Sports
Hunter Education
Tuesday, 05 June 2012 by Chuck Kelly
Hundreds of area women will be taking part in the annual Women in the Outdoors event on Saturday, June 9, at Hilliard ranch near Davilla, TX. The all-day event (7:30am-5:30pm) is presented by the Tri-County Longbeards chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federarion.
WITO is dedicated to providing interactive educational outdoor opportunities to women ages 14 and older throughout the nation and local chapters conduct outdoor learning events featuring hands-on activities.
Monica Sobotka of Morgan's Point Resort, the local event coordinator since 2001, says that usually 100 or more women participate in the fun and learning, while as she puts it, "they learn, laugh and lighten up."
The goal is to teach the importance of responsible wildlife management, increase participation in outdoor-related opportunities and to preserve the hunting tradition.
The outdoor activity classes include a myriad of interests, including: archery; astronomy; ATV safety; backyard games; beginning shotgun; bite prevention, dog health and first aid; boat care and safety; bowfishing; car care basics; firearm care and safety; fly fishing 101; handgun fundamentals; kayaking; map and compass; outdoor first aid and medicine; welding; wild game cooking; and more. Classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
"This year, we're supporting the Wounded Warriors and will be collecting donations for the Warrior Family Support Center (WFSC) of Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio," explained Sobotka. "They provide coordinated services to patients, next-of-kin and extended family members with a primary focus on Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Enduring Freedom Wounded Warriors project. Donations such as phone and gift cards, disposable cameras, candy, snacks, DVD's, diapers, formula and personal hygiene products for men, women and children will be appreciated."
Each $5 worth of donations for WFSC earns an entry for a special gift drawing.
In addition, a pink camo 20-guage Remington M870 shotgun will be auctioned off with proceeds divided between the Ronald McDonald House in Temple, Fisher House in Killeen and Rescue Animals in Belton/Temple.
"Also, we're honored to welcome Brenda Valentine, spokeswoman for the NWTF to this year's event," Sobotka added."The national champion archer, world-class hunter, conservationist, author and speaker and First Lady of Hunting has spent a lifetime promoting hunting."
The registration fee of $55 for this year's Women in the Outdoors includes use of all equipment, program material and instruction; a light breakfast and catered- lunch, plus snacks and water; a one year membership in NWTF and a year's subscription to Turkey Country magazine.
Of the registration fee, $35 goes directly back to the Wildlife Turkey Federation for wildlife management.
For additional information and to register, please contact Monica Sobotka at (254) 760-2784, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or Nikki Roberts at (254) 493-2987, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
