided to dedicate a great portion of my life to it. After my strong performances in the SCTP, I switched gears and began competing in the NSCA. In 2018, I became the youngest sporting clay shooter to receive a sponsorship from Krieghoff International and I now humbly represent KI and duPont/Krieghoff. A few of my greatest accomplishments consist of being named the SCTP HOA Lady National Champion in both 2019 and 2020 and winning the 2020 Lady FITASC National Championship. I am currently competing in the NSCA Circuit and am aspiring to become a member of Team USA.

from the editor

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LadyShooter LifeStyles

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LadyShooter LifeStyles

What’s in my Bag? from the editor

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from theineditor What’s my Bag?

What’s in My Shooting Bag? THE JEN BLAKE EDITION

I

f you’ve ever participated in any kind of shooting sport with a single gun you know you have a bit of gear, however, preparing for a 3Gun match, the guns and gear are multiplied by three! Of course, you’ll need the three guns for starters.

GUNS I use a semi-auto 12 gauge with an extended magazine tube to hold the maximum amount of shotgun shells, an AR-15 semi-auto rifle with a few special upgrades added to make it more personalized and competition ready (such as Rise Armament Trigger, Hogue Inc. G10 15-degree grip) with a Crimson Trace Scope and an Atlas Gunworks custom built Hyperion semi-auto 9mm.

Heading to my first competition, I knew how to operate the firearms but had never attended a match. I flew from Ohio to Atlanta, GA with only a pistol and used loaner guns that they had available for the ladies. You don’t have to have the best of the best—most people show up with what they’ve got and make it work and slowly improve their gear over time. Multi-Gunners are always ready to lend their gear and help out newbies too! After one match, you really start to feel like you’ve got some new family.

After that, I was hooked and with every paycheck I purchased a little more of the stuff I needed because I knew I HAD to do that again! I even put an AR-15 on layaway.

150 rounds of birdshot, and 10 shotgun slugs. For practice, self-defense, and competition ammo I use Ammo Inc. I’ll bring four 30 round Hexmags (rifle magazines) and one mag that actually holds up to 60 rounds. In order to not end up with tons of empty ammo boxes, I transfer the rounds into cute canvas ammo bags with patches labeled for 9mm & 556 made by Run and Gun Apparel.

GEAR I use the red Safariland ELS Belt System, holster, and their pistol and rifle mag pouches. The best way to reload your shotgun on a stage is to have them stored in caddies on your gun belt, my favorites are the EZ Load and Safariland brands.

SAFETY Safety is always the most important thing on our minds, so I always wear ESS (Eye Safety Systems) ballistic glasses with multiple interchangeable lenses. If it’s cloudy and I need clear, or sunny and I need tinted—I can quickly change the lenses. Wearing certain types of hearing protection for the entire day, three days in a row can be uncomfortable. I use custom molded electronic ear pro by Harris & Sons, which protects ears from loud gunfire but allows you to hear all other lower decibel noises. I never forget to pack chamber flags to put into the guns so everyone can see the guns aren’t loaded.

AMMO

EXTRAS

Most major matches recommend bringing 250 rounds of pistol, 250 rounds of rifle ammunition,

Leading up to a match, the match director will send out updates via email for anything special we

need to prepare for, such as a special type of target, obstacles, rules, or maybe to let us know we need a sling. I pack a range finder so I can find the distance of the long-range targets. I keep a Sentry Products Group scope cover on when I’m not shooting to protect my scope from dirt, rain, or even fingerprints. I also use the Sentry Products Group Armadillo’s on each of my long guns to protect them from getting too hot while in the sun, or the rain depending on weather. I also pack some “just in case” items like a durable pocket knife from Hogue Inc, a Sentry armorer’s kit for any repairs needed, gun lubricant, and multiple shoes (waterproof boots, trail running shoes with large rubber cleats, etc).

You’ll definitely need a way to carry everything. I use the Hogue Inc. Double Long Gun Bag. It’s padded inside and has a divider to keep them separate. It has special pockets to hold my rifle mags and my Briley shotgun chokes. I keep my pistol protected in the Hogue Inc. pistol bag, which also has a place for all five of my magazines and my Uplula pistol mag loader (aka my fingers’ life saver).

I’m sure it seems overwhelming, but I think it’s worth it! If you need discount codes on any kind of gear, advice, or even concealed carry classes, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I am always happy to help ladies discover their love of shooting 3Gun or even guns at all. n

@gun_girl_jen gungirljen@gmail.com LadyShooter LifeStyles

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wilderness table from thetoeditor

www.wildernesstotable.com

@wildernesstotable LadyShooter LifeStyles

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wilderness to table from the editor

FOOD

Venison Recipes

BY CHEF BRI VAN SCOTTER OF WILDERNESS TO TABLE

I

’m a big advocate of knowing what you want to make with your harvest before you go into the field. Why? Well that helps you to butcher in ways that will give you the cuts and dishes you desire. Having a plan on how you would like to utilize the animal is one of the best things you can do. If you don’t have a culinary game plan before you enter the field, then you are subjected to dishes that are dictated by your processor, and there’s more to venison than ground meat and jerky. Like these beautiful dishes, a herb crusted rack of venison and venison harissa osso bucco. Shanks are often the forgotten cuts that are truly delicious. And the ribs are often overlooked because of the prized backstrap. If you didn’t plan on making these dishes beforehand chances are you might have just tossed these cuts away. These are definitely underutilized cuts but after you makes these recipes, you will forever have a changed mind, and most of all you’re using more of the animal.

This is why having your culinary game plan is so important, don’t let the season go by without looking like a rockstar in your kitchen!

Enjoying Bri’s recipes?

Checkout her new cookbook available on Amazon.

Herb Crusted Rack of Venison Servings: 8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes

- 2 1⁄2 – 3 pound rack of venison, frenched - Koshersalt and ground black pepper - 5 tablespoons grapeseed oil - 8 cloves of garlic, peeled - 3⁄4 cup panko bread crumbs - 1 small bunch of parsley, large stems removed - 1⁄4 cup fresh chives, rough chopped - 1 tablespoon fresh sage, rough chopped - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, rough chopped - 1⁄2 cup grated parmesan cheese - 2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard

When you really want to make a dish that is a show stopper, this is it! And the best thing is this dish is actually easy to make and doesn’t take much time to make as well. This is the perfect dish for holiday gathering or celebrations or even on those days you just want to feel like a bad ass chef. This recipe is all about the venison and fresh herbs. So, feel free to make this recipe your own and add different herbs to change it up.

Want a Latin flare, try using cilantro, red pepper flakes and a little red onion. And if you really want to go all out, smoke this rack on the grill!

Preheat oven to 400°F. Season the venison with salt and pepper. In a large cast iron pan set over high heat, add the grapeseed oil. When the pan is hot sear the venison on both sides, about 3-4 minutes each side. Then remove the rack and set on a baking sheet to cool. While the venison is cooling, in the bowl of a food processor, combine the garlic, panko bread crumbs, parsley, chives, sage, rosemary and parmesan cheese. Pulse the mixture until well combined and everything is in small pieces. Brush all the sides of the venison rack with the Dijon mustard. Then coat all the sides with the breadcrumb mixture to create a thick crust. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes.

Once cooked allow the venison rack to sit for 5-8 minutes before slicing.

LadyShooter LifeStyles

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wilderness toeditor table from the

Gray’s

Shotgun Cache

Venison Harissa Osso Bucco Servings: 4 Prep Time: 25 minutes Cook Time: 2 hours

- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil - 1 onion, small diced - 2 carrots, small diced - 2 celery stalks, small diced - 2 tablespoons tomato paste - 2 tablespoons Harissa - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - All-Purpose flour for dredging - 4 venison shanks - 2 cups red wine - 2 cups beef stock - 1 sprig fresh rosemary - 1 sprig fresh thyme - 1 fresh bay leaf

“Where Our Customers Send Their Friends”

Doug and Susie Gray 806-622-8142 www.mynewshotgun.com LadyShooter LifeStyles

In a large Dutch oven (6-8 qt), heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Once the pot is hot, add the onion, carrots and celery. Cook the vegetables until they are slightly brown and caramelized, about 10 minutes. Once the

vegetables have cooked, add the tomato paste, harissa and cinnamon to the pot and cook for 2 more minutes. Place the flour in a bowl and lightly dredge the shanks in the flour. Then place the shanks in the pan and turn the heat to high.

Gently brown the shanks on the top and bottom for about 2 minutes on each side. After the shanks have browned, add the wine, beef stock, rosemary, thyme and bay leaf. Simmer on lowmedium heat, covered, for about 1 1⁄2 hours to 2 hours or until the meat is falling off the bone.

Serve with creamy polenta or mashed potatoes.

Osso Bucco is definitely one of those classic Italian dishes that everyone loves! I mean what’s not to love? It’s rich, decadent and comforting. I like to change the classic up a bit and use Harissa.

Harissa is actually a Tunisian chili pepper paste that is made with roasted red peppers and a mixture of spices. It adds an element of heat and spice to this dish that I find utterly delicious. If you love spicy food this is right up your alley—if spice is not your thing, you can either reduce the quantity of Harissa or eliminate it, but I highly recommend adding some, even if it’s only one teaspoon. n

from the editor

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LadyShooter LifeStyles

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food from the editor

www.gamegirlgourmet.com

@gamegirlgourmet LadyShooter LifeStyles

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from the editor food

FOOD

Pork Recipes

BY CHEF HOLLY HEARN OF GAME GIRL GOURMET Stuffed Wild Pork Tenderloin with Parmesan Polenta I started Game Girl Gourmet to provide creative and unique wild game food to hunting lodges, sportfishing charters as well as private wild game dinners for small events. I am also incredibly passionate about sharing my love of wild game food and educating others about safe and sustainable hunting practices, and last but not least—butchering! I have been butchering for about nine years and have come to realize that most people are unaware of how to utilize wild game the same way they would store bought meat. This realization led me to begin working on a visual Podcast with Made in Texas Radio, showcasing wild game cooking and butchering.

For this recipe, I chose to use the backstraps from a wild pig that was taken on my parents’ property in Fannett, Texas. Wild pigs are an everincreasing threat here in the Lone Star State.

With no natural predators and incredibly fast breeding rates, wild pig populations have skyrocketed in recent years. These high population numbers and a year-round hunting season make them an incredibly sustainable protein source, not to mention they are delicious.

Throughout the course of my life and hunting career I have heard from multiple people that wild pig meat is not good to eat, tastes gamey, is tough, etc. This could not be further from the truth! I have found that almost of all these complaints can be addressed with proper butchering techniques and using the right cooking methods for the right cuts! The best way to ensure meat quality is to confirm that an animal is “caped” meaning skinned, quartered, and then immediately put on ice after dispatching. Following this I begin the process of “wet aging” which is placing a brick under one end of the cooler, opening the drain, and

changing the ice every day for between 4-7 days.

The key is the guarantee that the meat never sits in water and stays ice cold. After “wet aging” I begin breaking down the hams and front shoulders into more recognizable cuts that resemble what you would see in the grocery store.

This is the general process that I utilize when butchering all wild game with exception of birds.

Another important thing to remember when cooking wild pork, and most other types of wild game, is not to overcook it! Wild meat is incredibly lean and tends to dry out thus is easily over cooked. Each type of meat and cut requires different cooking techniques but typically cooking it medium-rare to medium is considered safe. I personally prefer rare to medium-rare.

Stuffed Pork Tenderloin - 1 wild pork back strap - Fresh spinach - 3 cloves of garlic, minced - Sundried Tomatoes, julienned - Your favorite cheese (Mozzarella, feta, gouda) I use whatever I have available - Balsamic vinegar - Coarse Salt, pepper Set oven to 400°F . Cut back strap in half, butterfly up to ½ inch, open backstrap and tenderize to ¼ inch thickness. Season both sides of flattened back strap with coarse salt and

pepper. Place spinach in square, garlic, sundried tomatoes, and cheese on one side of the flattened back strap leaving about ¼ - ½ inch of space all the way around. Tightly roll backstrap and secure with toothpicks. Top rolled backstrap with sundried tomato oil and balsamic. Heat olive oil or grapeseed oil over medium heat and sear for two minutes on one side in a cast iron pan. Flip tenderloin and place the skillet in the pre heated oven for 10-15 minutes depending on thickness of the backstrap. Remove from oven and rest 5-10 minutes. Slice, drizzle with balsamic glaze and serve.

Parmesan Polenta - 4 cups stock - 1 cup corn meal - 2/3 cup high quality parmesan - ½ cup milk or heavy cream - 3 Tbsp Butter - Salt to taste Bring stock to a boil and over medium high heat.

Whisk in cornmeal turn heat to medium. Stir periodically for 30-45 minutes until polenta is tender. Warm milk (it doesn’t have to be boiling but you don’t want to add cold liquid to the polenta it stops the cooking). Add milk, butter and parmesan to the polenta stirring with a rubber spatula and season with salt to taste. n LadyShooter LifeStyles

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food from the editor

www.wildernesstotable.com

@wildernesstotable LadyShooter LifeStyles

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food from the editor

FOOD

Dessert Recipes

BY CHEF BRI VAN SCOTTER OF WILDERNESS TO TABLE

Bear Fat Espresso Brownies with Tahini Buttercream Yield: 16 brownies Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes

- 1 cup bear fat, melted - 1 cup white sugar - 1 cup brown sugar, packed - 1⁄4 cup espresso powder - 4 eggs - 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour - 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Frosting - 1 stick softened unsalted butter - 1/4 cup tahini - 3/4 cup powdered sugar - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - Maldon sea salt Directions: Preheat an oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, add the bear fat, white sugar, brown sugar and espresso powder. Whisk until everything is well combined, about 1 minute. Then add the eggs and whisk them in until well combined. Use a spatula to gently mix in the flour and the cocoa powder.

Mix until just incorporated making sure not to over mix. Spray a 9 x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and line it with parchment paper. Place the batter into the baking dish and spread out evenly. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Train like a champion, take the hard shots, and leave it all on the field.

-Julia Stallings team USA Bunker Trap

Frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment add the butter and the tahini, mix for 1 minute. Then add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and whisk on high for 3 minutes.

Assemble Once the brownies are completely cooled, place the buttercream on top of the brownies and spread it evenly on top. Sprinkle the top with a bit of maldon sea salt, cut then serve.n

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24

LadyShooter LifeStyles

gun gals from the editor

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fromgals gun the editor

“…Til I can make it on my own.”

— The Beatles

JOIN ANDREA BOGARD ON THIS MULTI-ISSUE JOURNEY AS SHE TAKES AN AR-15 BUILD FROM IDEA TO #PEWPEW!

D

o you ever have this desire to just do something yourself ? I know I do.

It’s apparently genetic, because both of my sons have been known to glare defiantly and say, “I do it myself ” on a somewhat regular basis. Anyone else? Just me? I digress.

I had this idea several months ago while perusing the gun department at a local sporting goods store. I needed a new gun (I use that term somewhat tongue-in-cheek), and I wanted something a bit different than what already graced my gun safes. I wanted a different platform to round out my current arsenal. Do you ever feel somewhat stagnate in your creativity? That’s kind of where I was that blustery winter day in the Jay’s Sporting Goods gun department. We’ll call it a ballistic rut, for lack of a better term.

I was eyeing the rack of AR-style firearms behind the counter and dreaming about the possibilities. I didn’t currently own one. Also, there were multiple ways to go about the process.

Buy it as-is or configure everything from scratch.

Caliber? Color? Barrel length? Stock design?

Optics? My mind raced with the options and creative directions. I may have found the path out of my ballistic rut…

If you’re reading this, it’s possible that you may not be familiar with what I’m talking about.

Let’s chat!

First, “AR” stands for ArmaLite Rifle. The “AR” abbreviation is commonly misused to represent “assault rifle” or “automatic rifle.”

Part I: The Caliber Cluster

g

Both references are incorrect when referring to the fundamental platform and how it got its name. ArmaLite was the company that first produced this particular style of rifle in the 1950s.

The primary market focus was military but, for a variety of reasons, sales were lackluster.

In 1959, the design was sold to Colt which produced the fully-automatic M-16 for the military and the similar semi-automatic AR-15 for the non-military markets. When the exclusive license expired in the 70s, other companies picked up the AR-15 platform concept and the already successful design exploded in popularity. While other gunmakers gave the platform their own names, the AR moniker became a commonly used reference for the basic design across a variety of brands.

So, why an AR? What’s the appeal? For me it’s the LBD (little black dress) of guns. You’ve got a blank canvas to accessorize and achieve whatever look you want! Is it a strappy heels blingy necklace kind of look? Then, trick that thing out! Custom cerakote, cutting-edge optics and leveled-up aesthetics. Or, are you looking for a sandals and subtle jewelry-type of presentation?

Perfect. If so, go for clean lines, simple operation and classic interface pieces.

I’m looking for something somewhere in between. I want functional, shootable, huntable, rugged and fun. I also want something with crisp optics, consistent accuracy and factory-available ammunition. As I write this, I recognize the last one might be a tough find due to the current nationwide ammo shortage.

When I set out to buy a new gun, I make what I call a Caliber Cluster. This is basically a disorganized written pile of goals, expectations and intended uses with a healthy dose of impracticality thrown in. Imagine something along the lines of “Well, I know that round needs

a 24-inch barrel to maximize performance, but I want a 20-inch barrel instead!” Insert foot stomp here.

Let’s take a look! First, I wanted something I could hunt with. I already have several boltaction platform rifles that cover a variety of different species. I have a .350 Rem Mag (cover) for big stuff at sub-250 yards. I have a Griffin & Howe Highlander in 6.5 Creedmoor that covers nearly everything in North America and beyond from coyotes to elk-sized animals at appropriate distances (check out the profile “I Want Moor” in the last issue!). I have a 7 mm Rem Mag that overlaps the 6.5 in many areas while sacrificing the “fun factor” – it’s not as fun to blitz through a box of 7 mm Rem Mag as it is my beautifullybraked 6.5 Creedmoor. I have a .458 Win Mag – no fun factor, but effective on dangerous game (think Cape buffalo). I have a bolt-action .223 that is good for lighter game, but not overly inspiring to me (picture those super boring shoes you have in the back of the closet and never wear).

I wanted something I could hunt coyotes, bobcats, prairie dogs and miscellaneous critters with. I wanted something FUN to shoot! A plinker, if you will. But, a plinker with some teeth.

I wanted a purpose-built caliber for which factory ammo was readily available. While I know how to handload, I don’t have as much time or desire at this particular stage of life. I want to walk into my local sporting goods store and buy a case of ammo and drive to the range or woods.

Accuracy. This is critical! It’s no fun if you can’t connect. I wanted a rifle/caliber that could shoot a wide enough range of bullets to both play and hunt as well as have a barrel configuration that would stabilize them all.

I needed a round that could be chambered in

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gun gals from the editor

6.5 Creedmoor Griffin & Howe Highlander

an AR-style platform. There are a lot of factors that play into this. Basically, it boils down to the right bullet/case/magazine size relationship to feed and function properly. Don’t worry, we’ll talk more about this in the next installment!

Additionally, I wanted something I could shoot A LOT and not have it burn through barrels. Some rounds are hotter or more 7mm Rem Mag

destructive to barrel integrity than others. I didn’t want to have to buy a new barrel every 1,000 rounds.

Here’s the most important part to me: I wanted something I could build. I didn’t want to go to a store and buy one off the rack. I wanted to learn to put the pieces together. With a firm commitment to help from a good friend who is a machinist, I wrapped my rather shaky math skills (and equally questionable mechanical abilities) in confidence and said, “I’ll make it myself.”

What’s the result of the Caliber Cluster? .204 Ruger The .204 Ruger is a purpose-built cartridge

LadyShooter LifeStyles

conceived in 2004 in a combined effort between Hornady and Ruger. The purpose? To be the first large-scale, commercially- produced .20 caliber cartridge. The pros? It’s accurate, lowrecoil, flat-shooting, factory available and fits the AR-15 platform — all the parameters in my Caliber Cluster.

Here are some fun facts: In factory ammo, it’s available in 24- to 40-grain bullets. Velocities range from 4,400 fps to 3,581 FPS leading to maximum muzzle energy of 1,351 ft lbs. The cartridge is a .222 Rem Mag necked down for a .204 bullet with a few other dimensional changes.

I found something functionally-fun, shootable, huntable and with factory-available ammunition.

It’s time to get started!!! Check back in our next installment for a primer on the parts we need (and how to find them), a glossary of terms and an introduction to what a Bridgeport is. Are you excited?? I am! Because I’m going to “Make it on my Own.” And so can you. n

THE FUTURE OF OUR SPORT

WON’T GROW ITSELF.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GROW THE SHOOTING SPORTS. If just 1 in 3 hunters and target shooters introduce one new person to the shooting sports, we’ll secure a strong future for generations to come. The +ONESM Movement is a mission to do exactly that. We need your help to spread the word about the single most unifying force in the shooting sports today. Together we’ll ignite the passion of millions of new hunters and recreational shooters. And build the future of the way of life we love.

Be the one. Join the +ONE Movement.

Visit nssf.org/plusone.

SM

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LadyShooter LifeStyles

from feature the article editor

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from thearticle feature editor

The Long Shot SOPHIA BULTEMA TAKES US ON HER JOURNEY FROM AN ORPHANAGE IN CHINA TO THE PARALYMPICS I snapped the gun up and rested the warm wood against my cheek. The orange light on the mic turned on and I called for the clay. I only saw a blur of orange before the clay skyrocketed to the left. I followed the clay with my eyes and the gun moved with me as I pulled the trigger. It dusted. And with that the 2020 Para-Trap Nationals had finally come to an end. Having won first place, I had little time to celebrate before my mind focused on the next thing, World Championships. But my story doesn’t start there.

I was born in China. At a time where being a girl or handicapped meant you were likely to be put into an orphanage, I was born as both, a girl with a limb difference, but I’ll explain this later. I spent the first five and a half years of my life in an orphanage and I remember having little of my own. The clothes were durable, thick and hot, but not very pretty and definitely not my taste. I remember the food basically being watery rice and greens, and I shared a room with three other toddlers.

The day I was adopted I was given a Barbie doll from my nanny Ting Ting. I knew it was a parting gift, I knew I was moving out of the orphanage, I knew I was getting adopted, but I didn’t know what “getting adopted” really meant.

I was given photos of the family that was adopting me. One of the pictures was a family photo with all six of my new siblings (Hans, Sven, Jarred, Brianna, Annika, and Ellora) but all I saw was some random family. “They have two other girls adopted from China, too!” my nannies excitedly pointed to Annika and Ellora. But what does this have to do with me? I thought. The oldest brother from the family, Hans, had even come to visit me in the orphanage a year before I was adopted. He had lived in China for a number of years, fluent in Mandarin Chinese, and explained to me that soon I would be living in America. Still, the reality didn’t set in until, suddenly, the people in the pictures that were supposedly my “family” were right there, standing in front of me.

Because of the language barrier, when they tried to speak to me their words were foreign and incoherent. They looked, dressed, and talked differently, even the facial expressions they made seemed alien to me. Our first day together ended with me crying until I fell asleep in my new mom’s arms, utterly exhausted by this whole new world. Little did I know, this was just the start.

Once we arrived at a hotel, where we would stay for several days while my adoption papers were finalized, I asked Hans, “Is this America?”

He was the only one I could communicate with at the time and he laughed as he explained that America was so far away we’d have to travel in the sky to get there. We went to the swimming pool at the hotel and Hans asked me, “Do you know how to swim?” I answered, “Of course I know how to swim,” and with that I jumped into the pool and sank straight to the bottom. My dad dived in after me, saving me from certain death.

“I thought you knew how to swim?” Hans asked as I gasped for air. “I was swimming.” I said

naively. It turns out I didn’t even know what swimming was and it hadn’t occurred to me that America was an entirely different country from China. My world was so small and controlled that even the concept of drowning didn’t exist.

So, as we flew in the sky to get home, to Colorado Springs, my world grew significantly.

When we pulled up to our house I asked “How many families live here?” In China, I would’ve expected two or three families in a house this size, but in America, I couldn’t believe the house was

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all for one family. Walking in, I wanted to touch everything I saw— I jumped on the couches, banged on the piano, and wreaked what little havoc I could, being that I was both sleep deprived and scared. I was so exhausted that night that when I finally got ready to go to sleep, I vomited all over my new bed. Despite my new and exciting life, I missed the familiarity of my orphanage. My mom tells me I would cry myself to sleep every night for months and I would often watch Chinese TV shows when I felt homesick.

But I knew that the tighter I held on to things that remind me of my old life the harder it would be to embrace the new one.

I started going to all-day kindergarten shortly after we returned because my parents wanted me to be fully immersed in English, hoping that I would pick it up quicker. Much to their dismay, and mine, I struggled with adjusting to everyone and everything. I remember my old elementary school friends telling me that I used to pull them aside and speak rather angrily at them in Chinese. I would come home every afternoon exhausted and frustrated, wishing I could tell my parents about my day at school or tell my friends about what I did over the weekend. As my English improved I began to lose my Chinese skills. I couldn’t talk to Hans in Chinese anymore and it was sometimes difficult to understand the characters in Chinese movies I watched. I also started to be more and more adventurous with my new family. I liked to wear princess dresses around the house and eat hot cheetos and I was always pushing everyone’s buttons. I changed from being the shy new sibling to the

LadyShooter LifeStyles

feature from thearticle editor

rambunctious sister. My family learned that even though my life started with a lot of challenges, I was a force to be reckoned with.

Our first Christmas together was filled with all the traditional holiday things: stockings over the mantle, gingerbread houses, snow angels, but what I’ll always remember was the Nerf shotgun I got from my dad.

My dad has been shooting since he was a little boy. He grew up hunting and shooting competitively, taught all my siblings how to shoot, and would eventually take me to the gun range to shoot a gun for the first time when I was nine years old. However, at the age of six, I had only seen guns in movies and I remember opening my gift hoping it was a big barbie or a very long puppy. To my surprise, it was a side by side plastic nerf gun. I pulled the trigger twice and two foam darts popped out and stuck to the wall. I felt powerful wielding this weapon of ultimate destruction! As my siblings and I ran around the house having a nerf gun fight in our pajamas, everyone was surprised by how easily I pelt them with my bullets. Even though some of them were armed with two guns, I still got them with my one.

Like I mentioned earlier, I was born without a left arm, from the elbow down to be exact. It’s a common limb defect and although it has presented it’s challenges, I’ve never felt it has limited me. I’ve also learned that, for many people, my missing arm can make them uncomfortable. For some, when they see my

missing arm that’s all they can see. I’ve had many conversations with people and they all ask the same questions “what happened? Does it make life difficult? Do you wish you had a hand?” I try to tell people that instead of seeing it as a disadvantage or unfortunate circumstance, I simply see it as the way I was born. I was born in China, a society where being able-bodied is an advantage and having a limb difference means you face a lot more difficulties in life. Although I grew up learning how to do things without an arm, I knew that I would face challenges because of it.

Once I was adopted, I really wanted a prosthetic. It was a priority to make myself “perfect” and I thought that by living in America I could get my very own arm. It was my American Dream. I got my first arm the same week I had come home. My arm, which I called my “Barbie” arm, was a pretty hand and it matched my skin. However, like a Barbie doll, it didn’t do much. The next arm I got after that I called “Big Bob,” which was much more functional than my “Barbie” arm. The index and middle fingers moved and allowed me to grip things, like the handle of a bike, but I didn’t like it because it was bulky and I felt like it made me stand out even more. Then, in third grade, I got my myoelectric arm. Unlike my last two, this was a major technological step forward. It had electrodes that sensed nerve impulses to open and close a robotic hand. It looked good like “Barbie” and it functioned even better than “Big Bob”, but

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it wasn’t very durable. As a 4th grader, I loved playing on the playground during recess and jumping rope with my friends but the arm would always break. To fix it, the arm would be sent away and it would often take weeks to get back.

By the end of the year, I got to the point where I just decided it was better to not have a prosthetic arm. It wouldn’t be until years later that I would want to take up the challenge of learning how to use a prosthetic again. In 2017 I went back to China to visit my orphanage with my mom, Hans, and a family friend. When we arrived, my mom noticed that I was hiding my arm when we went out. She could tell that being back in China brought back the shame I used to feel about only having one arm so she started researching about the fast growing world in prosthetics.

Since my first myoelectric arm, there have been some big advances in arm prosthetics. I set aside my desire to have a “real looking hand” and went full-on high tech. The iLimb Ultra, my current arm from Touch Bionics, is similar to the myoelectric arm in that they respond to muscle movement. Unlike the myoelectric arm, my iLimb can move at the wrist. I can control each finger individually and use an app on my phone to control finger settings. My dad calls it my “Luke Skywalker” arm. Plus, my arm has gotten me lots of attention. (I mean it is a $140,000 arm.) People want to know about it, how it works, what I can do with it, and why I need it. Life changer, am I right? I went from trying to hide that I’m missing an arm, to showing it off.

Even with an amazing high tech prosthetic there are still a lot of things that are challenging for me, specifically sports. My parents have always told me to not think of myself as “handicapped” but “handicapable.” They’ve always encouraged me to push myself and adapt, whether it be softball in third grade or swimming in fourth or soccer, running, and climbing in middle school. They believe I can do anything I put my mind to. But positive attitudes and encouraging words could only get me so far, I’ve still faced my fair share of obstacles.

In middle school, I tried playing volleyball

and basketball. (Emphasis on tried.) The kids on the team were helpful and everyone celebrated when I did something right but it never felt like something I was good at. Not only was it a physical struggle for me to dribble the ball across the court or pass the volleyball to a teammate, but I also struggled with overcoming a mental block.

It felt like no matter how hard I tried, my missing arm would always put me at a disadvantage.

I first heard about St. Mary’s shooting team in 8th grade. Unlike my previous attempts at sports, it didn’t seem like such a disadvantage to not have a hand in trapshooting. My dad was stoked to

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PHOTO CREDIT: MARK DEWOLFE

feature from thearticle editor

hear that I was interested in shooting, and on the first day of practice, I took my 28-gauge shotgun and scored a grand total score of zero. Despite the coaches encouragement and the extra shooting practice I would do with my dad on the weekends, I needed all the help I could get. At first, I was lucky to break even one clay. It was a very intense balancing act, between keeping my “nub” in the correct position as well as staying focused, to shoot even a couple shots. Overtime, I learned how to adapt my shooting style to fit my needs and my scores began to improve.

Since I don’t use any assistive devices when I shoot, I use my “nub” to help support the gun all the way back by the trigger guard on the receiver.

Because of my missing arm, supporting the weight of the gun often puts a lot of strain on my body. I have to adjust my stance in order to distribute the weight more evenly, so, compared to other shooters my left shoulder is angled farther forward. My brother Sven also made me a glove that prevents my arm from chaffing. It’s been a continuous process of developing the muscles in my left arm, shoulder, and back but I’ve always had help from my coaches and family.

Many of the coaches I’ve met have been through USA Shooting. Three months into joining St. Mary’s American Trapshooting team, a USA Shooting representative approached my coach at a shooting team fundraiser banquet.

They had heard about my improvement as a shooter and were interested in training me to compete in Bunker Trap in the Paralympics.

Para-rifle and pistol have been Paralympic sports for quite some time but Para-Trap is new to the stage, especially in the US. I was introduced to LadyShooter LifeStyles

two Team USA shooters, Dale Royer and Caitlin Conner, and started the process of being officially “sanctioned” with USA Shooting as a Para-Trap athlete. I would be competing in Para-Trap, the para-adaptation of Olympic Bunker, and was surprised to learn that American and Bunker Trap were two completely different types of shooting.

Bunker Trap, also known as International Trap, is different from American Trap in a lot of ways. But, to make it easy, basically take whatever makes Trap difficult, increase the difficulty, and you have Bunker.

In addition to my regular school shooting practices, I started competing in local competitions and noticed not only how few Paraathletes attended the events but also how few women there were in these competitions. At one of my competitions during the summer of 2020, I shot on a squad with three other women on it. It was a hot day and I was sweating so much that it would get in my eyes. Wearing hats or visors would get in my line of vision and distract me, and I didn’t have any sweat bands on hand (pun intended). One of the women helped me come

up with a solution. We figured out a way to turn my visor upside down so it would work as a headband, keep the sun out, and stay out of my line of sight. I looked pretty silly wearing it but thanked her. “Us ladies gotta stick together.” And on that day, my ladies and I became queens of the trap competition.

Being the only woman, or one of only a few, in a sport is not uncommon, let alone in trapshooting. On the St. Mary’s shooting team, there are only four girls on the team out of the twenty. This one-to-four ratio is pretty representative of a majority of the competitions I’ve attended. Like my outlook on my limb difference, when I go to competitions and see I’m the only female among the shooters, I see it as an opportunity to surprise people with my abilities and be unique.

As I work towards the Para-Trap World Championships in Lenato, Italy in September, and continue to shoot with my high school team, I will also train to compete at a level that wins me a spot on the Junior Olympic team as a regular, able-bodied Bunker shooter. Although I still have a long process of raising support and sponsors for

American vs. Bunker Trap American

Bunker

Speed of Clays

45 mph

74 mph

Angle

22°

45°

Trajectory

Set

Varied

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from thearticle feature editor

Train like a champion, take the hard shots, and leave it all on the field.

-Julia Stallings team USA Bunker Trap travel, training, and all the costs involved with my competitive path moving forward, I am very fortunate to be a pioneer in the sport of ParaTrap. When I think back to where I started, fiveyear-old me never would’ve dreamed I would have done as much as I have today; getting adopted, moving to America, learning English, getting a prosthetic arm, and finding a sense of belonging in the shooting community. Shooting has encouraged me to embrace who I am and it is because of the support of my family, friends, and coaches, that I have been able to develop my skills. What others might see as a disadvantage, like missing an arm or being the only female on the range, I have come to understand it is an opportunity; a chance to overcome the obstacles

life has thrown at me and show off my skills. Just like my parents have always said, I’m not handicapped, I’m handicapable. n

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SEE OUR FULL LINE OF TRAP MACHINES AT MATTARELLIUSA.COM AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY AT

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34 34

from the corner editor coaching

Process Thinking

BY VICKI ASH

Tired of hunkering down?

Maybe it’s time to stop and smell the gunpowder at an OSP Shooting Clinic!

Shoot on over to ospschool.com/classes

for a menu of dates and locations for upcoming renowned OSP Clinics.

281.346.0888 ospschool.com LadyShooter LifeStyles

W

e get this question a lot from students.: I shot great the first day but the second day I crashed and burned. So, what happened to the person who was there the first day?

The first day you were having fun shooting the event with no expectations. Just walking through the course, making a plan and shooting the plan. Your break points were all correct and on top of that, you were committed to breaking the first target of each pair in the correct point, then eyes first, then the gun and the gun went to where your eyes were looking and the target broke. You were focused on the process of shooting—make the plan and shoot the plan.

Your score was a result of making good plans and trusting your hands to put the gun in the right place. All you had to do was just focus on the target and work the plan and you had FUN doing what you had been practicing.

The second day you felt good about your shooting with maybe a little too much expectation of how good you were shooting and that’s when you left the process part of the plan out. You began the round “shooting not to miss” instead

of shooting the break point. You began to feel emotional about the misses and then you began to evaluate your performance which put you in the conscious part of your brain. You have switched from the subconscious brain to the conscious evaluating brain. The more you TRIED to shoot well the worse the round got.

Your rhythm got out of sequence and you began to hurry through the stand. All of a sudden it wasn’t fun anymore. It’s at this point you have to stop and realize what is going on and get back to the PROCESS of shooting the plan which you had practiced and gave you a good performance yesterday.

The process of making the plan and shooting the plan keeps you in the present and the conscious mind has something to occupy itself, then the subconscious brain can take over the shooting part. Both parts must have something to do or you will become conflicted with indecision which means you have taken yourself out of the game.

Stay with the PROCESS of planning then execute the shot.

Let me know if there is anything you want to read about at vicki@ospschool.com n

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from the editor

Shotguns for Women

LadyShooter LifeStyles

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rifle from the editor

Introduction to Rifle

BY SERENA JUCHNOWSKI

A

nnie Oakley – the name assigned nearly every female shooter. I’ve always considered it an honor – both for me as a shooter and homage to the legend herself, who set the stage for females in the outdoors today.

Learning marksmanship is key to success.

Many people miss this integral part, instead confusing the sound of a shot and the recoil of a firearm with “shooting.” New shooters especially become victim to this when introduced by someone who isn’t a true marksman. The focus falls on the sole process of firing the gun rather than on taking accurate shots.

Marksmanship is important because it is critical not only to self-defense but teaches you skills you can carry throughout your life. Think of it as the difference between throwing a bunch of random ingredients together and hoping for the best versus following an actual recipe with an end goal. You may not choose to compete, and that is ok. Becoming a rifleman, or riflewoman, is all about learning about yourself and how to be a more accurate shot while adhering to the basic rules of firearm safety.

It is easier than one might think to get started.

I think rifle shooting is the entry-way to all types of marksmanship. Nearly everyone can handle the minimal recoil of a .22 lr and prior to recently, the ammo was readily available and relatively inexpensive – hopefully we will return to that point again someday. There is also an abundance of competitive disciplines centered around .22 lr rifles including NRL 22, smallbore, silhouette, and rimfire sporter.

The first step is to find a mentor or group dedicated to helping you learn. Contact your local sportsmen’s clubs and associations. Also consult club listings from entities like the Civilian Marksmanship Program and National Rifle Association. It may sound a bit ominous, but there is no better way to learn than by having someone there to teach you and show you

LadyShooter LifeStyles

firsthand. Find someone you can trust. Firearm safety should always be paramount. Many clubs and different disciplines have programs specifically designed for new shooters or even those who are experienced but eager to learn more.

My true first shots were with a rifle. I shot BB guns when I was in elementary school, but lost interest because it was too difficult for me to pump. The beauty of the .22 is the variety of models available that can fit all shapes and sizes.

I never realized until I began competing how

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from the editor rifle

important rifle fit is to success. I learned firearm safety first of all, but then began working on technique. I started in silhouette, moved into high power service rifle, and most recently into long range. I have taken the skills I learned from my first day of shooting in my backyard and built upon them.

Shooting has no report card. Success means different things to different people and at the end of the day is about learning something and remaining safe. One of my mentors defines it as leaving with the same number of holes you arrived with. You learn self-discipline, patience, and self-confidence while honing a skill that you can use for the rest of your life. These skills can be carried over from targets and competition, to self-defense and hunting. For me it is also a connection to history and to being a true American. Learning how to shoot and to shoot well is a fulfilling feeling that is nearly indescribable, and well within reach.

You do not have to rush out and buy anything.

When I began shooting it was with borrowed rifles and equipment. Generally, people in the shooting sports are more than happy to help people along and teach as it is how the sports grow and survive. The unspoken rule is that you do the same for someone else one day. Take the time to learn from the people around you: how to shoot, what type of shooting you enjoy, and what your goals are. There are endless opportunities with a .22 rifle, from the National Rifle League .22 league with a focus on longer distance targets to Olympic style smallbore.

There are opportunities for every comfort

level. Yes, shooting is a male-dominated sport, but more and more women are joining every day. I started shooting as one of two girls on the silhouette range and the only girl on my junior high-power team. It never bothered me and I found that I learned well from my coaches and teammates. For others, it is harder to learn from men. Never be afraid to ask questions. They might seem stupid but do not let anyone make you feel like they are. Many ranges have ladies only groups. Even if it is for a type of shooting you are not interested in, odds are that someone can point you in the right direction.

Another point – women’s bodies are different.

Women are also better shooters than men on average. Don’t let this go to your head, but

remember that you have the ability, you just need to find the right tools and methods. If shooting from the offhand position, you can balance off of your hip, an advantage most male shooters greatly envy. We are also generally more flexible.

Smaller hands mean that the gun that works for your son, father, or husband might not work for you.

At the end of the day, you can too be your own version of Annie Oakley by becoming a better markswoman. This is a journey not for anyone else, but for you. Competitive forms of rifle shooting allow you to compete against other people, but at the end of the day, you are really only trying to do better than you did the time before. Do not beat yourself up over bad scores or become discouraged because something isn’t working. Embrace the fact that you are entering an entirely new world with a host of women around the world willing to help you find the best version of yourself. n Serena lives in Richfield, Ohio with her time spent working as an outdoor writer, photographer, and marketer. She is a Distinguished Rifleman in High Power Service Rifle and a member of the United States U25 Young Eagles Palma team. You can contact her at serenajuchnowski.com.

@Serena Juchnowski serenajuchnowski

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leading ladies from the editor

Leading Ladies r--9--r

Fashion Edition

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from theladies leading editor

Amber Haynes

CEO, McKenna Quinn

I

first met Amber Haynes, owner and designer of McKenna Quinn, during a fashion show put on by Houston’s finest outdoor shop, Gordy & Sons. She was quiet yet decisive as she helped us, the models, choose outfits and pair her beautiful designs with other designs, making the most beautiful shooting outfits I had ever seen, or rather had only seen on British people. I had never heard of McKenna Quinn but was immediately enamored with the comfortable and fitted shooting shirts a lot of us were modeling. This was in September of 2017, just months after Amber had debuted her designs to the outdoor world at the Dallas Safari Club Convention in January. The exponential growth

and demand for her designs clearly shows the need for innovation for women’s gear in our shooting community. Since then, I have seen her designs on women in the shooting community all over the world. I recently had the chance to sit down and have some coffee with Amber and discuss how McKenna Quinn came to be.

As a single mother of two beautiful girls, Piper, 11, and Addy, 10, Amber has managed to turn a simple yet elegant idea into a thriving business. Having grown up with a close-knit family in the heart of Texas, daughter herself to an oil & gas man, Amber was happily working for her father’s company when it all began. It is through this Texas spirit that Amber is committed

to not only providing quality goods, but also supporting local American businesses. All of her clothing is made in the great state of Texas.

Amber had no experience sewing or wholesale retail, nothing. So how did she do it?

“My dad and I started quail hunting quite a bit more often together, we had these beautiful shotguns, and these beautiful dogs, and quail hunting is always been such a pretty thing for me, but I always felt that I was dressed for the bowling alley, there was nothing I could find that fit me.”

This was the moment that changed the direction of her life. It amazes me how one moment, one thought, one idea can change everything.

So, she decided, “Let me try and make a shirt.

At first, I thought maybe I’ll make one for me and a couple of my friends and it wouldn’t go beyond that. I worked with a company and we designed a shooting shirt. Right as we got the samples ready, a girlfriend of mine had a booth space at the Dallas Safari Club Convention in 2017, she said why don’t you bring some samples, they sold like crazy, so that was it.”

The shirts went into full blown production and McKenna Quinn took off. As they went into production, she got a call from Gordy & Sons.

They were opening up a new store in Houston, Texas and they wanted to talk to her about carrying her “line” at the time she didn’t have a line… she had one shirt. Fast forward to four years later, she has five different stores around the US and just started working with a store in the UK! What makes her shooting shirts the go-to choice for a long list of shooting world celebrities LadyShooter LifeStyles

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including: Rachel Carrie, The Fausti Sisters, and Olympian, Kayle Browning? It’s the design of course. It isn’t just a good-looking shirt. It’s a great-looking shirt you can actually shoot in. “I grew up horseback riding so that movement is kind of similar, I wanted a shirt that looked nice, fitted well, but also provided for movement. If you look at the shirt there is a lot of seaming across the arms and the sides so as you’re bringing the gun up its not keeping you back in any way.

That’s something that’s always been really important to me.” Amber recalls the memories of her childhood and the beginning of her career in fashion and outfitting fondly.

Pants came the second year, and so on it has grown to include scarves, belts, shooting vests, and even beanies. Everything that comes out Amber designs, and then hunts in it for a season before releasing it to the public. “I am constantly pulling new samples of fabrics and then trying to see if I can make what I want to make out of it. I try to add two to three pieces every season, right now I’ve got a jacket that I am working on, a new round of sweaters and a new short sleeve shirt. It should be a cross between our long sleeve shirt and our fishing shirt so that it’s really lightweight and short sleeve, and you can tuck it in, or leave it out.” Enthusiasm radiated from her smile as she said this. “I am always calling in my local friends, like Catherine Kruse, to test out products when they go out hunting too. “ Amber’s passion and commitment to growing shooting sports is a top priority for her as well.

“One thing that I am trying to grow is having women’s hunting opportunities so that’s been LadyShooter LifeStyles

leading ladies from the editor

something I didn’t expect McKenna Quinn to have a platform for, but it definitely does, I want to make sure that I am providing as many opportunities for women to come out and learn to hunt.” Amber has been putting together hunts where the participants get outfitted by McKenna Quinn, and learn, and do the activity, and share in the beauty of nature together. All levels of experience are always welcome.

“When I first started, I had so many women say I don’t want to go because I’m already not sure of what I am doing so I don’t want to show up and look unprepared, so if I at least look prepared, then I am a little

more confident to try it” Some growing women that she hopes will join her on these adventures are her daughters who are just now starting to fit into her clothes. “They are getting into it more now that they are older and can shoot and participate.”

As for the state of her business due to the unfortunate pandemic we are facing, well…

“When COVID-19 first started everything froze, I thought it was a sign that this was it for me, that I would be making my exit. Then in the middle of June/middle of July it started to pick up, and then my sales went up over 30% of last year. I’ve been on the good side of it, more people are staying home and looking for things to do locally, so they are going out hunting and shooting around Texas more, so my sales have actually increased which is wonderful.”

With sales booming and outdoor activities drawing in the masses, the success of this small business seems to have no end in sight. Please, check out her website and look for opportunities to participate in one of her events where I have no doubt you will have fun, and look good doing it! www.shopmckennaquinn.com

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from theladies leading editor

Mary Dixon

CEO, Primer & Co.

I

was first introduced Primer & Co. during an event where her scrunchies, aka “gunchies”, were included in the swag bag. I was immediately intrigued and found out that Primer & Co. had way more to offer than a gunchie. It turned out I was destined to meet the creator behind Primer & Co. during my first 3gun match which I documented in the Jan/Feb edition of Lady Shooter Lifestyles. Mary Dixon, the creative genius behind Primer & Co., actually shot on my squad. Mary was not only completely polite and almost shy, but she impressed me with her ability to transform from the girl next door from Dayton, Ohio, into the gun toting beast that turned on at the beep of the timer. I didn’t want to bug her for an interview during a competition but I did get the chance to catch up and ask her everything I had been wondering over the phone not long ago. Inspiration abounded.

Mary Dixon studied to be a graphic designer.

This may seem like the obvious reason and connection she needed to start Primer & Co. However, the primer, pun intended, was the need for a cute shirt that low-key showed her support for firearms but didn’t scream out at liberals, let’s fight about this issue, rather a spark in conversation. In fact, that is the motto at Primer & Co. – Spark a conversation. As a mother to three children, all evenly spaced out two years apart, six, four, and two, Mary found herself feeling more comfortable homeschooling her children and being present for them rather than sending them to a childcare facility. After the first child, Mary quit her job as a graphic designer

and stayed home. Her husband began competing in 3Gun competitions in 2014 and Mary enjoyed supporting her husband. Having grown up with a dad who was an avid hunter she had always enjoyed being around firearms. When her husband encouraged her to give 3Gun a try as an idea for a “date”, she jumped at the opportunity, especially because at the time they only had one child. Her first competition was a cold day, so cold that her fingers froze. This did not deter her from falling in love with the sport. As her family has grown from one to three children, her opportunities to shoot have waivered because it is not easy to find a sitter for three kids she explained.

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leading ladies from the editor

To Raise Communists” and I can’t tell you how many people have loved and laughed at it.

Because it’s true. Her designs are not just for women, she also has a full line of men’s clothing, and accessories for women including ponytail hats and headbands. Be sure to check out her website for more information on her designs. www.primerandco.com

Fast forward to June of 2019 when the need for a cute shirt sparked her creativity and her first shirt came to life. With borrowed equipment, a Cricut® from a friend and a heat press from Amazon, she put together her first design “Coffee, Guns & Messy Buns”. She immediately got a glowing reception from friends and ladies she shot with. Next, she designed “On Wednesdays We Plink”, a creative play on words from the ever popular Mean Girls, a movie that ruled girl culture in the early 2000s. Her next design is also the one that is most dear to her heart. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” which is the motto of the United States: Out of Many, One. Her creativity flows easily because her husband is always available for her to brainstorm with. Her most recent creation is basically genius. She created a sticker that pretty much embodies the feelings all of us “gun people” are experiencing lately…

“No. I don’t know where to buy ammo.”

Mary Dixon is my favorite kind of business owner. She took an idea and ran with it. It started out as something for herself and organically grew because it was just that cool. As a small business owner, and sort of accidental business owner, Mary has really given us what she wanted. A LadyShooter LifeStyles

primer. Her designs are truly a great way to spark a conversation about firearms in a safe and nonintimidating way. I personally have one of her designs that says “Just An Ordinary Mom Trying Not

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from theladies leading editor

Kirstie Pike CEO, Prois

K

irstie Pike – Prowess, process and animal spirits Please welcome Kirstie Pike to this series of Leading Ladies.

Kirstie is the owner of the Prois, a woman’s technical hunting apparel company based in Gunnison, CO. Like many of the world’s best ideas, Prois was born of necessity. Join us as we learn about the what, the why and the how for this amazing company and the even more incredible woman behind it.

A career RN with two toddlers and a husband, hunting was rather low on the priority

for Kirstie. One day, her husband (who was also a guide), convinced her to give hunting a try. At first light in borrowed camo, a cow elk was harvested and a passion was born.

Shortly after that, Kirstie decided to take up archery hunting. After an extremely disappointing trip to a local box store, she decided there was a void to be filled. At that time, there was performance gear for women hiking, biking, running, skiing or climbing. Why not hunting?

In 2008, Prois was born. What began as a necessity for Kirstie’s passion for hunting grew into a go-to gear destination for women around

the world. From bird hunting in the Midwest to chasing Ibex in Kazakhstan, Prois is there. That’s actually in line with one of the company hashtags! #proiswasthere The gear is performance focused and purpose built. The community that is Prois is what truly sets Kirstie and her company apart. There is a culture, an essence and a sisterhood surrounding Prois that is led and perpetuated by Kirstie. It is a community of women focused on not only being their best selves, but straightening the crown (or in this case, the camo beanie) of the woman beside her. This culture is a direct reflection of Kirstie’s approach to her company as well as her intense passion for creating effective performance hunting gear for the female hunter.

So, why Prois? The word has a few meanings and they embody the product and the person.

Prowess – Prois is made by strong women to help strengthen women. A hunt is so much more than an animal at the end. It’s a journey, an adventure and a challenge.

Process – Kirstie saw a need for a product and created a process. She created an outstanding full spectrum line of women’s performance hunting gear.

Animal spirit – As an intense lover of nature and an avid outdoorswoman, Kirstie’s focus began there and evolved to include the hunt and the harvest. Today, she is a leader not only in the design and production of purpose-built hunting gear, but a true icon in the hunting world – male or female.

That’s the Linked In version. Here’s the unicorn magic that makes the magic of Prois look LadyShooter LifeStyles

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leading ladies from the editor

learning comes more from mistakes and difficulties, rather than a good plan.”

Kirstie, on behalf of women around the world, thanks for creating an incredible product and an amazing community of female hunters.

Keep doing great things, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!

Check out Prois today and drop Kirstie a line! n www.proishunting.com

like that mythical mono-horned creature. As an ER nurse with no business, manufacturing, merchandising or design knowledge, Kirstie started sketching designs for clothes she didn’t know how to produce, distribute or sell. And yet, she learned.

She learned that producing Stateside is hard – but she found a way. She learned about UPC codes and RN numbers. She learned that being a small, low-volume, niche-driven company makes it hard to convince manufacturers to take a chance on you. She learned how to survive (temporarily) on no sleep while she raised two daughters, put in shifts at the hospital and scoured the internet for production sources and distributors.

In true Kirstie style, Prois made its debut at the largest outdoor industry show – SHOT Show.

With a horse trailer of naked mannequins, bins

LadyShooter LifeStyles

of clothing and random living room furniture, Prois took the plunge into the show circuit – and never looked back.

The timing was perfect. Women were entering the hunting world at a furious rate and desperately needed clothing/gear that fit. Prois had a product, a process and a leader passionate about outfitting the female hunter.

I have had the privilege of being in camp with Kirstie a few times now. Something she mentioned last time we spoke really told the story of business ownership – “I’d love to weave you a story about well thought out success. But, after 13 years in business, I can tell you that the

Please tune in for our next installment of Leading Ladies: The Olympic Version. We’ll be visiting with Amber English, Kayle Browning and Julia Stallings.

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from the editor

IT’S TIME TO SHOW WHO WE REALLY ARE.

Gun owners care about the safety, preventing unauthorized access to firearms, bettering communities, helping those in need and conserving wildlife and wild places for generations to come.

You won’t hear these positive stories about real gun owners and pro-gun advocates in the mainstream media. In fact, you’re more likely to see insulting messages that try to shun or even shame gun owners due to some heinous acts of criminals. It’s time for gun owners to tell their stories, to show how we’re making a difference, to show that we don’t fit under one identity and to keep others accountable for trying to villainize lawful gun owners.

We’re calling on all gun owners to join us.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT, WE CAN DO THIS — TOGETHER.

GunOwnersCare.org

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The Huntress A chic spin on a timeless traditionfor the woman who never compromises on fashion.

GET THE LOOK: Quilted Shooting Vest, $90, krsaddleshop.com| Cashmere Orange Tartan Scarf, $18.04, amazon.com | Mid-Rise Cargo Pant, $89.99, kevinscatalog.com | Langdale Waterproof Boots, $229.95, ariat.com | X Leather Belt, $129, kevinscatalog.com | Elk Ivory Ring, $305, peggyhouchin.com | Handmade Pheasant Feather Brooch with Shot Cartridge, $5.66, etsy.com | CZ Redhead All Terrain 12g 30”, $1159, czusa.com |

LadyShooter LifeStyles

fashion corner

fashion corner

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Sporting Clays Cute, Comfy and Clay Worthy!

GET THE LOOK: Quilted Thermal Vest with Stand Up Collar, $116, gastonglockstyle.eu | High Rise Leggings, $98, shop.lululemon.com | Go Forth Hat, $29.99, agirlandagun.org | Radians Low Set Safety Glasses, $14.99, gungoddess.com | Beretta Shooting Shoes 490, $195, estore.beretta.com | White Buffalo Ring, $185, peggyhouchin.com | Syren L4S Sporting 12g 30”, $1990, syrenusa.com |

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Range Apparel Staying within range of your budget without compromising looking fierce

GET THE LOOK: Concealed Carry Original Leggings, $89.99, undertechundercover.com | Firearm Female Crew Neck Tee, $25, primerandco.com | Waterproof Single Shot Belt, $55, overunderclothing.com | Half Vest Range Vest, $49.99, gwgclothing.com | Revolver Necklace, $49, gungoddess.com | Small Revolver Sterling Earrings, $75, peggyhouchin.com | Sig Sauer P238 Purple Luster, pre-owned, $779, libertygunstore.com | Pistol Twist Headband, $12, primerandco.com | Gold Foil Pistol Case, $9.99, gwgclothing.com | Rush MOABTM 6 Sling Pack 11L, $69.99, 511tactical.com |

LadyShooter LifeStyles

fashion from the corner editor

from thecorner editor fashion

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On the Hunt for...

The Perfect Outfit for the Camp or the Field GET THE LOOK: Kevin’s Huntress Stretch Briar Pant, $149, kevinscatalog.com | Laksen Ladies Hen Cotton Shirt, £69.95, onthepegclothing.co.uk | Diana Cobalt Blue Double Sided Belt, £85, howesandwayko.com | Le Chameau Veirzon Jersey Ladies Fit, £150, onthepegclothing.co.uk | Bottomlands Riggers Tote, $245, overunderclothing.com | 20 Gauge Leather Tassel Shotgun Necklace, $29.95, bulletdesigns.com | Browning 22 Caliber Stud Earrings, $24.95, bulletdesigns.com | 40 Caliber Bronze Hammered Link Bracelet, $29.95, thewellarmedwoman.com | Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus Max 5, $1900, beretta.com | MacWet Short Climatec Sports Gloves, £32.99, macwet.com Ladies Wrist Warmers, £21.50, houseofcheviot.com | Elk Ivory & Elk Casting Ring, $425 custom order, peggyhouchin.com | Brielle Scarf, £30, howesandwayko.com |

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HEALTH

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from the editor yoga for shooters

Head, Shoulders, Knees & Toes A COMPLETE UPPER BODY STRETCH

BY MICHELLE MILES

W

elcome back to Yoga for Shooters. If you don’t already know, my name is Michelle Miles. I am the health and wellness editor for Lady Shooter Lifestyles, and I run a Health & Wellness business called Lifestyle of Alignment. I believe that aligning not only your body, but also your mind and spirit are the key to living a happy and healthy life. I’m an experienced yoga instructor and specialize in injury prevention through supporting a healthy spine. As a sporting clays competitor and shotgun coach, I chose these stretches specifically designed for fellow outdoorsmen and women who regularly have muscle tension in the upper back, neck, and shoulders. Though muscle tension is common in these areas, the benefits of releasing that tension might not be so common. That’s what I’m here for, to tell you WHY you will want to keep reading. Muscle tension in the upper body restricts blood flow to your eyes, resulting in vision problems and headaches. Ever wonder why some days targets seem blurry? You may be drinking enough water, getting plenty of rest, but let’s be real, you aren’t stretching enough, or at all. Let’s start now together now! You can even do these stretches while out at the gun club. I have described seated and standing options for immediate relief so, there are no excuses to do something beneficial your body.

Remember, the stretches are described starting with the right-side body, but always repeat on the left side body as well. What you do to one side, must be done to the other side in order to maintain body balance.

LadyShooter LifeStyles

I. Front Shoulder & Pectoral Stretch

Opening the chest and shoulder muscles will release tons of tension! You may even feel a release in the neck muscles here, which can help with vision and overall focus. Shot recoil creates tension in these areas, so you may find the targets become clearer as you stretch and release the chest, neck, and shoulders. Creating mobility and strength allows the spine to stay in place. Tight muscles can pull and tug on the spine causing all sorts of issues for different body systems. Our entire health starts with a healthy spine so be sure to strengthen and stretch, focusing on extra tight or overworked areas.

I. Option 1

Option 1- Laying Down: Lay on belly. Extend right arm out, in line with shoulder and palm to the floor. Look away from the extended arm by placing your right temple on the ground. Bend the left knee and gently roll over to your right side, sending the left hip up to sky and placing your left hand in front of chest. Place the left foot on the ground behind your right-side body. Think about flattening the right hand completely and gently pushing into the pinky side of the hand keeping the shoulder down away from the ears.

Hold for 10 cycles of breath. The inhale and exhale are one cycle.

For a deeper stretch, do this exact same stretch with a bend right elbow creating a 90-degree shape instead of straight arm. As you roll over that right shoulder, lift the left

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from for yoga the shooters editor

I. Option 2

overhead bend at the elbow. Reach the left arm behind the back and grab the remaining towel. Give it a tug by pulling the left hand down to stretch the right triceps and shoulder.

This modification can be helpful to improve the stretch by slowly closing the gap between the hands.

Variation (Ultimate Goal) Bind the hands together behind you. If the right elbow is to the sky, keep it towards the head and in line with the shoulder. Focus on sitting up tall leaning back gently to assist in proper form.

III Option 1

III. Eagle Arms

This stretch improves mobility and circulation. You can use a towel to deepen the stretch.

Reach right arm above you and bend elbow, palm reaching down the back. Grab the right elbow with the left hand bringing it close to the head stacking the right elbow above right shoulder. Lean back into right arm. Sit or stand up tall, keeping head lifted, and chest open.

Grab the towel with the right arm, as you bring it

This stretch focuses on centering clearing vision by oxygenating the body. This is a full upper body stretch. Eagle Arms enhances finger, wrist, and arm mobility while stretching and strengthening biceps, triceps, and shoulders. This pose is a shooters best friend! It can take time to build this shape so start with these variations.

Option 1 – Sitting: Cross the elbows, right over left, giving yourself a hug. Stack the spine and lean back slightly, keeping back straight. Lift elbows in line with sternum. Draw shoulders down your back and together towards the midline of the body. Stay there if that’s enough. Play with tucking chin towards the chest on exhales and looking up to the sky on inhales. Move slowly with the breath.

Option 2- (Standing or Sitting): Give yourself a hug right arm crossed over left. Keep elbows together and lift hands up bringing top of forearms towards one another.

Grab the right thumb with left fingers OR bring the palms together (left fingertips into the right palm.) Keeping the bind, lift palms and elbows up. Press hands away from your face. Draw the shoulder blades together and down your back. Leaning back slightly broadening your chest. It will feel like an opposition here as you activate different parts of the arms and shoulders. Be sure to draw the naval toward the spine keeping the core engaged protecting the back.

II.

II with towel

hip to the sky and bring the left arm: to the low back, reach it high to the sky, or just keep left hand on the earth helping to stabilize the stretch.

Option 2-Standing: Find a door way, pole, or tree as a prop. Stand next to your prop and bring the right arm to the prop placing the arm at 90 degrees. Stack wrist above elbow, and elbow in line with shoulder. Gently lean forward with the body. Hold this chest and shoulder stretch for abou1 minute each side. Adjust as needed and breathe deeply imagining the tight muscles softening.

For a deeper stretch, begin to turn away from the prop and bent arm. Do this also with a straight arm.

II. Triceps Stretch

III Option 2

Hold each side for 10 breathes, and remember each side will feel different so do what you can without judging yourself. Be curious with how long you can relax in to each pose finding ease and deep breathes.

II variation

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yoga forthe shooters from editor

IV Option 1

IV. Extended Puppy Pose:

This pose stretches and opens the middle back and shoulders calming the mind and cultivating awareness of breath. For a more restful position feel free to use a bolster or rolled up blanket between the hamstrings and calves. Or better yet do this standing while on the shooting course if needed Option 1 - On the Ground: Come to a tabletop position on hands and knees to start. Keep the knees directly under the hips and tuck the bottoms of the toes to the floor for more stability. With core engaged, walk to the hands out in front of you and start to lower the chest toward to floor.

The ankles, knees, to hips will make a 90-degree shape.

Forehead lowers to the floor or a block, as the armpits open,

IV Option 2 LadyShooter LifeStyles

curving the middle back, it may be helpful to come on the finger tips keeping the elbows off the floor and activating the arms for support.

Modification – From a table top position sit the hips back slightly on a rolled-up blanket or bolster. Walk the hands out flat on the floor creating 45-degree angle from hips to knees to ankles. The blanket which is under the back of the thighs and on top of the calves will give you support and take pressure off the shoulders and upper cervical spine while you sit back on it gently.

Option 2 - Standing: Grab a tree, place hands to a wall, or any other surface you choose. Walk feet back, keep hips above ankles and lower chest towards the ground.

Allow the armpits to open and keep neck neutral. n

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from the initiatives industry editor

To Honor and Elevate THE MISSION OF THE WINCHESTER LADIES CUP

BY ANDREA BOGARD

T

he last several years have brought women into the shooting sports in droves. Competitive sporting clays is no different. What is somewhat different is the large disparity between the cash payouts for men’s events versus women’s events.

Winchester President, Brett Flaugher, noticed this gap and wanted to learn more. He reached out to Winchester-sponsored sporting clay shooter Desirae Edmunds, and she confirmed his observations – the women’s events received significantly less in cash winnings when compared to the corresponding men’s events.

In the world of competitive professional sports, this is extremely common. However, just because something is the status quo, doesn’t mean it should remain as such. Flaugher wanted to find a way to “elevate the importance of women participating in the shooting sports.”

His solution—the Winchester Ladies Cup—a remarkable initiative rooted in creating a tidal change within the sporting clays world that directly impacts lady competitors.

About the Ladies Cup: Winchester is proud to present the Winchester Ladies Cup, a new season-long competition for female shooters on the National Sporting Clays Association Championship Tour, powered by Winchester. The Winchester Ladies Cup strives to bring equality to women shooters by increasing payouts at regional events and by offering an award at the end of the season to the top three female shooters.

The Winchester Ladies Cup is more than a monetary equalizer according to President Brett Flaugher. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the women who continue to work hard in promoting target shooting as well as recruiting new participants to the sporting clays competitions like

the NSCA Championship Tour, Powered by Winchester.

When asked about the long-term goal behind the Winchester Ladies Cup, Flaugher’s response was simple: to perpetuate and grow the sport.

On behalf of the thousands of lady shooters across the U.S., thank you Winchester and Brett Flaugher for developing this initiative and acknowledging the critical role of the competitive lady shooter in the growth of the shooting sports.

Follow the Winchester Ladies Cup this season at the seven regional events! n

At the end of the season, the top three female shooters will receive a combined $10,000 payout including: n $5,000 for the Winchester Ladies Cup Champion n $3,000 for Runner-Up n $2,000 for Third Place

At all seven regional events, Winchester will add $5,000 to the total purse,including an additional: n $2,500 for All-Around Champion n $1,500 for Runner-Up n $1,000 for Third Place 2021 NSCA CHAMPIONSHIP TOUR, POWERED BY WINCHESTER WINCHESTER LADIES CUP LOCATIONS, DATES AND PAYOUTS EVENT DATE EVENT & LOCATION APRIL 7-11 WESTERN REGIONAL

PINNACLE AT BEN AVERY (AZ)

APRIL 28 - MAY 2 SOUTHEAST REGIONAL

THE MEADOWS GUN CLUB (GA)

MAY 19-23 NORTHEAST REGIONAL

M&M SPORTING CLAYS (NJ) JUNE 7-13 U.S. OPEN

CLAYTHORNE LODGE (KS) AUGUST 11-15 NORTH CENTRAL REGIONAL

GAME UNLIMITED (WI) SEPTEMBER 22-25 SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL

COVEY RISE LODGE (LA) OCTOBER 22-31 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

NATIONAL SHOOTING COMPLEX (TX)

PAYOUT KAREN SHEDD $2500 DESIRAE EDMUNDS $1500 HAYLYN HANKS $1000 MADISON SHARPE $2500 ANNABELLE AYRES $1500 KAREN SHEDD $1000 $5000 $5000 $5000 $5000 $5000 + END OF SEASON $10000 LadyShooter LifeStyles

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from thearchery editor

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from the editor archery

Archery 101 ANDREA BOGARD SAYS FOLLOW YOUR ARROW…

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s a lady shooter, shooting is part of your lifestyle. Up until now, you may have confined your focus to things that go “bang.” There is also a big, beautiful expanse of things that go “thwack.”

Welcome to the wonderful world of archery!

So, you followed your arrow here. What is archery? Whether your brain heads straight to Cupid or thoughts of combing the American West in search of arrowheads, you are on the right track. The first bows and arrows were invented in the Middle Ages in Europe. Archery was actually referred to as “toxophilus,” meaning “the love of the bow” in Greek.

What’s a bow? A bow, in its simplest form, is a stick or shaft with flexion in the limbs that store mechanical energy. This energy is provided by the shooter pulling or drawing a string that attaches to both limbs. Once the string is drawn back and the energy is residing in the limbs, the string is released propelling a projectile forward at an increased speed due to the energy storage process.

While bows have come a long way, technologically speaking, the principles have remained essentially the same. Today we’re doing to look at a few different categories of bows, what they are, what they’re used for and how to get started.

feathers on the end opposite the point? Have you ever played Lawn Jarts? If yes, then you have a fundamental grasp of why there are feathers on arrows. Balance, twist, stability and tracking.

Today, we can use feathers or synthetic pieces that look like feathers. Both feathers and their synthetic counterparts are called “fletches.” If you are fletching your arrows, that means you are adding feathers or other material to the ends.

Compound Bow We have now arrived at the modern archery construct. Instead of a simple string tied to limbs, the compound bow uses a system of cables and pulleys to create and store exponentially greater amounts of energy when compared to the more primitive methods.

Cross Bow

Recurve Bow The recurve is a step up from the long bow, energetically speaking. The recurve has limbs that curve away from archer when the string is removed. It stores more energy and thus equates to more speed. The recurve was a good option when a long bow was cumbersome in length/size based on terrain or intended purpose.

This is a bow constructed perpendicular to a traditional bow and affixed to a stock. These have gained immense popularity in recent years with people wanting the bow hunting experience, but are physically or skillfully unable to ethically hunt with any of the aforementioned methods.

Additionally, they have gained momentum as a good alternative to a compound bow in hunting situations not conducive to a more traditional format.

Cross Bows

Long Bow The long bow was the weapon of choice for English armies beginning in the 14th century. This changed dramatically following the advent of gun powder. It’s long, drawn by hand and shoots a long feathered arrow.

This brings up an interesting point, why feathers? Have you ever noticed that arrows have

Long Bow

Recurve Bow

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So, we’ve got the basic types covered. A moment ago we touched on arrows. An arrow has a few basic components you should be familiar with.

Shaft – this is the long skinny part. It can be made of aluminum, carbon or a combination of the two.

Nock – this is the small, colored plastic piece on the end opposite the tip. It has a notch in it that clips on to the string to keep it attached.

Field tip – this is a dull, blunter shaped tip screwed into the end of the shaft opposite the nock and is used for practice. You don’t hunt with these.

Broadhead – the broadhead is a sharp, multiblade head that screws into the end in place of the field tip. These can be fixed blade (the blades don’t move) or mechanical (the blades deploy upon impact with their intended target).

Now you know a little about the different types of bows and the basic process of archery.

There is a lot more depth to be explored on the technical side, but for now, we’re going to look at some different ways you can engage in the amazing hobby that is archery.

You can start anywhere along the continuum listed above. Is it a long bow in the backyard shooting at a hay bale? Or, is it a journey to the local archery shop to get a compound and joint a shooting league? Archery, like other sports, has pro shops, instructors, leagues and goodies galore.

Do you want to hunt? Shoot in a 3-D league (think sporting clays, but with a bow!)? Learn

LadyShooter LifeStyles

from thearchery editor

Shaft

Nock

Field Tip

Broadhead

horse-back mounted archery (yes, that’s a thing!)?

Shoot paper targets? Bow fish? There are tons of options when it comes to the bow. So, for the “love of the bow,” follow your arrow and try something new!

Check back as we look at bows, accessories, gear, archery clubs and what to look for in a pro shop! n

#followyourarrow

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places from the editor

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places from the editor

Meemo’s Farm THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION FOR THE LADY SHOOTER SAYS ANDREA BOGARD

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re you looking for that perfect girls getaway? A romantic adventure? A family vacation? Or, simply a place to go recharge the soul, then check out Meemo’s Farm in Evart, Michigan.

The first question you’ll ask yourself as you drive along the quiet gravel road is “Are we lost?”

Don’t worry, your GPS is correct. You are in fact about to embark on a wonderful journey of sporting hospitality free from the chaos of normal life.

Come along as we explore the diverse and wonderful destination of Meemo’s Farm!

Are you a sporting clays shooter? Then check out the beautifully designed 13-station clays course set in the rolling hills of Michigan. If you’re looking for a warm-up, they offer skeet, trap and 5-stand courses all set within the lush landscape.

Do you prefer live birds? Then look no further. Meemo’s brings the fine English tradition of the Tower Hunt to Michigan. In addition,

they offer walk-up pheasant and chukar hunts throughout the year. The season runs August 15th through April 30th.

A word here about the walk-up fields. Many walk-up hunt destinations feature bland landscape and minimal cover. Meemo’s boasts a variety of topography, foliage and cover. From mixed hardwoods and sorghum to corn and conifers, the rolling hills and expansive fields create a visually intriguing hunting experience.

Are you a pistol/rifle shooter? Meemo’s has

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Meemo’s Farm offers a magnificent sunken indoor spa, authentic sauna and therapeutic massage services.

With top-notch amenities and activities, the food and hospitality have a high bar to meet.

And meet it they do. From the moment you walk in the door of the main lodge, your every need is met with a smile and a “yes!”

The chefs create magnificent meals that blend iconic regional dishes with elegant artistry. All is prepared with creativity and care and served with a spirit of welcome.

fun to be had in that arena, as well! Come enjoy rifle targets from 100 to 600 yards. You may bring your own firearms or shoot the Farm’s.

The rifle package includes a range of calibers from 22-250 to 50 cal. The pistol range is composed of discipline appropriate distances and can be shot with .22 to 50 cal.

Let’s change gears a bit. In addition to the shooting and hunting activities, Meemo’s is a marvelous recreational destination. You can rent 4-wheelers and snowmobiles, go canoeing or kayaking, check out the ropes course, ski or hike the onsite nature trails or wet a line in one of the numerous ponds on the property.

After long days of fun outside, what better way to relax than with a spa experience!

For many, the goal of a getaway is rest for the body, soul and spirit. The accommodations at Meemo’s Farm offer something for everyone. Are you looking for a romantic and quiet escape?

Then look no further than the Lake Cottage.

Nestled alone beside a beautiful lake, enjoy the peace and serenity of your own private firepit, outdoor hot tub and covered front porch.

Do you want a family vacation or group getaway? Then check out the Lanes. It has a real bowling alley, complete with everything you need to outfit your crew with shoes and bowling balls of various sizes.

In addition to the Lake Cottage and the Lanes, the Annex, the main lodge and the new Pecks Lakehouse all can house various group sizes. These are great for larger groups and events! Meemo’s can help you define the best LadyShooter LifeStyles

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lodging option for your group size and desired goals.

Meemo’s Farm in Evart, MI is the ultimate sporting destination for the lady shooter.

Whether a clays shooter, hunter or overall outdoor enthusiast, Meemo’s is the premier oasis to recharge and revitalize. Once you visit, you’ll find yourself coming back year after year.

Contact them today for availability and booking information! n meemosfarm.com 12081 3 Mile, Evart, MI 49631 (231) 734-9066

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MEEMO’S FARM

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from the inspire editor

Macy Strong O

n February 21, 2020, before the world knew that life would be forever changed, Macy Ledet’s entire world changed in a way we can only pretend to empathize with. Macy and her two children, Cullen and Fiona, were driving in her car like it was any other normal night until IT happened. IT is the moment that forever changed the course and purpose of Macy’s life here on earth from that moment forward. A horrific car accident left Macy paralyzed from the chest down. Don’t worry, this story has as happy of an “ending” as far as anyone could have ever imagined. This is the Story of Macy Strong, a different kind of strong.

I first met Macy when she drove all the way to the Greater Houston Gun Club from Houma, Louisiana, to shoot in the Houston Safari Club Tournament. She drove right back when we finished shooting because she is a bad ass lawyer and had work to do. I had been asked by Haley Satterwhite-Day if I knew of any other girls that would be interested in joining our all-ladies squad. I didn’t know Macy yet, but I had seen her on her boyfriend’s (Hayes Garrett) social media and she just seemed fun. Long story short, we had

Natalia Gonzalez, Holly Patton, Haley Satterwhite-Day, and Macy Ledet at the Houston Safari Club Tournament, 2019 LadyShooter LifeStyles

the absolute best time. Even from this first get together, I knew she was a strong lady. Macy is a full-time lawyer and a single mom. She has impeccable taste in fashion and in people and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She is a no-nonsense, straight shooter and performs extremely well under pressure. I was so impressed by her that I genuinely asked if I could come to Louisiana and see her do her lawyering in court one day. I love to argue and have always been told that I should have been a lawyer, and if I was a lawyer, Macy would be my Kim Rhode.

We followed each other on social media and became instant friends. Macy was always posting videos of working out, life with family, and busy work happenings. Social media was how we stayed in contact as has become the new normal in society. It comes as no surprise that it was through social media that I was made aware of IT. Hours after the accident, Hayes began to post on social media asking for prayers but not giving any specifics. Then the story started to come to life as he came to the realization that Macy, the woman he dearly loved and was planning on spending his life with, might never be the same.

Over the course of the next few days, Macy began to share what had happened. It was obvious that she had begun the mourning process of the death of her old life and the acceptance process of the beginning of her new life, almost immediately. This right here speaks to her character. Macy did not waste time “crying over spilled milk” as they say. Don’t get me wrong, Macy will be the first one to tell you that it has been beyond imaginably hard, that she has cried countless tears and still does regularly. At first, she even wished that the accident had just taken her life instead of her mobility. She mistakenly thought that she was no good for her children in this state and they would be better off without her.

“I had nothing to offer them—I was told I had no hope,” Macy says. Thankfully, this thought faded as quickly as it had entered her mind. Her overwhelming, never-ending love for her children

A DIFFERENT KIND OF STRONG

BY NATALIA GONZALEZ

gave her all the motivation she needed to fight.

Macy was released from the hospital on June 17th, 2020, with a diagnosis of incomplete quadriplegic, with little to no hope to change those circumstances—that is, without additional surgeries. During her five months in the hospital, the world turned upside down with a pandemic and she was not allowed to see her children.

Throughout her journey of learning to live life in a wheelchair, she shared stories on social media thanking everyone for their love and support, showing her progress, and her unwavering joy.

That’s right, I said joy. Macy was able to find joy in the knowledge and security that she was incredibly blessed not only to still be alive, but that her children suffered no more than broken arms in the accident, at least physically. Mentally, the accident has taken a toll on everyone in the family including her parents and sisters. Even I struggled with the reality of what was happening to my friend, this incredibly strong woman with a raspy voice and a streetwise sense of self that made me certain I never wanted to cross her. I found myself fighting back tears every time I would talk about her. For the first few weeks, I was almost in a daze. It’s not like she was my best friend and we were super close, but it was that I cared about her as a human and this accident brought to life the reality of how fragile life can be. I looked up to her as a woman. I was inspired by her resilience and mental toughness when I saw her shoot her first shoot-off ever on a stadium field at the Nationals in 2019. With hundreds of people watching in the stands, under the lights, Macy knocked out master class shooter after master class shooter until she was beat by someone that Hayes said, “Even he would have lost to.” Here was Macy, in probably one of the most helpless situations I could ever imagine. It hurt and saddened me. As a person who worked out regularly and could have easily modeled in fitness competitions, she was not a person to take her body and mobility for granted. She did not have irresponsible tendencies or put her life at

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Macy finally reunited with her children, Cullen and Fiona

risk, it was just a random accident. Yet, I kept asking myself, why Macy?

In September of 2020, Macy was chosen for an experimental surgery that would potentially help her regain the use of her arms and hands.

Macy was faced with the most difficult decision.

Stay as she was, or risk what little she had in terms of mobility, for the promise of more. She chose the risk, the hope, the dream that she would one day be able to hug her children again, cook them dinner, drive them to school.

One very important thing I forgot to mention, can you believe this lady went right back to working as a lawyer at her own practice? I wasn’t joking when I said Macy was already strong. Just so we are clear, Macy has gone back to her challenging job and raising her two children from a wheelchair, and she has raised the stakes by

A regular social media post for Macy before the accident. Work out and work hard.

filming a documentary, researching surgery options, dealing with the joke of a health insurance system we have in this country, advocating for Americans with disabilities, and last but not least, she volunteered to take on the Fashion Editor position here at Lady Shooter Lifestyles. When I put out a post on social media asking if anyone would be interested, she immediately replied. She needed something fun to do, something that didn’t have to do with relearning to do life with a handicap, lawyering, or research on experimental surgeries. Lucky for us, Macy has impeccable taste and continues to be a fashion inspiration, despite the wheelchair being her least favorite accessory. Macy is just so fashionable and iconic that she has been chosen to be Miss Wheelchair USA Louisiana and will be travelling to Ohio this summer to compete in the Miss Wheelchair USA pageant!

Her purpose has now shifted to this cause, her cause, the cause that unites everyone living without hope that they will walk again. This cause is not just for Macy but for all quadriplegics. “I want to create an environment of hope when it comes to my specific type of paralysis. Not to mince words and diagnosis, but paraplegics have it a lot easier. They really, really do. Quadriplegics want to be paraplegics, paraplegics want to be T1, and T1’s want to walk. Everybody wants to be the person that’s in front of them. What makes quads so unique is that we can’t function independently with our hands, we can’t push a wheelchair, we can’t hold utensils, I can’t even

wash my hair; if my head itches, I just have to go to my Zen place and tell myself it doesn’t itch.

Until I knew about this surgery, I was holding on to my personality and the type of person I am to get me through it, but this is a light at the end of the tunnel situation. Because if this works, this could work for everyone, and that would be amazing because then guess what? We’re not stuck like this. My kids have something to look forward to because it’s not just about me; it affects your relationships, your marriage, your children, your work peers, how you present yourself in the community, how you function in your home.”

Macy requires 24-hour care and will continue to require this as she recovers from the surgery ahead. On November 2nd and 4th, Macy underwent two of the four planned surgeries. A third surgery took place on March 10, 2021, shortly after the Macy Strong Shoot. Her final surgery will take place in a few months.

Financially, this entire ordeal has been incredibly challenging. Amidst these financially challenging times as Macy focused not only on rebuilding her life but also her body, the Macy Strong Shoot was born.

“It was Hayes’ idea actually, and he discussed it with some people and then presented the idea to me. I wanted to raise money; we were looking at ways to make money and we had just started working on the documentary and I thought what a fabulous way to raise money doing something we love. I think for a lot of people, they were used to seeing me in a certain light. I was one of the people that went to charity shoots and donated and did all of those things. To be on the receiving end of that is a totally different ball game. You

Macy figuring out how to do life in her new way, on a beach vacation with her best friend, colleague, and sometimes caregiver, Sarah Welch LadyShooter LifeStyles

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from the inspire editor

Hayes Garrett and his son Hayden at the Macy Strong Shoot

never think you’re going to be in a situation where you’re going to need money for experimental procedures, or where you feel entirely helpless and the world looks at you in a way that makes you feel even more helpless.” Thankfully, the shooting community is strong, just like Macy.

Along with a board of six, Hayes refused to let Macy help and took on the overwhelming task of organizing a charity shoot.

March 6, 2021, turned out to be a day that will forever be engrained in my memory. I had called in my two best friends, Jason Menke of

Briley Manufacturing and Michelle Miles (who flew in from Florida), and someone I had been wanting to meet for a long time, Josie Richard of Wilderness Gun Club in Lafyette, Louisiana to complete our squad. The weather could not have been more perfect for shooting if we had asked for it directly from God. The shooters started arriving early and the Bayou Country Sporting Clays range in Houma, Louisiana was abuzz. An astounding 52 teams had signed up to shoot in the first annual Macy Strong Shoot and even more people showed up just to hang out. There was a sporting clays event and 5-Stand event.

There were games such as Long Bird, Make-aBreak, and Flurries…and there was even a small area for kids to shoot BB guns at stationary targets! The sporting targets were not easy, but they were fun, and laughter was heard throughout the course. Haley Satterwhite-Day shot an incredible 93 and took home the top female shooter trophy. “I have never had so much fun at a shoot before. Not because of the vendors, food or targets, but because when I looked around, I genuinely saw that everyone was there to support Macy. From novice shooters to NSCA champs and everyone in between, they were all there to support a girl that has gone through so much, but has still found a way to be an inspiration to others and a light in a dark room. I cannot begin to express how lucky I am

Jason Menke, Natalia Gonzalez, Michelle Miles, and Josie Richard: AKA Team Macy Strong/Briley

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Haley Satterwhite-Day and Macy, staying warm in the clubhouse

to be able to call her a friend.” says Haley.

The shoot was promptly followed by a cook off. Some of the best cooks and vendors in the area came out with their best Louisiana dishes, and each shooter was able to try any food from any vendor for free. We all got tickets to vote on our favorite and of course, the winner won a cool prize. There was live music, drinks, games, and best of all, Macy showed up just as the shooting part was wrapping up. Being Macy, she showed up in some cute leggings and an athletic top, her hair all done and make-up perfect. However, it was just too cold outside. For Macy, and anyone with a spinal cord injury, it is almost impossible to regulate their own body temperature. Basically, she doesn’t know she’s cold until she’s freezing, and she doesn’t know she’s hot until she’s sweating like a... you know the expression. As soon as I was done shooting, I found Macy practically making out with a little space heater inside the tiny office because while it was only in the low 70s with bright warm sunshine, to her, it felt like Antarctica. I immediately jumped into action and my squad and I raced to our Airbnb to gather warm clothing for her. We came back shortly with a blanket, my favorite beanie, and a Sitka softshell jacket. I helped her put on the jacket which was my first time helping her do anything, which is not easy, and adjusted the beanie to make sure she still looked cute. As you can see, Macy is not only beautiful on the inside, she’s a knockout on the outside. I wrapped the blanket around her legs and then foolishly asked, “Does that feel better?” She didn’t make me feel stupid for saying it, but I sure felt it. You see, Macy has had to deal with a lot of stupid and insensitive comments from people since being in a

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wheelchair. Her least favorite, “You’re too pretty to be in a wheelchair.” As if her looks has any effect on the series of events that led to her current state. You’ll notice that #youretooprettytobeinawheelchair is one of Macy’s go-to sayings.

For the next few hours we socialized, listened to music, and then the real fun began—the auctions, raffles, and speeches. Macy helped the auctioneer drive up some of the prices and then she signed a Red Ryder BB Gun (this is a big deal) which someone paid a pretty penny for. “We raised approximately $70,000 and we cleared about $50,000. A percentage of it is going to the paralysis center at Boston Massachusetts General Hospital where I am having my surgeries. We have left the fund open so people can donate all year long and we hope to make this an annual shoot every spring as the seasons are changing and the people are changing too. The changing of the seasons I think is reflective not just of nature, but of individuals as our human form, every year we grow. My next goal is to meet with my documentary team and get the ball rolling on the next round of interviews. I am really looking forward to this summer, I am looking to become a part of a walking study; it’s been proven, it’s not cheap, it will cost more money than I have, but if I can do this too, then the road doesn’t end. Every time I succeed at something, someone else will succeed at it too. I just have to prove the theory, that it works. I’m okay with being the person to do that, that doesn’t scare me. What scares me is people quitting or giving up or feeling hopeless. I don’t want that. That shouldn’t happen; this is why we are doing this, not just making someone’s

Macy and Hayes, the only photo of them together at the shoot

Natalia, Macy, and Michelle bundled up for the cool Louisiana night

life easier but saving a life.”

“I was able to fix a meal for my kids for the first time about two weeks ago. We did roast chicken, carrots, and garlic bread. It was pretty simple; I didn’t want to go all out. I was able to put the plates in my lap and drive to them to give it to them, the whole thing. I knew I had to prove that I could do this. I no longer take the simple things for granted.” This statement has resonated with me since I called Macy to talk about the goals of this article. Earlier, I mentioned how I questioned why something like this could happen to someone like Macy. I could say she doesn’t deserve this, but the truth is, nobody does. I know now, in my heart, that Macy was born to inspire people. She has inspired me to value, appreciate, and be grateful for every single thing in life, regardless of the present circumstances. Let me say that part again, regardless of the present circumstances. Even the smallest things, like being able to do my son’s laundry for him, or being able to go to yoga, or even being able to scratch my own head have become a source of gratitude. It is through Macy that hope is kept alive, that faith is made strong, that love is made real. I pray that as you read Macy’s story you reflect on your blessings and take a moment to be grateful for every single one. When life throws you obstacles that seem like life is no longer worth living, I pray you remember Macy. Remember Macy’s strength and let it help you find yours. n

To donate, please visit givebutter.com and search the Macy Strong campaign.

Macy getting a hug from her daughter, Fiona, while helping the auctioneer.

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theeditor hunt from the

“Tell Me the Story” A CALL TO ACTION BY ANDREA BOGARD

A

s a hunter, I have fallen in love with both saying and hearing these four simple words – “Tell me the story.”

Why? Because a hunt is so much more than an animal on the ground. It’s the stories both heard and told, as well as the lessons learned along the way.

Today, I’m going to tell you a story. But, there’s a catch. Next time, I want to hear yours. I want you to tell me a story from your hunting memory book. Was it a first hunt? A hunt without a punched tag at the end? A hunt that made you smile? Or, were there tears? Whatever the case, tell me the story.

Until then, here is a story of mine from fall 2018. I hope you enjoy it, and I can’t wait to hear yours!

“Mom! I Got Him!” Hi. My name is Andrea. I am an adult-onset hunter. I didn’t grow up hunting. I didn’t grow up knowing about conservation. I don’t have warm hunting stories with my mom or dad to relay around a campfire. I can’t tell you tales of “this one time back when…”.

What can I do? I can walk into the darkened woods with my 12-year-old son, Colton, with the same wonder and trepidation. I can drop to my knees in the mud and examine scat and tracks

LadyShooter LifeStyles

with the same excitement as my boys (poop is cool no matter how old you are, right?). I can get the same butterflies when a big buck walks out. I can feel the tears when my son takes a shot and a life.

I can put my arm around him and not ask what he’s feeling, because I am feeling it too. I can wrap his fingers in mine and there is no distinction between his tremors and mine.

Why? Because this is new for me, too. I am his mom, but also his peer in many ways. He can skin rabbits and squirrels and I’m still learning. A few years ago, it turned my stomach. Today, I take pictures and videos and ask him to dissect it and name the parts. A few years ago, I hated it when he shot bunnies because they were “cute.” Today, I welcome him and his fuzzy fare with open arms, a Food Saver and a board full of Pinterest recipes.

We put five deer in our freezer this year between us. The first one was on the Youth Hunt.

My husband, Brandon, took him out the first three sits. Saturday am/pm and Sunday morning.

Brandon offered to watch Dwight, our toddler, Sunday night so I could go sit with him. I was simultaneously elated and cautious.

What if I mess this up for him? What if I don’t make the right stand choice? What if I’m not a good guide? What if I tell him to take a bad shot? What if I hold him from a shot he should take?

That night, I meticulously managed my scent, and took my son to a pit blind on the property he’d hunted the last few sits. I ranged about 30 different landmarks, took a deep breath and settled in.

“Mama, you got this. There are tons of deer here. He’s a great shot. He’s solid and practiced.”

I told myself all these things as we sat there and watched the 2018 youth season slip away.

After a while, he giggled and pointed towards the opposite hill. He was pointing toward a hawk that was hunting the field and hill across the valley. “Wouldn’t it be cool if it got something while we watched?”

Then it hit me. He’s taking this in as much as I am. He’s soaking in the feelings and experiences as much as me. Is his goal to shoot a monster buck? No. Would he love to? Yes! Does he want to

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When Colton found him just over the hill, he hit his knees in the crunchy leaves and wrapped his arms around the thick, brown neck. I took pictures of him with his deer, tagging him, cleaning him and holding the heart.

There is one moment above all the others that I love to look back on. It is the picture of Colton and I with his deer in the woods when we found him. For him, it might just be a picture of him with his mom. For me, it is the moment I realized that it’s not important whether I am the teacher or student, mom or mentor, it is the fact that I am there. I am learning. I am present. Despite my lack of experience or knowledge, I am there.

Seeing this world through his eyes and reveling in it every. step. of. the. way.

Now it’s time for you to “Tell Me the Story!”

Email your story and three to five images to andrea@ladyshooterlife.com for an opportunity to be featured in our upcoming issue! If your story is selected for publication, you receive a free one year subscription to Lady Shooter Lifestyles! n grow as a hunter this deer season? Yes! Would he still be elated if he shot a doe? Absolutely.

I sat with that and enjoyed the warm glow of the late September sun as it dropped over the hill.

I sat beside my (then 11-year-old) son and watched does come pouring over the hill into the field below us.

Just then, another group of does came flying over the hill and raced into the field. I told Colton, “Get ready, there’s something coming after them.” He looked at me with a question in his eyes, but settled in behind his rifle. I had my rangefinder in one hand and my binoculars in the other. Suddenly, a large bodied buck came barreling over the hill and into the field.

I said, “He’s a shooter.” I softly whispered ranges to Colton as he watched him come across the field. He was calm and smooth behind his rifle as the buck traversed the field below. The buck stopped. “Do you have a shot?” I whispered.

“Yes,” was the firm response. “Okay, 167 yards,” I murmured back.

Bannngggg! “I hit him! He’s hit good, Mom. Mom! I got him! Mom! I’m shaking!” I was watching the buck through my binos, saw he was hit and knew it was a good shot.

I watched him race over the hill, fueled by adrenaline. My son was shaking with the same adrenaline. He clicked his safety on, laid his rifle on the rest and enveloped me in a camouflage hug.

He wrapped me in arms that smelled like a dirt biscuit and shook like the leaves on the oak trees behind us. I wrapped him up and thanked God for that moment and prayed at the same time that the shot had been as accurate and clean as he believed. He replayed the sequence of the shot verbally at least four times before I told him, “Ok, let’s go find him.”

#tellmethestory

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LadyShooter LifeStyles

from 2nd amendment the editor

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fromamendment 2nd the editor

2nd Amendment Discussions DEFINING DIFFERENCES BY ANDREA BOGARD

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elcome back to 2A Discussions!

Last installment we chatted about the education-focused group, the DC Project, and some of the critical concepts they bring to the table. Today, we’re going to explore some vocabulary and how important it is to understand the terminology and nuance surrounding 2nd Amendment proposals and legislation.

Why? I’ve heard some target shooters ask?

“This doesn’t affect me - I shoot clays with a 32-inch barrel over-under 12 ga shotgun.” Read on to learn how, big picture, these issues may have a greater impact than one might think.

being discussed, proposed, legislated and passed is critical. As of this writing, the new presidential administration is creating executive orders at an unprecedented rate across a broad spectrum of issues and completely bypassing the legislative process. These orders are spanning multiple arenas politically, socially, vocationally and constitutionally. Additionally, the 1st Amendment is getting compromised in a variety of ways, creating a disconnect between the People and the process laid out in the Constitution.

Let’s take a closer look at what some of these terms mean. More importantly, what they can mean for you and your Constitutional rights.

“A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

“Autoloader”

I had an interesting conversation recently with a gentleman at a local sporting clays range. We’ll call him Frank, for the purposes of this conversation. He communicated how he didn’t want to shoot with another person there that day (we’ll call him Mike), and cited Mike’s shotgun choice and its lack of “sporting” characteristics, as he perceived it. While Frank talked, his K-80 with 32s balanced precariously on his vest clad shoulder.

Mike happened to shoot a Benelli M2 in a waterfowl camouflage pattern. Listening to Frank you would think the Benelli shooter was proposing shooting clays with a 50 BMG mounted on top of the golfcart. Hmmmm.

Trying to understand his reasoning, I asked him some questions. Waving his hands for emphasis he explained, “It’s a fully automatic shotgun.” He felt it was “unsporting and unsafe” to be on the clays course with a “full auto” shotgun. Interesting. Now, we’re getting somewhere.

Terminology is key. Understanding what is

This is a term we hear a lot in the sporting clays/ skeet/trap world. It usually references something other than an over-under or side-by-side (double barrel). Pump-action shotguns aren’t a common go-to in the target world, so “autoloader” has become a somewhat default nomenclature for a variety of non-double barrel shotguns.

So, we’ve heard the term, but do we actually know what it means? It may seem irrelevant at the moment, but when terms like “autoloader,” “semiautomatic” and “full auto” are used interchangeably by well-meaning but uninformed individuals in the sporting/target industry, it can cause a significant problem.

As a term, “autoloader” actually originated as a mechanized component to load unfired ammunition into a vehicle mounted gun as it was fired. It was not a part of the gun, but rather a “mechanical aid” or “replacement” for human personnel.

It’s also evolved to be a slang reference for selfloading firearms. Here’s where it starts to get interesting. When you think of self-loading, what comes to mind? If you’re like many of us in the sporting/target world, you think of a “semiauto”

shotgun of some variety. This is correct, but not completely.

Circling back to my conversation with Frank (Mr. K-80), how would he respond if he was told he shot a “self-loading” shotgun? Most likely, he had never thought about it. And therein lies the purpose for this dialogue.

Over recent decades, there have been numerous legislative proposals calling for restriction, removal and regulation of “selfloading” firearms. By definition, this could include both over and under and side by side shotguns possessing single triggers, in addition to the more commonly referenced “semiauto” configurations. Why? Because all the shooter needs to do to load/fire the next round is pull the trigger. Let that sit for a moment.

“Semiautomatic” “Semi-auto” “Semiauto” A semiautomatic gun is one that is both selfloading and capable of rapid, but not continuous, firing. Rapid can be a somewhat subjective term, however. We’ve all shot with those that can shoot a true pair in the same amount of time it takes others to locate a single. Regardless, a semiauto is not a full auto, a commonly misused term.

“Fully automatic” “Full auto” “Automatic” A fully automatic gun is one that requires one trigger pull to fire multiple rounds. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never shot clays with a “full auto” shotgun. However, I have heard the term used in reference to a semiautomatic shotgun of some variety.

If you come away with anything today, I hope it’s an acknowledgement of the need to be proactive and informed, rather than complacent.

The 2nd Amendment is designed as a safeguard against the erosion of the Constitution and a defense against a tyrannical government. It is our responsibility to be educated, informed, intentional and proactive. This is a way of life that is only guaranteed by the protection of the Constitution and the presence and preservation of the 2nd Amendment.

Check back for an update on what’s new in 2nd Amendment Discussions! n

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LadyShooter LifeStyles

from the beauty editor

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BEAUTY

from the editor beauty

Moisture Madness

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aby it’s cold outside… Well maybe not for our friends in South Florida, however, during these winter months our skin goes through many changes.

The drier and colder climate can dry us out like the desert. What do we do? Most of us apply some sort of moisturizer to calm the dryness. The number one complaint I get from clients at my esthetician practice is that their dry skin persists even with the daily use of the fanciest of moisturizers. What is the deal?

We will start with the obvious. Not everybody needs the same care.

In our looks obsessed culture, it is important not to fall into the advertising trap that is set to get you to buy more products. More products don’t always equal better skin. In our last issue, I broke down the skin care process into its four basic categories of products. Now we will expand on how to achieve moisturized skin.

When you have oily skin, often times this means that your skin has a compromised barrier function and it is harder for your skin to retain moisture. This can cause surface dryness also known as dehydrated skin. When the skin is dehydrated, it actually rushes to produce more oil. In order to fix this, one must find a way to rehydrate the skin and then seal in that hydration.

The same can be said for chronically dry skin, however the type of moisturizer is much heavier and more emollient feeling for this type of skin.

Step 1: Rehydrate the Skin Drinking more water is one way to rehydrate the skin, but that doesn’t work right away, drinking more water is a daily process that yields results later down the line. Hydrating serums work quickly and are effective, sometimes immediately, because they have smaller molecules that penetrate the skin on a deeper level. These can help significantly but only when the pores are open and can effectively absorb the hydrating serum. Look for serums with hyaluronic acid

BY EDITOR, NATALIA GONZALEZ which will hydrate and plump unwanted fine lines. A fresh natural alternative is fresh aloe vera gel. For less than $2 you can pick up an aloe vera leaf and make your own serum.

Find a hydrating serum that you just love, love the way it feels on your skin, the way it smells, this will encourage daily use and help heal the skin faster. Apply the serum after cleansing and/or toning to optimize absorption, the skin should be slightly moist, not completely dry. Gently massage the serum all over face in small circles, also stimulating blood flow and lymphatic drainage. Remember, more serum does not equal more benefits, your skin can only absorb so much product so a dime size amount is usually plenty.

sometimes contain harmful ingredients and can actually dry out your skin even more. Unless you are purchasing a mask from a licensed professional, I suggest looking into natural options instead. One of my favorites is manuka honey. This is special honey that contains higher than normal levels of antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties. A manuka honey mask will leave your skin feeling hydrated and soft.

Follow me on Instagram for more skin care tips.

@luxebeautyhouston

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k Restore All Moisturizer Luxe Beauty Houston $96 luxebeautyhouston.com

Step 2: Seal in Hydration with Moisturizer Once you apply the serum, you must seal it in with your moisturizer. Ideally this would be done twice a day to keep the skin at optimum levels.

If you have oily skin you want to find a good water-based moisturizer that will feel light on your skin and won’t clog your pores. With the consistent use of a good hydrating serum some people can even do without moisturizer If you have very dry skin, look for a moisturizer that is thicker and has a heavier feel.

The emollient-based moisturizers will sit on top of the skin and the larger molecules will seal in the hydration and moisture. A natural alternative could be olive oil which is an excellent makeup remover as well. It can leave a nice layer of oil on the skin that will work as effectively as most retail moisturizers.

Step 3: A Hydrating Mask Once a week it is good to do a hydrating mask.

Something that you leave on for 20 minutes and wash off. There are tons of masks on the market and they are now sold at the checkout lines in stores everywhere. Be careful with these as they

Superfood Air-Whip Moisture Cream Youth to the People $48 youthtothepeople.com ORMEDIC Balancing Biopeptide Crème Image Skincare $74 imageskincare.com Intensive Moisture Balance Dermalogica $72 dermstore.com Imperialis LUSH $28 lushusa.com Water Drench Peter Thomas Roth $52 peterthomasroth.com LadyShooter LifeStyles

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PHOTO CREDIT: DAN’NIEL MCKNIGHT

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The Beretta 694 – more accurate, reliable, and predictable.