The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division is inviting 30 women -- 15 pairs of mothers and daughters -- to participate in a Step Outside® program.

The event is scheduled for April 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the DNR Rose Lake Shooting Range in East Lansing. The agenda will include discussing a variety of guns and ammunition, teaching gun and hunter safety items, demonstrating shooting techniques, and also providing plenty of time for participants to shoot.

"The recruitment of both youth and women to our outdoor sports is critical to the mission of the DNR," said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries, who is scheduled to participate in the event. "An event such as this provides an opportunity for first-time shooters to learn fundamentals and have some fun, and it also provides an opportunity to introduce more women to the great outdoors."

Focusing the day on mothers and their daughters is a way to introduce a minority group to our outdoor sports, said DNR staff who are organizing the event.

"We know that participants tend to continue with these types of sports if they have a mentor or family member also participating," said Kelly Siciliano Carter, Wildlife Division information and education coordinator. "We hope a program such as this will help build a new tradition for mothers and daughters and encourage them to participate in outdoor sports."

All materials, including firearms and ammunition, will be provided free of charge to participants. The cost to participate is free. Participation slots will be on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are interested in participating in this event, you and your family member should contact Carter at 517-373-1263 or carterks@michigan.gov.

"Although I am familiar with shooting, I hope to provide guidance and motivation to other woman who may not be familiar with such a sport," Humphries said. "This is a perfect opportunity to learn about an activity that is intrinsic to Michigan’s envied quality of life – enjoying our amazing natural resources."

The event is underwritten by a grant from the National Shooting Sport Foundation Step Outside® program, which is geared at teaching women how to target shoot.

The DNR also has a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program that offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities to women throughout the year. Learn more about that program and locate future events on the DNR Web site.