My husband Chester and I have two children;
a son and a daughter who are grown and married. We also have a wonderful granddaughter who is 5 and shows promise as a future turkey hunter - that little girl loves her turkey calls and what's more, Nana has taught her how to use them!
I grew up in the south as one of four daughters with parents who enjoyed the outdoors. Mama and Daddy loved to fish and camp, which they shared with us kids at an early age. Daddy also enjoyed wild game hunting. Although we didn't necessarily realize it at the time, our parent's favorite pass times didn't escape us girls.
Because of family obligations coupled with the fact that I lived in a large city (Chicago) for several years, I got away from the outdoors for way too long. Then, three years ago, I attended Women in the Outdoors event where I thankfully found my way 'back home'. Before the first day was over, I knew I'd never be the same again. After coming back home to Kentucky things moved fast. I got involved with my local NWTF chapter and was (almost immediately) appointed coordinator for the chapter's first Women's event. In the meantime, I was named State volunteer Coordinator. Before the date for my first event arrived, I applied for and was hired into a staff position as WITO Regional Coordinator. I held that position for almost two years. In August I made one of the most difficult decisions of my life; to resign from the NWTF. Although I am no longer on staff, my heart and enthusiasm will always be there.
Today I enjoy hunting deer, duck, and turkey, but the wild turkey is my passion! Target shooting, sporting clays and skeet are other favorite pastimes. I thank my parents for instilling an appreciation of nature in me. And I thank my sis, Jan, for bringing me back home where I belong: to the great outdoors.
Through my involvement with the WITO program, I had the opportunity to expand my knowledge and experience tremendously. I witnessed first hand how each of us can impact others. I've literally seen lives change before my eyes as women proved to their own surprise that they COULD DO IT! WOW what a feeling!!! Sharing our knowledge with others and providing a place to learn, and ask questions in a comfortable non-threatening environment is the best ways to assure the future of outdoor sports and our hunting heritage. Here at Women Hunters it is my hope to help provide a place where we can ask any question, get sound advice, grow and learn, find encouragement and build enthusiasm together.
