Becoming An Outdoors Woman

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By: Susan Herrgesell
June 17, 2001

The "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" program was developed to meet the needs of a segment of society that has been largely ignored by agencies, manufacturers, and clubs. It started on August 25, 1990 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a one-day workshop called "Breaking Down the Barriers to Participation of Women in Angling and Hunting". The workshop was sponsored by the College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; and the Regional and Environmental studies program at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. The objective of the workshop was to identify the barriers to participation, discuss strategies that have been used in addressing these barriers and to develop strategies that participants could use in their own situations.

The workshop was attended by 65 participants and speakers. The attendants represented a very broad base. There were hunters and anglers who came from personal interest. The Wisconsin Coon Hunters Association, the Wisconsin Bear Hunter Association, Badger Fly Fishers and the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation were all represented. In addition, the Wisconsin Hunter Education Association sent a number of their members. National representatives from both Safari Club International and the National Rifle Association attended. One surprise was that personnel from the fish and game management agencies from Iowa, Georgia and Virginia attended. There were requests for information from the conference from at least 20 other agencies.

A Brief Overview of the Findings of the Barriers Workshop

The workshop participants were divided into seven small groups. Each group had approximately nine members. Individuals were assigned to groups in such a way that each group represented as nearly as possible a cross section of the group as a whole. Groups met in separate rooms and were charged with the task of producing a list of barriers to participation of women in angling and hunting, from the point of view of the group members. The following list summarizes the barriers that were generated by the groups, as well as the number of groups that listed a particular barrier.

Barrier	# of Votes
Image of sport as portrayed by anti-hunting movement	7
Expense or availability of suitable equipment	7
Social pressure from peers, significant others, family members, male hunters or outfitters who view hunting as a man's sport	6
Lack of female role models	5
Raised in non-hunting or angling family situation	5
Image of "slob" hunter or "rambo" attitude is a turn-off	5
Lack of information	5
Increased urbanization of society	4
Lack of time	4
Seen as dangerous	4
Single parent families	4
Early childhood conditioning	3
Fear of looking stupid	3
Co-ed facility problems	3
Lack of places to go	3
Isolation of being only female	2
Tradition	2
Fear of Guns	1
Attitude of agency personnel	1
Attitude toward game vs. packaged meat	1
Vanity	1

In the years following this workshop 47 states and six provinces in Canada have adopted the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program through their state fish and wildlife agencies.

California adopted the "Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" program in 1994. It is sponsored through the Department of Fish and Game. A statewide advisory committee was formed, and the program was organized and implemented by volunteers. In 1998 a full time Coordinator and full time Office Technician were secured. From 1994 to 1998 two workshops annually were conducted; one in northern California and one in southern California. Each workshop accommodates 100 participants. The program expanded in 1999 to three workshops and to six in 2000. All workshops have been full to capacity. To date, the program has trained over 1200 women in outdoor activities through this workshop format. The statewide advisory committee is still in place to assist the coordinator in overall planning. Workshop committees are also in place to help conduct the workshops. The committee members are mostly Department employees.

The upcoming 2001 fishing workshops are as follows:
September 15-16, Sport Fishing, Santa Barbara County, $150
September 20-23, Fly Fishing, Shasta County - $120

There are many other workshops available. For more information, contact Susan Herrgesell, Program Manager, (916) 653-7448

Copyright Information
"Becoming an Outdoors-Woman" is protected by copyrights of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and are registered marks in Wisconsin. The Department of Fish and Game has obtained written permission to use the name and logo of Becoming an Outdoors-Woman.

Originally published May 9, 2000