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Outdoors Report: Becoming an Outdoors Woman in Montana

Posted at 10:58 AM, Nov 19, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-19 13:03:08-05

CORVALLIS – There’s a new program in Montana that’s helped to create a few more waterfowl hunters this Fall.

Katherine Ogden just harvested her very first duck, thanks to a new program to get women into waterfowl hunting.

“It was so much fun. It was nice to be able to do steps a through d and put everything together throughout the weekend. So just starting from stage one duck ID and then completing it with the hunt,” Ogden said.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman teamed up with the Teller Wildlife Refuge to put on a weekend waterfowl workshop that covered everything from conservation to serving it at the table.

“It wasn’t all about killing. It was about learning the conservation of waterfowl, learning the ID of waterfowl and actually see them put it to use,” said Sam Lawry with the Teller Wildlife Refuge.

One unique component of this program is providing the opportunity to hunt.

“This morning was the best experience I ever had at a bow. I mean, I got to go out and shoot a duck. It was exciting,” Pam Arroues said.

“I think if we want to increase the number of people doing things outside, we need to go that extra step and help them actually learn these things in the field, so they can go on to teach their friends, their family and they can feel confident doing it,” FWP’s Sara Smith said.

The reward for these women was not only the chance to harvest a duck but being able to take their new skills home.

“For me, part of hunting is all about being able to feed my family — that’s why I do it. It’s not necessarily the sport, but being able to feed ourselves wild game…so ya pretty excited!” Annie Bernauer said.

Click here to learn more about the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program.

-FWP’s Winston Greeley reporting for MTN News