IMPACT, CHANGE AND EMPOWERMENT

What do you get when you combine the energy and enthusiasm of 10 new/newer female hunters with the unbridled excitement of the Sheep Show®? A whole lot of fun and an undeniable impact on the community!

Attendees of the show enjoyed meeting and getting to know four alumnae from the New Hunter Class of 2021 and six from the Class of 2022. The women were volunteering at the show to give back to WSF and Women Hunt® for having benefitted from their experiences during the New Hunter course and being matched with a local hunting mentor. They helped work two new programs at the show: the Women Hunt® booth and the Camp Chef Culinary Corner. The booth saw the women engaged in outreach efforts with attendees, educating and advocating for Women Hunt®, sharing and listening to stories, and having fun providing samples of Full Curl Spirits and African Tradition wines. They also volunteered in the brand new and wildly successful Camp Chef Culinary Corner, where the audience saw them helping Executive Chef Joshua Schwencke of Gastronomy Outdoors. Chef Schwencke delivered multiple courses over the three days of the expo to an ever-growing and enthusiastic audience who enjoyed samples of his delicious cuisine. The women also supported WSF staff in existing areas we know and love: selling raffle tickets at the Ladies Luncheon and the <1 Club® beer reception, banquet seating in the evenings, working in registration and the WSF store, and all-around helping wherever needed. Thank you ladies!

We celebrated our fifth seminar at the Sheep Show® with a fabulous discussion with Kristy Titus (Pursue the Wild), Jana Waller (Skull Bound Chronicles) and two fantastic youth hunters, Cami Cunningham and Brooklyn Widdifield. Cami holds the distinction of being the youngest female to complete her FNAWS and Brooklyn holds the distinction of being the youngest female Alberta resident to have harvested a Rocky Mountain bighorn. It was a lively discussion where attendees enjoyed Cami’s younger sister Stormy joining her to perform an original song they wrote about sheep hunting.

November 2022 found Women Hunt® with a presence at The Wildlife Society’s Conference where we conducted outreach at our booth and delivered a seminar to a packed room of attendees. There we discussed how Women Hunt® can help and encourage women in wildlife professions engage in hunting and better understand the goals of the hunting community. The impact of our participation at the TWS conference was tangible and we plan to have an active presence again in the future, along with other industry events where we can make the most impact in our relationships with future decision makers who will have influence over the policies and

legislation which affect our hunting heritage.

The third annual New Hunter course is planned for the fall of 2023 from October 27-November

1. Applications will be reviewed by the committee using a consistent scoring rubric and blind assessment. The successful applicants will be selected using a holistic approach intended to fulfill our mandate while meeting the interests of our Chapter

& Affiliate network. Applicants will be able to apply for the opportunity between May 1-30 by visiting https:// www.wildsheepfoundation.org/ womenhunt.

There are exciting developments coming this year to our on-line resource plan in partnership with several other organizations. We’re looking forward to a revamp of our website to better reflect our mission, purpose, and the supports we will provide to our community. Stay tuned for these exciting developments!

It seems that change is the word of the day where Women Hunt® is concerned! As we’re coming into our own and realizing our potential, we’re excited to launch new aspects of our programming to continue to evolve and engage with any women and young women who are hunting for…food, wildlife conservation, community, understanding, inspiration, and above all, empowerment. WS

Connect with us!

Renée Thornton (MT Chair

Julie Chapman (IN) Board Liaison

Rachel Ahtila (AB)

Linda Demmer (MI)

Sara Domek (WY)

Brandi Love (AB)

Rebecca Peters (BC)

Sue Skold (IA)

Meet the Wild Sheep Foundation’s Women Hunt® Committee

Bios and photos at: www.wildsheepfoundation.org/about/ women-hunt-committee

Connect with us: https://www.wildsheepfoundation.org/womenhunt womenhunt@wildsheepfoundation.org

@womenhunt @women_hunt @womenhunt