10/4/2005

Becoming Outdoors Women
by Joe Wilkinson

Cautiously, each of the dozen kayakers dug in with their paddles. The stiff breeze was a factor, though most were making headway as they fell a 'left-right rhythm' with their strokes. Besides, on this 30-acre lake, these novice paddlers couldn't get blown too far off course. Which was good, since there was outdoor cooking to try, too. And tent pitching, fishing, archery and firearms handling, too.

Often, the challenge is trying to fit in all the sessions you want, during these Becoming an Outdoors Woman weekends. "Kayaking, definitely," responded Monica Gulling, when asked about her favorite session. "You're by yourself. It was great. Canoeing was quite a bit more difficult (when) the wind really picked up." Like many of the 70 women here, Gulling, from Runnells, had come with a friend-Lori Duer--to this outdoor skills workshop.

Kayaking got the nod from her, too. "Archery came in pretty close, though," admitted Duer. "I'd never done it before. It's hard to at first; the tugging on your arm. After a few times, though, it gets easier. It's actually fun when you hit your target."

For 10 years, women from across Iowa have come to the Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshops as novices on Friday and left Sunday as---well, beginners. With dormitory lodging and group meals at Springbrook Education Center, in Guthrie County, they are not totally 'roughing it.' But the surroundings and the skills are the real thing. "It is meant to be an introductory skills class; for women who are interested in the outdoors, but maybe have not had the opportunity to try some of them," explained B.O.W. coordinator Julie Sparks, from the Department of Natural Resources. "Hopefully, that provides enough information; enough experience for them to go back home and practice some of those skills on their own."

"I have cleaned fish!" laughed Dulling. "All by myself; a real accomplishment." Dulling was also proud of at least getting into the vicinity of the three-dimensional targets during archery/bowhunting class.

Stacey Sells, of Iowa City, had not held a bow in her hands since junior high PE class. "Back then, I just remembered (the released drawstring) bruising my arm. I was hesitant," admitted Sells. "They showed me how to bend my elbow a bit as I shoot, though. I enjoyed it." Sells doesn't expect to take up bowhunting as a result, but is checking into some area 3D courses to polish her new skill. Likewise, she wouldn't mind keeping up with her renewed firearms skills. "I hadn't fired a gun since my Dad took me hunting when I was 10 or 12," recalled Sells. "I hit some (clay) targets with the shotgun. I actually put three (22 caliber rifle) shots into the Queen of Hearts playing card we had as a target."

A friend found the B.O.W. workshop on the Internet and convinced Sells to come along. Like many of the other 'first timers,' Sells admitted she was a bit intimidated going in. But that didn't last long. "The instructors were very patient. They provided a basic understanding. In the fishing segment, we learned how to identify different fish. Then we sat out and caught a lot of fish!"

And a lot of those first timers, become repeat customers. "A lot of women have introduced friends to the program. They take it home to their kids," said Sparks. "And that's the whole idea; to spread the word...to get more people involved in the outdoors."

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