They Got Guns!

Posted on 29. Sep, 2009 by John Roblinsky in Cougars Defined, Cougars Everywhere

Doug Nadvornick/Northwest News Network

On my way into work this morning I heard an interesting story on NPR entitled, “More Women Hunt, Seeking Food And Togetherness.” It turns out that the number of hunters (of real animals) has fallen over the past 15 years, “But the number of female hunters has held steady — and more young girls than ever are hunting.”

This story intrigued me greatly because of how it potentially correlates to increasing confidence and even aggression among American women.  Of the various reason for why women are entering the sport, family togetherness seems to top the list but there’s also evidence that hunting shows on TV featuring women could be an influence (Cougar Town?).  Hunting for food was also was a reason cited by many women; I guess going to the store isn’t good enough for some women who feel the need to slaughter their prey live.

Jeanine Elias says women make good hunters because she believes they’re more patient than men, and their expectations are lower.

Finally, when potentially courting a cougar, be wary of the dangerous new skills that your big game mistress may possess:

On the ground are two animal carcasses. Julie McKarley is kneeling next to one of them, a dead deer. A conservation officer with the Idaho Fish and Game Department, McKarley is teaching the women how to remove the deer’s innards.

“So I cut through the abdominal wall,” McKarley says, speaking over the sound of nearby rifle shots.

“I have my finger in here. Take your two fingers, or have your finger right behind it, and just cut through. This animal was hit and it’s bloating up, so it’s not going to be as pretty.”

Most of these women have never hunted. But they’re here to learn — about shooting, navigating in the woods and how to prepare what they’ve killed for the trip home.

Yikes, these cougars have claws!

Tags: deer, food, guns, gut, hunters, NPR, radio, skills, tv