TEACHING THE TEACHER

Is it always easy learning something new? Of course not. As I communicate to my students, rather than having a fixed mindset, we need to have a growth mindset and accept challenges faced along the way. This makes learning even more satisfying. As a hunter, conservationist, and teacher; I am a lifelong learner. A major life changing experience which enabled me to continue to learn and grow was being selected to be a part of the first group of women in Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt® sponsored New Hunter Course, delivered by FTW/SAAM. When my husband Teddy learned about this opportunity, we both knew

I needed to apply. I was a limited experienced hunter and wanted to learn among other inexperienced or limited experienced women.

By being selected for the New Hunter Course, I gained more skills and confidence in the field than I ever thought possible. While at the FTW Ranch in October 2021, I reminded myself to maintain a growth mindset and accept the challenges I was facing. I am righthanded and discovered I was left-eye dominant when I took a Hunter Safety Course. When I went shooting with my family, I always shot righthanded and felt I had a decent shot. Our first day on the range, I realized shooting right-handed I could not apply a good focus through my scope. I reached a frustration level I had never experienced before and questioned for a moment if this was really for me. After a few moments, I decided to move my rifle to my left shoulder. This was a complete game changer. One of my awesome instructors, Fredo, corrected my reloading challenges prior to the next morning. While we were in class that evening, he switched me over to a left-handed Women Hunt® logoed Weatherby Mark V set-up, and the next day he also ensured I was sighted-in and prepared to become a true left-handed shooter.

This past year brought success personally in both hunting and perseverance. My first successful hunt was in some of the coldest elements I have experienced. It was a late season cow elk hunt in December 2022, and I could not be more proud of the way the hunt progressed. I took my time finding a cow that was on its own to ensure a clear shot. This was the moment of truth to apply what I learned at the FTW Ranch. I was not nervous; I was calm and focused. I breathed and squeezed; just as we were taught at the ranch: “Because You Only Have One First Shot™!” That was all I needed. When I reloaded, my elk was already on the ground. I was emotional afterward, but proud to know this animal did not suffer and was thankful for the meals it would provide for my family and friends. I also had the opportunity to participate in my good friend Michelle’s desert bighorn hunt. This hunt took place in the most rugged terrain in which I have hiked. Prior to her hunt, we went shooting which allowed me to share tips and techniques learned at the ranch for her to apply to her shooting. She still talks about how this helped with her confidence in shooting and preparing for her hunt.

During the Sheep Show® in January 2023, I was able to catch up with instructors from the FTW ranch and share my first hunting experience since I was there. I was proud to share my story, because without the New Hunter Course, I would not be the hunter I am becoming. I was also able to visit with my mentor, Fritz Richards, and share with him my excitement regarding my first elk hunt. An important component of the Women Hunt® program is finding and matching the alumna with a mentor in partnership with the WSF Chapters and Affiliates. Women Hunt® worked with NBU Fallon to match me with Fritz. He checked in with me regularly and made sure I felt confident going into my first hunt.

This year I was also able to experience the Sheep Show® in a new way. My school took both of our fifth-grade classes to the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience (YWCE). I teach at a (high-risk) Title I school where many of our students are not often exposed to the outdoors or conservation. This was one of my main goals for my Giving Back to Women Hunt® and the Wild Sheep Foundation; to give my students the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience about the outdoors and conservation. Our students enjoyed this field trip more than I could have imagined! They did and tried everything they could from rock climbing, archery, and duck calling—along with attending seminars on Cooking in the Outdoors and The Art of Being a Falconer (which were some of their favorites). Dr. Ryan Brock does an amazing job at making it possible for students to experience this side of Sheep Show® . He has also provided my classes with the Wild Sheep Kit for the past four years, where students can learn in depth about our state animal, the desert bighorn sheep.

Along with taking my students to the YWCE, I was also able to volunteer for the Sheep Show® this year. I helped set up the silent auction tables for Ladies Luncheon

Meet the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt® Committee

Bios and photos at: www.wildsheepfoundation.org/about/ women-hunt-committee and sold raffle tickets, although this did not feel like work to me. Saturday of the Sheep Show®, I was very excited for my volunteer shift because I would be working with Chef Joshua Schwencke in the new Camp Chef Culinary Corner. Chef Joshua has such a contagiously vibrant personality; he makes you want to get in the kitchen to try new ways to cook game just as I did when I returned from the ranch.

Giving back is such an important aspect of the Women Hunt® program. This is how we reach fellow women hunters, both new and inexperienced. The past two years I have also participated in guzzler builds hosted by the Nevada Department of Wildlife and Nevada Bighorns Unlimited. My first experience was last summer in Soldier Meadows. In April, I went on my second guzzler build east of Fallon. With the second build, I understood more of the guzzler building process and where I could help. There were over one hundred people who came out to help build the highest water-capacity guzzler in Northern Nevada, which was amazing to view!

My learning experience is not complete. I look forward to what I

Connect with us: can learn next about hunting and conservation or where I can instill in my students a relationship with hunting and conservation. At my school, other teachers are now approaching me about my hunting experiences, and sharing their experiences, or a family members’ experiences with me. Some of my good friends have seen the change in me since participating in the New Hunter Course and are applying for the next round; or at least taking their first steps in hunting and signing up for a Hunter Safety Course. No matter who is selected, I cannot wait to hear about the experience these women will have. Women Hunt® has opened a new world to me and to those around me. I continue to be humbled at this new part of my journey. WS

Rachel Ahtila

Julie Chapman

Linda Demmer

Sara Domek

Brandi Love

Rebecca Peters

Sue Skold https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/womenhunt womenhunt@wildsheepfoundation.org

@womenhunt @women_hunt @womenhunt