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commentMore than 70 women participated in the Izaak Walton League's fourth annual Loudoun is for Women in the Outdoors program Saturday.
Sponsored by the John S. Mosby Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Loudoun County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the program is intended for women only, providing an atmosphere where risks can be taken and confidence built without fear of criticism or reproach.
Participants select two classes from a list of 11 offerings, ranging from bird watching to rifle marksmanship.
In the morning class, 11 women joined shotgun shooting instructor Dan Davis just outside the clubhouse, which served as the eatery and orientation facility. Davis began by explaining the basics of a shotgun-parts, the difference between caliber and gauge and safety features. After nearly an hour of instruction, the class proceeded to the skeet course, a grass and concrete half-circle. Armed with a shotgun, each woman lined up and began the first round of shooting at clay pigeons launched into the air.
Some women had never even touched a gun in their lives. One woman remarked her biggest fear was to pick up and shoot a gun-and she joined the program to conquer that fear. There was a wide range of experience, some having taken the same course at last year's event, others having been dutifully instructed by their husbands who wished to take them along on future hunting trips. After two rounds of targeting the fast-moving pigeons, nearly every woman's shot improved. Still, there was surprise at how intimidating handling the weapon was even after an entire morning's experience under the belt.
"You're shaking," said Patricia, one of the more adept shooters noted. Indeed, several women commented about the feeling of adrenaline coursing through their veins each time they stepped up to the pad to shoot. Davis, a patient and thoughtful instructor who was never far away, hovering and offering tips, explained the practical purpose of a class like this even if one never intended to hunt or play skeet.
"A shotgun is the most effective weapon for home defense. There are few sounds as instantly recognizable as a pump-action shotgun. If an intruder hears that, you better believe-if he's smart-he'll get out of the house," said Davis, debunking a common myth that handguns provide the best defense for a home.
The remainder of the class was spent sharing gun stories, discussing how it felt to shoot and musing how this knowledge might later impact the lives of the participants. Even without the personal purchase of shotguns, participants agreed that it felt good to know what to do with one, if ever a situation called for such knowledge.
During the noontime lunch break, participants were treated to a lecture on foxhunting and a horn-blowing demonstration by Loudoun West Hunt's Martyn and Sue Blackmore. The Blackmores, who had brought along a trailer-full of hounds to meet, explained the finer points of their profession.
Outdoor Survival Skills was among the afternoon programs and nine women joined instructors Chris Arrington and Bruce Irle. The aim was to convey the basics of what to do if "something bad happens" in the outdoors. After watching a short survival film, each had an indelible image of how frightening it can be if one does not know what to do when injury, getting lost or inclement weather strikes. The women listened carefully to the list of preparations to make whenever embarking on an outdoor trip of any consequence. After the horror stories, it seemed guaranteed that everyone in the class would resolve to never leave home without telling someone their intended destination, checking the weather and packing a well-planned survival kit.
The subject that generated the most interest was learning the art of fire making. Arrington and Irle offered several methods to employ when attempting to light a fire from simply carrying waterproof matches to understanding how steel wool and a battery can start a hot ember. A first attempt by one participant using the old-fashioned bow-and-block method-rapidly twisting a wooden shaft into a notch made in another board, attempting to create enough friction to ignite the tinder below-left her quite frustrated and ultimately unsuccessful. Though some methods were more difficult than others, everyone eventually managed to build fires of their own.
"This was very good. We did map and compass and I think we could really use that knowledge," said Mary Wysocki. Her daughter Rebecca added, "I wish there was something like this for guys where they wouldn't be intimidated to learn this stuff. It'd be nice for them to have a program like this. We'll definitely be back next year."
Robin Juni had an "enjoyable and worthwhile time. I did learn some things to augment the knowledge I already had."
At the exit, volunteer Elizabeth Siegert conveyed her satisfaction. "I felt the day was very successful. This was our best year yet for turnout. I'm hearing many positive comments from women saying they learned something new and really stretched themselves."
Siegert noted an emerging trend among women who took part, "I've noticed women who had been through our program in the past donated between $5-$15 so another woman could attend next year. To me, that is a very big compliment."
For photos of the event, look on the Lens on Loudoun section of the website.Lens on Loudoun
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