First, I want to thank you again for your continuing support. It means so much, and I look forward to seeing all this energy in other F&S blogs and message boards. 

I'd promised to write in this home stretch about what I love best about hunting. But what can I say that would cover it all? I love what we all do -- connecting with the outdoors, taking responsibility for the meat I eat... I love feeling a part of the tradition of American huntresses, which stretches back to those black and white, turn of the century photos you see of skirt-wearing, rifle-toting sportswomen. Then there's the connections I've made with other people -- like my grandfather, who never would have started telling me his own old hunting stories had I not taken up the sport myself. It's a link I never imagined sharing with him, but it's made our relationship all the richer. There's also all I've learned along the way, from skill-based lessons to cultural realizations.

One thing I've been happy to realize is that the tradition of hunting--although the non-sporting public may only see as far as a stereotype--takes all kinds. I was lucky to enter the field for the first time with other women for a mule deer hunt. We were a group of twenty-something's and grandmothers, democrats and republicans, newbies and seasoned sportsmen. It was great to see such a range of experiences within even just one small group of huntresses. I've since hunted with anyone from pregnant women in South Carolina to Amish carpenters in Pennsylvania. And of course there are so many different kinds of hunters I've not yet had the pleasure to meet. I like thinking about the fact that hunting can be a common link between otherwise diverse groups of people. While we may all love it for our own equally-diverse reasons, the point is we all love it. -K.H. 

Unfortunately, it's time for me to share some sad news. I found out last week that--due to budget issues--the Field & Stream women's blog will be no more.

Of course, I've loved writing as FSHuntress since the blog launched in summer 2007. What started as an enthusiastic core of women readers has grown into a close and supportive blogging community. I think we've all enjoyed getting to know each other as we shared our many field stories involving children, husbands, first turkeys, biggest deer, and even gimpy hogs. Since the Web redesign, it's been great to welcome more men to the blog and to hear about the women hunters in their lives (or the plan to add women hunters to their lives--good luck with that!). Of course, there have been a few dud posts along the way, and we haven't always agreed, but overall I've come to appreciate the hunters on this blog as the finest of sportsmen -- passionate, responsible, and absolutely committed to getting more women into the field. I've felt privileged to number among you. 

As the blog now enters its home stretch (it will continue through the end of April) I'll be closing out with a few stories and thoughts on what I love best about hunting. Beyond that, I'll look forward to seeing you around the other F&S blogs. But for the moment, I'll just say thanks for reading, and I've loved getting to know you. -K.H. 

I love quotes. And the ones having to do with hunting are among my favorites. So on this beautiful day in the Northeast that promises to get more beautiful through tomorrow, I thought I'd simply welcome the weekend with the words of one of the country's most famous women shooters. 

"Any woman who does not thoroughly enjoy tramping across the country on a clear, frosty morning with a good gun and a pair of dogs does not know how to enjoy life."  

Well said, Ms. Oakley. --K.H.