You can sign up for one or all of the classes based on your skill level. To attend the hunts you must be have your firearm safety certification (FAS).

Part 1: Introduction to Upland Bird Hunting for Women/Registration– Cabela’s, Rogers

April 21, 2013, 1 – 5 p.m., Free. Limit 50. Register by emailinglinda.bylander@state.mn.us

Topics: Species, seasons/regulations, equipment, how to dress. We will walk through Cabela’s to explain ammunition, guns, and equipment.

Part 2: Upland Bird Hunting Basics & Gun Basics – Wings North, Pine City May 5, 2013, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Fee $41. Register using the BOW registration form.

Learn the basics of upland bird hunting including where to hunt, gun basics and practice shooting. Guns, ammunition, targets and lunch are provided.

Part 3: Practice Shooting – Horse and Hunt Club, Prior Lake

May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, & September 9, 2013 (Second Monday evenings). Fee for clays is $22 per evening. Register through Sandy atsandybow@gmail.com

Topics: Gun handling, shooting practice, wing shooting basics, how to clean a gun, and proper transportation of guns. Bring your own gun and ammunition for this program. Come to one or all the evenings for practice shooting with women.

Part 4: Shooting Sports Class – Wings North, Pine CitySeptember 28, 2013, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Fee $44. Limit 20. Register using the BOW registration form.

Learn about different types of firearms then shoot from standing targets and moving targets. After lunch you will learn how to clean guns. Lunch, equipment and ammunition are included.

Part 5: Mentored Women’s Game Farm Pheasant Hunt– Wings North, Pine City

September 29, 2013, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Fee $85. Limit 20.Register using the BOW registration form.

Game farm hunts are a great way for a beginner hunter to learn how to shoot in the field with planted birds. Mentors and their dogs will guide you through the field. Learn how to anticipate a flushing bird, range of safe shooting and how to hunt in a group. A bird cleaning class will follow the hunt along with a pheasant lunch. Hunters need their own guns and ammunition. Prerequisite is a firearm safety certificate and a shooting class. A hunting license is not required for game farm hunts.

Part 6: Ruffed Grouse & Woodcock Hunt– Mille Lacs Wildlife Management AreaOctober 12, 2013, 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 pm, Fee $20. Limit 20. Register by emailing Donna atDonnafishnhunt@yahoo.com.Small game hunting license with HIP certification, your own gun and ammunition are required.

Part 7: Free Mentored Pheasant Hunt – Various Locations by Pheasant’s Forever & Ruffed Grouse Society

Linda Bylander

Becoming an Outdoors Woman Coordinator

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

1601 Minnesota Drive

Brainerd, MN 56401

218-833-8628

linda.bylander@state.mn.us

The post NEW! Women’s Upland Bird Hunting Series appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.

“Many people may not fully comprehend how important hunting and fishing are to the fabric of this country. Yet there are more people who hunt or fish than go bowling, and their spending would land them at #24 on the Fortune 500 list,” commented Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “CSF has put together this report, utilizing data from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the American Sportfishing Association and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, in order to provide these real-world comparisons to what many consider more ‘mainstream’ industries and activities.”

The NSSF report, part of the foundation for CSF’s information, provides a detailed look at hunters and the trends in participation and spending. Information on 40-plus categories of U.S. hunting-related expenditures, which grew 55 percent, are outlined in NSSF’s report as well as state by state statistics for number of hunters, retail sales, taxes and jobs.

“The major growth of spending by hunters is good news for businesses throughout the country, particularly small businesses in rural areas,” said NSSF President and CEO Steve Sanetti. “It also is gratifying to see the nine percent increase in hunting participation. Not only is the traditional male hunter going afield more often, but more women and novices are going hunting as well, demonstrating the widespread appeal of this great outdoors tradition.”

Intended to provide a series of “sound bites” that resonate within the outdoor community as well as the general public, the CSF report spotlights some of the most compelling data for hunters and anglers. For example, the 15.5 million hunters age 6 and up could fill every NASCAR track, NFL stadium, NBA arena, MLB ballpark and NHL rink in the country more than twice (15.5 million vs. 7.2 million combined capacity). In addition, anglers spent $47.7 billion in 2011, which is more than the revenues for Lockheed Martin that year ($46.9 billion). Similar comparisons for many other participation and spending statistics are found throughout the CSF report.

The fishing industry also developed a more detailed analysis of anglers’ impacts on the nation’s economy and fisheries conservation that was released earlier this month. The American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation reports that the number of anglers increased 11 percent since 2006 while fishing tackle sales grew more than 16 percent. When expenditures are multiplied by the nation’s 60 million anglers, their dollars have a significant impact on our nation’s economy.

A number of reports strongly indicate that American families identify fishing as one of the best ways to spend quality time together. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, fishing as a leisure-time activity ranks higher than playing basketball or softball, skateboarding, jogging or hiking.

“Sportfishing is more than just a traditional American pastime, it is a powerful economic force, an unparalleled contributor to conservation and a vital part of the American culture,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “Hidden, but none-the-less real, is the multiplying factor that effectively triples what an angler spends on fishing tackle when the initial expenditure ripples through the economy in terms of dollars spent on travel, food, lodging, gas and other amenities.”

A new component of the CSF report this year is the inclusion of details on the recreational boating industry. Research from the National Marine Manufacturers Association shows that more than one million boats changed hands in 2011 with sales of all watercraft (including sail boats, personal water craft, etc.), totaling $15 billion. In addition, 83 million adults in the U.S. participated in recreational boating that year.

“NMMA is pleased to see the uptick in participation not just within the recreational boating and fishing industries, but in outdoor activities as a whole,” said NMMA Legislative Director, Jim Currie. “Not only do these activities contribute to the economies of small businesses, they ensure that tax dollars are allocated towards important conservation efforts that will keep our waterways, parks and lands available enjoyable for years to come.”

Beyond the impact to businesses and local economies, sportsmen and women are the leaders in protecting fish and wildlife and their habitats. When you combine license and stamp fees, motorboat fuels, excise taxes on hunting and fishing equipment and membership contributions to conservation organizations, hunters and anglers directed $3 billion towards on-the-ground conservation and restoration efforts in 2011 — that is over $95 every second. This does not include their own habitat acquisition and restoration work for lands owned or leased for the purpose of hunting and fishing, which would add another $11 billion to the mix.

The post Sportsmen’s Economic Impact Report Shows Increase in Hunting and Fishing Participation, Expenditures appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.

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• Spring WILL get here eventually.  Walleye opener is less than a month away on May 11.  Keep in mind late ice out and continued cold temperatures may lead to closures on lakes where the walleye spawn has not occurred. Watch for information on those areas closer to opening day.
  • Water and cool temperatures are a ticket for hypothermia or exposure issues. More people die from or suffer from hypothermia in the spring and fall than in the winter.  Why!!!  Because we think it is warm and we are safe from hypothermia….far from the truth.
  • Wind, water and temperatures are the three elements that cause hypothermia. With fishing opener in mind be sure to dress in layers.
  • Always carry rain gear with you and prepare for weather changes.
  •  Eat a hearty meal before you go on the water and partake of alcohol and caffeine in small doses.
  • Watch for changes in weather, increase in winds, lower temps, and light precip. These are all signs weather is changing and you need to redress accordingly.
  • If you begin to shiver remember that is the first sign of hypothermia and it’s time to get out of the elements.  Keep an eye on others in your party for signs of hypothermia- shivering, loss of motor skills.

The post Tips and Tidbits appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.

“We Can Do It!” blares across the top of the famous poster from World War II featuring a woman flexing her arm in the rolled up sleeve of a blue denim work shirt.

            That image is a caricature known as “Rosie the Riveter” and she turned 70-years old last week reminding us of how far things have come. Her likeness adorns the wall of my three-year-old daughters bedroom as well as a refrigerator magnet in our kitchen. “Girls can do anything,” is what my daughter thinks it says and I couldn’t agree with her more.

            That image on that famous Rosie the Riveter poster is similar to Akinseye in that it features a woman who obviously works hard but also has make-up on her face. The main difference is that in the 1940s, a man painted the image expecting women to be tough while also maintaining her looks for his sake.

The post Today’s woman proudly defines how she enjoys the outdoors and presents herself appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.

Learn how to: select the best lakes in all seasons, use three magic words to consistently catch fish, choose the best lures and techniques for each species, and make a slip-bobber rig, jig worm, and weedless plastic worm to take home. Plus door prizes, free maps, booklets, and other fun stuff.

Wed. May 1 St. Paul: Central High School    $27

275 Lexington Parkway No., St. Paul, MN 55104    6:30 – 9:00 P.M.

To register: http://commedprograms.spps.org    651-293-8634

Thurs. May 2 St. Louis Park: Lenox Community Center     $25

6715 Minnetonka Blvd., St. Louis Park, MN 55426    6:30 – 9:00 P.M.

To register: http://stlouispark.registryinsight.com    952-928-6442

Tues. May 7 Richfield: Central School    $23

7145 Harriet Ave So., Richfield, MN 55423    6:30 – 9:00 P.M

To register: www.BloomingtonRichfieldCommunityEducation.com    952-681-6132

Mon. May 13 Hastings: Hastings High School    $22

200 General Sieben Dr., Hastings, MN 55033    6:30 – 9:00 P.M.

To register: https://hastings.thatscommunityed.com     651-480-7670

Weds. May 15 Champlin: Champlin Park High School    $25

6025 109th Ave. No. Champlin, MN 55316    6:30 – 9:00 P.M.

To register: www.DiscoverCommunityEd.com    763-506-5766

Thurs. May 16 Bloomington: Kennedy High School    $23

9701 Nicollet Ave., Bloomington, MN 55420    6:30 – 9:00 P.M.

To register: www.BloomingtonRichfieldCommunityEducation.com    952-681-3132

Mon. May 20 Prior Lake – Savage: Twin Oaks Middle School    $29

15860 Woodside Rd. SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372    6:30 – 9:00 P.M

To register: http://priorlake.registryinsight.com    952-226-0080

Tues., May 21 Minneapolis: Roosevelt High School     $15

4029 28th Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN 55406    6:30 – 9:00 P.M.

To register: http://www.mplscommunityed.com    612-668-4828

The post How To Fish Twin Cities Lakes – Spring 2013 Community Education Classes appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.

The post Minnesota Fly Fishers Events appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.

“The purpose of our group is to encourage women to network and share their hunting and fishing skills and experiences with other women,” said Betty Wilkins on of the founders of the organization.  The groups hopes to do that by exposure at events across the state and   by cooperating with the Becoming An Outdoors Woman program and other women’s instructional programs.

The website you are seeing is an avenue for women to share their experiences and information that might benefit other women who are either new to the sport or want to try a new form of hunting or fishing.  Soon we through our social media site ladies well have a chance to converse directly with other women on their interests and activities.   This is one way that women that want to hunt and fish can find mentors or trips they could join.  We also invite you to share guide experiences,  equipment hat you find works well or not at all and new sources for women’s gear or programs. Input is always welcome.

The post Women Hunting and Fishing in All Seasons Has Their Debut appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/blogs/200759741.html

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/blogs/191940771.html

The post In search of fish on the ice! appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.

• Water and cool temperatures are a ticket for hypothermia or exposure issues. More people die from or suffer from hypothermia in the spring and fall than in the winter.  Why!!!  Because we think it is warm and we are safe from hypothermia….far from the truth.
• Wind, water and temperatures are the three elements that cause hypothermia. With fishing opener in mind be sure to dress in layers.
• Always carry rain gear with you and prepare for weather changes.
•  Eat a hearty meal before you go on the water and partake of alcohol and caffeine in small doses.
• Watch for changes in weather, increase in winds, lower temps, and light precip. These are all signs weather is changing and you need to redress accordingly.
• If you begin to shiver remember that is the first sign of hypothermia and it’s time to get out of the elements.  Keep an eye on others in your party for signs of hypothermia- shivering, loss of motor skills.

The post Thoughts on Spring appeared first on Women Hunting and Fishing In All Seasons.