When I married my late husband Finn Aagaard who was a professional hunter in Kenya and later became a well known gun writer for NRA publications and for Wolf Publishing, back in 1968, I had never held a firearm in my hands. I was quickly made to understand that it was usefull for me to obtain a hunting license, therby allowing us to have a double meat quota. Finn started me off gently with mild loads and gradually worked up. I had always loved the out doors, but it took me several years before I could calmly sit down and shoot something. The female in me was too well developed; females by nature GIVE birth, they are not programmed to take it. With patience Finn and I overcame this, and now I am happy to say that hunting is a real joy. True hunting that is. I refuse to shoot anything over a feeder, I can not see the sport in that. I love the still hunting one can do after whitetail or pronghorn, and take pride in getting closer and even closer. Understanding shot placement is of utmost importance as well. I despise the macho guys that brag about their magnums that can shoot 4-600 yard shots. Real hunting is getting close and personal and then put the bullet where it is supposed to go. Magnums do not make up for poor and sloppy shooting!About women in camp with a bunch of guys: It is up to the woman to make them feel comfortable with their "alian" companion. If the only woman in camp is whiney and demanding, no wonder they will be sour. But if the female shows that she has what it takes to hunt, take care of her game, to deal with less than optimal comforts, she will soon gain their admiration and respect instead of scorn. The guys don't expect much of the "weaker" sex, so it does not take much to surprise and impress them. Smiles and cheerfulness go a long way. And honestly, if they feel they can't swear, belch, fart, tell dirty stories with a woman in camp, nobody has missed much! Happy shooting and hunting girls!Berit Aagaard

I don't think many women know what is available to them ... but either do many men or kids. For the ladies (and families) in Southeast Michigan, check out the Women of Aim at the Detroit Sportsmen's Congress. These ladies get into everything - rifle, pistol, shotgun, blackpowder, cowboy action, archery, CCW, .... One woman in the shotgun class really showed up the guys on the trap and skeet fields the other night. A great thing is that more families are joining up and getting their kids involved. www.d-s-c.org

Dave,Next time we are at SHOT, please introduce me to the "As many women as men"thanksYour friendMark SchaeferBushnell

Have 2 daughters, the oldest went hunting with me for 3 years then quit, wouldn't do any gutting, that was my job! But shooting was OK, just wouldn't touch the dead critter, but would EAT the dead critter after it was cooked! She has been the ONLY female I've ever seen in the woods other than my neighbor's granddaughter who goes with him when she can, and she will do her own gutting!

I personally apologize to those ladies that were abused by shooting snobs, and I’ve seen it done to new male shooters. Although such conduct is rare, it’s a pity and a tremendous liability for the shooting and hunting sports. No wonder our future is questionable. We shooters and hunters are probably reaping what we sow allowing such rudeness and hostility to exist at the shooting clubs and in the field.Other—I noticed the more progressive clay target clubs will go out to their way to encourage and teach new women shooters.Women do not like recoil, nor do they like to dress like derelicts for shooting and hunting.I’ve yet to meet a woman that didn’t enjoy being taken to the field for a hunt. You see the light bulb going on.

I tried to introduce my girlfriend to trap shooting (she cleans her own game when we hunt). She can't stand some of the pigs, er, I mean shooters, Never wants to go back.Good thing they shut their faces when I was around. Now what?

I am a mom of 2 young daughters and my husband has introduced me to hunting as well as my kids. They made their 1st kills this past year on an African Safari and have their list of things they want this year when we go back. We have 500 acres that is to be used strictly to introduce women and children to shooting and hunting. A man can't do anything but shoot a cull buck or manage the does if we need him to. And we have lots of kids waiting in line to be on the list to learn to hunt there. Both kids have probably 7 guns each already at 8 and 6 from shotguns to rifles. They are very good shots, like their mom. We had a great teacher!!

Oops, quick correction, the above post was referring to "julie's" post not Judy's

Last year my 11 year old daughter asked to go Turkey hunting. She harveste 2 mature Toms. Then an 8 point buck in the fall. She was anxious for season to open this spring and harvested 2 more birds.She wants to accompany me to elk camp soon.I don't think many of her classmates are doing the same.She owns 3 firearms.

I've heard the full version of the song but am a bit too young to ever hear any lucky strike ads sorry to say.DEP: After reading through the rest of the magazine I'd like to point out that I infact have a West "By God" Virginia sticker in the back window of my car. Also I've coveted a rimfire NULA (or any NULA rifle for that matter) for some time and what makes it worse is that I reside across the river from shop; since I cannot afford such a rifle and am also left handed I will glady take yours off your hands. Oh and I'd never heard of a Miller until reading your article, I am quite ashamed of myself.

MattWV: For God's sake, concentrate!

Well, my husband wanted to know why I didnt want to go elk hunting with him and his friends this year. While I do like hunting, I don't like feeling like the only oddball. Amongst 7 men I'd be odd. That is usually how it goes when we go hunting, shooting, fishing. No other wives go, no girlfriends. I love going, but I hate it when a new guy feels like he has to apologize if he accidentally swears in front of me. Im just there to have fun. Don't make me feel like I should be wearing a ball gown instead of the camo pants I've got on. I'm carrying the 12 gauge pump I picked out for my 26th birthday, not a parasol. I guess what I'm saying is yes we're out there. I think a lot of women that enjoy the outdoors just don't really know where they fit in. There are these pseudo-outdoor organizations for women which might as well dress you in pink camo. Then there are others that are more realistic but are less based on things related to hunting and fishing, and in some cases are anti, so its really a catch 22. I'd love to find a group of ladies to get together with and go trout fishing, or squirrel hunting, but I don't know, so far I'm just not seeing it. I own my own rifles, shotguns, and fishing poles, I'm sure others do too, maybe if there was a symbol you know like a secret mark you could wear that could identify you as THE OUTDOORSWOMAN, we could seek eachother out. I'd love to hear some ideas.

I love to shoot skeet. And I'm darn good at it, always beating out my male competitors. Had my husband not initially invited me to come out with him I would have never known that I enjoyed something so much. Not all males are ready to admit that a woman can be just as good or even better than them. Shooting is still a predominately male sport and men may just be scared of the competition a woman can bring because my shooting invites are very scarce.

I am doing my part...both of my daughters hunt big game!

Aw heck...I reckon we ought to try a little harder at welcoming them in the field.