That's the question angler Kim Bain-Moore, who made history last weekend by being the first woman to compete in the Bassmaster Classic, asked Saturday on her tournament blog. 

     Bain -- a 28-year-old originally from Australia, who now lives in Alabaster, Ala., -- is the 2008 Women's Bassmaster Tour Angler of the Year. Last Friday, she fulfilled a lifelong dream when she walked across the Bassmaster stage and weighed in. Unfortunately, she missed the cut Saturday, finishing the tournament in 47th place with a two-day total of 12 pounds, two ounces.  

     While her Saturday blog post talked about her pride in having competed and the fatigue she felt now that the event was over, it also included some observations about the unique challenges of being the only woman competitor (including not being able to pee on the water), and even some suggestions that a few of the other anglers may not have been "enthusiastic" about her presence. She states: 

     "Then there was the undercurrent of displeasure towards my situation from some of my fellow Classic competitors... which for a few of them turned into a personal vendetta." 

     She elaborated only somewhat, thanking the "guys" for the fact that there had been no, "special favorite sister, or hold the door for the girl treatment."  

     Bain-Moore answers her own question about the advisability of women competing against men at the end of her post when she says, "That's a debate for when we all have much more experience on the topic." Considering basic physical differences as well as social conceptions, what do you think? -K.H. 

I recently read what I think is one of the most disappointing stories I've seen in The New York Times. And unfortunately, it was about women hunters. Titled, The Huntress Club: Duck Hunting Sorority in the Swamp and clearly written by a non-hunter, the story focused on six women who call themselves the Swamp Witches and return twice a year to hunt a private club in the Mississippi Delta. While the article touches briefly on trends among women waterfowlers, it mostly follows this group through an unsuccessful Monday hunt, during which they manage to take none of the ducks that pass (some within 40 yards), they smoke, pass around a flask, apparently wear purple bands on their hats and finally leave empty-handed. 

While it's commendable that the group is out there and doing it themselves, and while it's hard not to feel bad about the questions they say they get from skeptics (like, "Do y'all have to have a license, like males do?"), I wish The Times -- which doesn't exactly run stories on women hunters every day -- could have found a different group of representatives for their spotlight. -K.H. 

Considering it's Valentine's Day season, I thought I'd do a post about romance, and what better testament to the love one hunter feels for another than a camo wedding. 

     I don't have much experience with theme weddings in general, but there's quite a bit online about how to plan a hunting ceremony. I found a few wedding planning services that have done hunting receptions (one recommended placing the cake on a series of tree stumps). But I also found this thread on partypop.com, in which brides and mothers-of-brides were comparing notes on their upcoming camo weddings. Their comments focused on items such as Mossy Oak ribbons, Mossy Oak veils, shotgun shells for confetti, flower arrangements that incorporated arrows (though there were some safety concerns with that one), candle holders fashioned from twigs, fish bowl centerpieces with personalized bobbers and silk camo accents on the wedding gown itself. 

     I was impressed by the obvious industry and enthusiasm each of these women seemed to possess, and I think some of these suggestions could be a lot of fun -- if done right. But I pity the wedding guest who attends a reception incorporating all these elements at once. Watch out for that shotgun shell confetti -- ouch!

     Also, regarding the Gear Giveaway, the winner is chosen (incidentally, it's our first male gear winner), but I'll have to wait until next week to announce him. I know, the suspense is brutal!

     In the meantime, have you been to a hunting-themed wedding, or do you happen to be planning one yourself? There are certainly plenty of deer cake toppers and camo garter belts on the market if you are! -K.H.  

I've spent the past few posts (Gear Giveaway aside) railing against celebrity activism and male chauvinist writers posing as hunters. So I thought I'd take a different tack and start this week off with a little comedy. 

     I'm no joke-teller, but I'm still going to subject you to a yarn told by a Catholic priest at a parish in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains. I used to go to this church as a kid. This particular priest ended each mass with a joke featuring two recurring characters: Pat (the drunken Irishman) and Father Murphy (the straight man constantly saving Pat from himself). The one I remember best goes a little something like this. (Disclaimer: This isn't necessarily a good joke and it has nothing to do with hunting, it's just the only joke I know so go easy on me!):

     One day, there was huge fire in the center of town, threatening to consume blocks of life and property. The townspeople were frantic, scrambling for water and rescuing possessions from the buildings nearest the flames. At the sound of an approaching engine, the exhausted citizens looked up to see a truck -- driven by Pat with Father Murphy at his side -- racing out of the hills above the town and barreling fearlessly into the heart of the blaze. With Pat and Father Murphy fighting the flames from the other side, the fire was soon under control, and by day's end, the town was saved. Pat and Father Murphy were instant heroes, and the adoring townspeople wondered in hushed tones: "How could two men so bravely race into the fire without even a moment's hesitation?" When the mayor later held a ceremony to present Pat and Father Murphy with a cash reward and key to the town, he patted Pat on the back and asked: "Well gentlemen, what are you going to do with the money?" Pat shrugged and without thinking said, "Fix the brakes on that truck." 

     Lucky for you, reader Laura Benjamin recently sent this much more occasion-appropriate joke. Stop me if you've heard this one: 

     A hunter and his friend were sitting in a tall tower stand near the highway. Suddenly, a huge buck walked out over the corn they had spread nearby. Moving quickly, the hunter aimed his rifle at the unsuspecting deer. As he was about to squeeze the trigger, his friend alerted him to a funeral procession passing slowly down the highway. The hunter pulled away from the gun stock, set the rifle down, took off his hat, bowed his head, and closed his eyes in prayer as the procession passed by. His friend was stunned. "Wow, that was the most thoughtful and touching thing I've ever seen you do." The hunter shrugged. "Yeah, well, we were married for 35 years." 

     I'm sure plenty of you are better joke-tellers than me, with a much broader repertoire of field-related material. Have one you'd care to share? (Try to keep 'em clean and don't forget to tip your bartenders.) -Kimberly Hiss