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For many, the default image of a hunter is still male. This cultural picture has been slow to change, even as more women are stepping into the field. Data from the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation shows that women now make up 10% to 15% of all hunters in America. There’s been a steady rise in female target shooters as well, with the percentage increasing from 17.1% in 2020 to 25% in 2022.
The numbers tell part of the story, but what often goes unnoticed is that women bring a different perspective and set of preparations to extended hunts. Long hunts are not simple weekend excursions. They require planning for nutrition, stamina, health, and in some cases, family responsibilities.
For female hunters, the preparation includes not only gear but also considerations unique to their biology and personal safety. In this article, let’s explore how female hunters can better prepare for those longer hunts.
Believe in Yourself, Hunting is Actually in Your DNA
For new female hunters, there can sometimes be a mental barrier. They have apprehensions and wonder if this is really something that they can do. To walk for days, stalk prey, endure weather shifts, and maintain focus all seem quite physically challenging.
However, many of these inhibitions seem to be social conditioning. We’re now learning through new studies how, in the past, women were very much hunters and not just gatherers.
According to Dr. Cara Ocobock
, both men and women participated in ambush-style hunting of large animals. More interestingly, prehistoric women still hunted even when pregnant, breastfeeding, and carrying children.
So, you very much have it in you! Once you mentally believe in yourself, everything starts to get easier.
Women-Specific Preparations to Make
Most online guides to hunts, let alone extended hunts, are written with male hunters in mind. However, women have several considerations that need to be taken into account. Menstrual management is one obvious aspect. On multi-day hunts, packing reliable supplies or sustainable alternatives like menstrual cups can reduce stress and keep hygiene under control.
Remember, on longer hunts, it’s likely that you’ll be far from civilization, so it’s extra important that hygiene is a priority. The last thing you want is to get an infection out in the wild.
Likewise, if you’re going along with your partner for a hunting retreat, remember to consider pregnancy prevention. Some options, like Depo-Provera, may seem convenient since it’s an injection and lasts for twelve weeks. However, as TorHoerman Law attorneys would advise, this contraceptive has been known to come with some serious side effects, so beware and look for safer alternatives.
Likewise, it’s also worth noting that women are more prone to stress fractures and joint strain due to differences in bone density and hip alignment. Thus, pay extra attention to the proper selection of boots, layered socks, and trekking poles so you reduce the impact on the body.
Remember to Factor in the Why of Hunting
An extended hunt is as much a test of the mind as it is of the body. Days can pass without a clear shot, weather can shift suddenly, and patience is stretched thin. It’s in those moments that you have to remember why you do what you do.
One female hunter, Jessica Reed, shares her story with The Guardian and explains how the modern disgust for meat is a detachment from life and death. Reed critiques the elitism and moral high ground that those espousing veganism like to take. She’s a self-professed liberal, but one who loves hunting.
For her, it appears that the disgust many feel toward meat is not moral clarity but a sign of forgetting the realities of existence. Having a core belief that what you’re doing is worth it is going to be critical to sustain you during those long stretches of silence and effort. This is also relevant from another angle.
As one study
notes, women are often expected to be ‘softening influences’ and to conform to emphasised femininity. One female hunter received comments like “It’s not always that a hunting team improves by having women in the team.”
Thus, it’s good to remember the bias that female hunters face and use it as motivation when you’re out in the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is the most famous female hunter?
If we’re talking contemporary hunters, a few names really stand out. Hannah Barron is huge online for her noodling and hunting videos, Eva Shockey Brent built a career as a TV personality and author, and Jana Waller Bair is well-known for hosting Skull Bound Chronicles. All three are widely recognized today.
2. Did female hunters exist?
Absolutely. Archaeological evidence shows women hunted thousands of years ago, even while pregnant or carrying children. Modern research keeps breaking the old myth that only men hunted.
3. How do you prepare for hunting?
Preparation isn’t just about grabbing a rifle and heading out. You’ll want to scout the area, pack gear suited to the weather, and bring enough food and water. Physical training, patience, and mental focus are equally important for making any hunt successful.
Ultimately, extended hunts ask more than a weekend outing ever could. For female hunters, the preparation covers history, philosophy, logistics, and health. Modern statistics confirm that more women are embracing hunting, but the meaning goes deeper.
You will need to recognize that in the wild, the challenges can be more mental than physically demanding. So, besides packing your bags, spend some time reflecting on why you enjoy hunting and let it sustain you out there.