I am so proud of my good friend Caitlyn. She's been bit by the hunting bug.
I met Caitlin this past winter on a woman's snow shoe hike organized by, Rocky Mountain Sportswomen of Steamboat Springs and Routt County.
As avid hunters and fisher, the woman of Rocky Mountain Sportswomen strive to provide opportunities for woman to come together and get more involved with conservation and the outdoors through hunting and fishing. They hope to change the face of hunting and become role models in the outdoor industry.
And personally, I can say they already have.
Growing up with nine brothers hunting was something I learned from a young age, and now at age 29 I've got some experience under my belt, but not all of us woman are so lucky. I know of many woman who want to learn to hunt, and harvest their own meat but don't know where to start. I get it, it can be overwhelming to become a new hunter, especially as a woman. From what gear to buy, how to get tags, where to hunt, and the most common question I've been asked, is "how do I get my hunters safety certificate?"
If you are serious about getting involved in conservation through hunting and fishing please don't hesitate to contact me or Rocky Mountain Sportswomen at www.rockymountainsportswomen.com
I've only just met Caitlin a few months ago, but I feel as though we've known each other for a lifetime now, like a long lost soul sister. Recently Caitlin had an awakening that there's more to life than drinking and partying and has found patience, endurance, and respect for the process in the quiet moments and along the ridge lines she hiked.
So, I asked her "what are some things hunting has taught you?"
Caitlin talks about how she's learned to keep pushing through when the going gets tough, and that nature is badass, scary and beautiful.
Kind of like life.
I personally witnessed this during the past couple days as we chased turkeys, and it made my heart so full. Only us hunters know these feelings/awakenings I'm talking about here. And people often ask me, why I'm a hunting guide. Well, there are many answers and honestly I can write a book about it (psst, I actually am) but being able to teach someone so eager to learn through first hand experience, is very fullfilling.
As hunters, we all take away something different from the valleys and mountains we cross, as we pursue wild game. And as the miles add up on our boots our yearning for these moments only grow stronger.
Caitlin, you must know I'm not the only badass in this picture.
And for the rest of you, if you are looking to get into hunting, you know how to get ahold of me. Although, there's not great cell service in the mountains, so leave a message and I'll get back to you when I climb down.
As my good friend Peter says, happy trails.
Good luck and stay safe out there.