2014 WOMEN
IN THE OUTDOORS
Elgin,
Santa
Cruz County, Arizona
October
18th and 19th, 2014
What: The Huachuca Gould’s Chapter of the National
Wild Turkey Federation hosted its (second annual) 2014 Women in the Outdoors event recently. Fourteen enthusiastic ladies gained hands on
experience with firearms and bows in an outdoor setting during a 2-day session.
When: October 18th and 19th, 2014
Where: This Women in the Outdoors event was held on a private ranch just north of Elgin, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
General Information: At the second annual Women in the Outdoors event, volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter assisted participants in acquiring firearm and archery skills. Different this year was the format. Instruction and application were offered over a 2-day weekend campout. Safety and fun were the primary goals for the group. This event was supported by proceeds from the Chapter’s Annual Banquet, fundraiser, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Women in the Outdoors is a nation-wide program for women 14 years of age and older. Trained and expert instructors teach outdoor skills in a noncompetitive setting. An appreciation for land and wildlife conservation is emphasized, also.
This year, 14 ladies participated in the local event. Most lived in the Sierra Vista area; however, some traveled from as far away as Bisbee, Tucson, and Germany.
The weather cooperated fully. With mild morning temperatures in the mid-40s, daytime highs reached the low 80s. Blue skies, scattered clouds, and only a light breeze made this another beautiful, late October weekend in southeastern Arizona.
After a brief orientation at the registration area in the morning, the participants divided into small groups and headed to 4 nearby teaching stations. At Station 1, archery skills were acquired. Station 2 was a small caliber range. Here, participants fired .22 rifles, pistols, and revolvers at paper targets and very small, metal silhouettes. Shotgun safety and handling were discussed at Station 3. Then each student shot at flying clays. New this year was a center fire rifle range at Station 4. Rifles in .22/250 and .243 were fired at targets about 60 to 70 yards away. At all stations, live fire occurred only after learning range safety and proper firearm and bow handling.
Presenters at each station knew their topics well. Backgrounds of the instructors varied from shooting range officers and trap and skeet instructors to members of the local archery club.
A delicious lunch of sandwiches, fruit and vegetable plates, chips, cookies, and refreshments was provided at mid-day on Saturday.
After rotating through all the stations, the ladies returned to base camp in the late afternoon for a little unwinding. As the sun set, wine sampling was offered by 2 local vineyards: the Sonoita Vineyard and the Wilhelm Family Vineyard. A dinner of spaghetti, salad, garlic toast, cake, and refreshments was served, also. Then with some more wine sampling, the group became better acquainted.
On Sunday morning, participants were awakened to a breakfast of scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes, sausage, muffins, coffee, tea, and orange juice. The early risers were treated to a gorgeous sunrise.
Two more sessions were available on Sunday after breakfast. Practical first aid for the outdoors was offered. It was followed by a 3-D archery shootout.
In the mid-morning John Millican, President of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter, told the group of the history and successes of the organization. John highlighted the Gould’s Turkey re-introduction program in southeastern Arizona as well.
By noon, all were on their way home after a great 2 days of fun and learning.
Acknowledgements: Joey Fuller did an outstanding job of organizing the volunteers and coordinating the event!
Instructors were Randy Oliver, Ean Davis, and Ethan Oliver (Archery); Chris Sterner and Dave Winiesdorffer (.22 Range); Steve Ponder and Wayne Kaiser (Shotguns); John Millican and Tom Fuller (Center Fire Rifles); Chris Klasen (First Aid); and Chris Sterner and Ean Davis (3D Archery Shootout).
Wayne, Tom, Joey, and Randy Keiller served double duties as cooks and servers, also.
Providing support at Base Camp and on the ranges were Toni Sterner, Randy Keiller, Mike Strohm, and Tom Deecken.
Thanks go to the Huachuca Mountain Archers and Bowhunters, Huachuca Whitetail Club, and Ducks Unlimited for member and material support to make this event a success.
Justin Watts, Regional Director with the Turkey Federation, made a supportive appearance as well.
A special thank you goes to the Rose Tree Ranch for use of their facilities for the event.
And finally, a very special thanks goes to all the ladies for their enthusiastic participation! We hope to see you again next year!
When: October 18th and 19th, 2014
Where: This Women in the Outdoors event was held on a private ranch just north of Elgin, Santa Cruz County, Arizona
General Information: At the second annual Women in the Outdoors event, volunteers from the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter assisted participants in acquiring firearm and archery skills. Different this year was the format. Instruction and application were offered over a 2-day weekend campout. Safety and fun were the primary goals for the group. This event was supported by proceeds from the Chapter’s Annual Banquet, fundraiser, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Women in the Outdoors is a nation-wide program for women 14 years of age and older. Trained and expert instructors teach outdoor skills in a noncompetitive setting. An appreciation for land and wildlife conservation is emphasized, also.
This year, 14 ladies participated in the local event. Most lived in the Sierra Vista area; however, some traveled from as far away as Bisbee, Tucson, and Germany.
The weather cooperated fully. With mild morning temperatures in the mid-40s, daytime highs reached the low 80s. Blue skies, scattered clouds, and only a light breeze made this another beautiful, late October weekend in southeastern Arizona.
After a brief orientation at the registration area in the morning, the participants divided into small groups and headed to 4 nearby teaching stations. At Station 1, archery skills were acquired. Station 2 was a small caliber range. Here, participants fired .22 rifles, pistols, and revolvers at paper targets and very small, metal silhouettes. Shotgun safety and handling were discussed at Station 3. Then each student shot at flying clays. New this year was a center fire rifle range at Station 4. Rifles in .22/250 and .243 were fired at targets about 60 to 70 yards away. At all stations, live fire occurred only after learning range safety and proper firearm and bow handling.
Presenters at each station knew their topics well. Backgrounds of the instructors varied from shooting range officers and trap and skeet instructors to members of the local archery club.
A delicious lunch of sandwiches, fruit and vegetable plates, chips, cookies, and refreshments was provided at mid-day on Saturday.
After rotating through all the stations, the ladies returned to base camp in the late afternoon for a little unwinding. As the sun set, wine sampling was offered by 2 local vineyards: the Sonoita Vineyard and the Wilhelm Family Vineyard. A dinner of spaghetti, salad, garlic toast, cake, and refreshments was served, also. Then with some more wine sampling, the group became better acquainted.
On Sunday morning, participants were awakened to a breakfast of scrambled eggs, hash browns, pancakes, sausage, muffins, coffee, tea, and orange juice. The early risers were treated to a gorgeous sunrise.
Two more sessions were available on Sunday after breakfast. Practical first aid for the outdoors was offered. It was followed by a 3-D archery shootout.
In the mid-morning John Millican, President of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter, told the group of the history and successes of the organization. John highlighted the Gould’s Turkey re-introduction program in southeastern Arizona as well.
By noon, all were on their way home after a great 2 days of fun and learning.
Acknowledgements: Joey Fuller did an outstanding job of organizing the volunteers and coordinating the event!
Instructors were Randy Oliver, Ean Davis, and Ethan Oliver (Archery); Chris Sterner and Dave Winiesdorffer (.22 Range); Steve Ponder and Wayne Kaiser (Shotguns); John Millican and Tom Fuller (Center Fire Rifles); Chris Klasen (First Aid); and Chris Sterner and Ean Davis (3D Archery Shootout).
Wayne, Tom, Joey, and Randy Keiller served double duties as cooks and servers, also.
Providing support at Base Camp and on the ranges were Toni Sterner, Randy Keiller, Mike Strohm, and Tom Deecken.
Thanks go to the Huachuca Mountain Archers and Bowhunters, Huachuca Whitetail Club, and Ducks Unlimited for member and material support to make this event a success.
Justin Watts, Regional Director with the Turkey Federation, made a supportive appearance as well.
A special thank you goes to the Rose Tree Ranch for use of their facilities for the event.
And finally, a very special thanks goes to all the ladies for their enthusiastic participation! We hope to see you again next year!
001 This Is the Place- The Women in the Outdoor banner welcomes 14 participants to the 2-day, overnight event. Both the base camp and activity stations were located on a ranch north of Elgin, Arizona.
004 Registration- Toni Sterner starts the registration process at 8 on Saturday morning. Assisting her is Jodi Hall.
009 Live Fire- Dixie Millican, Pam Warren, and Linda Scott (front to back) fire away at metal silhouettes and paper targets using rifles provided by the Huachuca Whitetail Club. Instructors Dave Winiesdorffer and Chris Sterner observe the group closely.
012 Good Shooting! - Gabby Gomez points to the bullet holes in her target, this time a paper prairie dog
015 Worth a Picture- Mike Strohm records Linda Scott’s round during a cease fire. Yes Linda, we can see daylight through the target!
018 PULL!- Now for the real deal. Steve Ponder releases a clay pigeon for Patricia Paiz
021 Center Fire Rifles- At the Center Fire Range, John Millican describes safe gun handling, caliber selection, and shooting techniques to Christine Kohls, Annette Misko, and Anika Gundmanu.
024 Quite a Selection- Pictured is just a portion of the wines available for tasting.
027 Early Risers- While the cooks prepare Sunday breakfast one of the event participants loosens up some stiff joints. Too much wine sampled the night before?
030 Practical First Aid for the Outdoors- After breakfast, Chris Klasen from Ducks Unlimited starts off a session on first aid for the group. To the right of Chris is Joey Fuller, event organizer.
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002 Base Camp- A bunkhouse with several rooms and beds was available for sleeping. Those with RVs parked nearby.
005 Archery Instruction- After a brief orientation the ladies were shuttled out to the nearby activity stations. At the Archery Range, Randy Oliver (red shirt) from the Huachuca Mountain Archers and Bowhunters describes the basics of bow shooting.
007 Take Aim- Patricia Paiz focuses on a target before releasing an arrow down range.
010 Bulls Eye Dead Center- Aiming carefully at the black bulls eye is Patricia Paiz.
013 A Closer Look- Up close Gabby Gomez’s target shows a tight group around the red dot on the prairie dog.
016 Lunch Is Served - Participants take a break at mid-day on Saturday for lunch near the activity stations. Overseeing the buffet table is Joey Fuller (left).
019 Track that Bird- Patricia Paiz swings her shotgun onto the rapidly disappearing clay.
022 Fire in the Hole- Christine Kohls takes aim at a paper target down range. Looking on are Annette Misko, Anika Gundmanu, and John Millican.
025 Dinner is Served- A spaghetti dinner was served to the group on Saturday evening as well. Filling those plates are (left to right) Tommy Fuller, Randy Keiller, Joey Fuller, and Wayne Kaiser.
028 Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs Coming Up- As the scrambled eggs cook, Tommy Fuller prepares the pancake mix. Joey Fuller assists.
031 3-D Archery Shootout- The second Sunday morning activity was a 3-D Shoot. Drawing a bead on a target is Dixie Millican (far right). Looking on (left to right) are Kristi Piaz, Pam Warren, Toni Sterner, Jodi Hall, and Coach Ean Davis.
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003 Working Ranch- The bunkhouse and surrounding area are part of a working ranch on the west side of the Mustang Mountains.
006 Archery Range- Putting words into action, the archers fire away at a variety of targets. Seen from left to right are Jodi Hall, Patricia Paiz, Susan Day, and Kristi Paiz. Their instructors, Ean Davis and Randy Oliver, look on.
008 .22 LR Range Instruction- Chris Sterner explains the safe use of a pistol to Pam Warren at the .22 Range prior to any gun handling.
011 Soft Trigger Squeeze- Carolina Neuenfeldt concentrates on a target holding a .22 LR revolver.
014 Same Results- Mercedes Faut points proudly to her grouping at the .22 LR Range.
017 Shotgun Instruction- After lunch the small groups headed back to the shooting stations. At the Shotgun Range, Wayne Kaiser demonstrates the safe handling of a semi-automatic. Looking on (left to right) are Randy Keiller, Pam Warren, Dixie Millican, and Linda Scott. To the left of Wayne is another instructor, Steve Ponder.
020 And Poof!- Nice hit. Only a puff is left of the “bird” shot by Patricia Paiz.
023 Meanwhile back at the Ranch- After a brief rest in the late afternoon, the evening wine tasting starts. Offering samples of their local fare are Lori Reynolds (Sonoita Vineyards) on the left and Karyl Wilhelm (Wilhelm Family Vineyards).
026 Sunday Sunrise- A beautiful sunrise over the Mustang Mountains marks the start of Sunday morning.
029 Come and Get It!- The breakfast line forms quickly once the old dinner bell was rung. Behind the counter are Wayne Kaiser (left) and Tommy Fuller.
032 Closing Remarks- Following the Shootout John Millican, President of the Huachuca Gould’s Chapter, describes the success story of the Gould’s Turkey in southeastern Arizona. He highlighted the Chapter’s community and other wildlife oriented activities to the participants as well.
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033 Last Minute Visitors- Is it too late to register? While John talks, a small herd of Mule Deer looks on curiously from a nearby pasture.
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034 Camp Breakdown- Disassembly of the cook tent is really an easy task. Just do whatever Joey Fuller says.
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035 Don’t Forget Me- Despite the nearby bustle of the camp teardown, one helper seems unfazed. Mommy (Joey), wake me when it is time to go home, I'm tired!
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036 Thank You Ladies- Participants of 2014 Women of the Outdoors pose for a group portrait on Sunday. Behind them in the distance are the Santa Rita Mountains. Well done ladies!