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December 6th, 2009
 Women’s participation in hunting and the shooting sports is going up, according to new data from the National Sporting Goods Association. Between 2003 and 2008, the number of women hunting with firearms rose from 2.1 million to 2.9 million; women who bowhunt rose from 400,000 to 600,000; and women who target shoot increased from 4.1 million to 4.8 million. Guides and outfitters are seeing women as a growing market, and gun clubs seeking members are often shocked at how many women will sign up, if simply given some friendly instruction. There is now even a dedicated magazine just for lady hunters, Woman Hunter.
These nationwide figures are consistent with the participation trends NRA has seen in its Women On Target program, which began in 1999. Women On Target conducts women-only hunts and instructional shooting clinics. Both provide a venue for experienced women hunters and shooters to mentor newcomers.
 While the mainstream media may be surprised that women have any interest in guns, the Women On Target program proves otherwise. The number of clubs running Women On Target shooting clinics rose 37% from 211 in 2007 to 289 in 2009. A total of 6,066 women attended those clinics in 2007, and there should nearly 8,000 by the end of 2009—a 32% increase. The program’s women-only hunts are growing steadily. Ten hunts are planned for 2010. Click here for 2010 hunt schedule.
Editor’s Comment: Signing up more women members may be the single most important thing gun clubs can do to improve “public relations”. In mainstream media reports on firearms, the bias is too often negative. However, when women shooters/hunters are the focus of a media story, the overall slant is often very positive. The news media like stories about women who succeed in a male-dominated sport such as shooting. Moreover, women-only shooting events are usually shown to be fun and “empowering”, while women shooters are, more often than not, portrayed in a positive light.
November 3rd, 2009
 Donna Vandermolen, the NRA’s 2009 Woman of Distinction award recipient, is featured at KBTX.com in both a video and a written article. Donna is a respected firearms instructor in Conroe, Texas. CLICK HERE to view the KBTX video report and story featuring Donna.
“If you’re going to shoot, you need to be able to handle your firearm safely,” Donna says to the KBTX camera. Vandermolen earned the NRA’s Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction award in honor of her many years of service as a firearms instructor, and in recognition of her efforts to promote firearms safety. Donna has a strong interest in teaching women about firearms and correct safety and firearm-handling skills. Donna successfully pioneered “ladies-only” entry-level handgun classes that have introduced hundreds of women to safe firearm use.
Vandermolen became the first woman Five-Gun Expert with the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), where she serves as a certified Safety Officer. Donna is an NRA Certified Pistol Instructor, a Personal Protection In the Home Instructor, and a Range Safety Officer. Donna is a fixture at Lone Star College’s Second Amendment Academy, which educates students and constituents on Second Amendment freedoms, political and legal issues, and firearms licensing.
Donna says: “I am committed to empowering women to take responsibility for their personal protection, develop their skills in firearms as a tool for defense, and understand that the protection of the Second Amendment is critical for their ability to remain empowered. Let’s support the Second Amendment and keep our freedoms intact.”
May 3rd, 2009
Many shooting instructors will tell you that women are better “natural learners” than men when it comes to shooting. We certainly know that ladies can compete at the highest level with men, when given the opportunity. To promote female participation in the shooting sports, the NRA offers a series of Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics. These introductory classes demonstrate safe firearms handling, teach basic shooting skills, and introduce lady shooters to a variety of shooting disciplines — from trap shooting to bullseye pistol.
In 2009, the NRA will conduct Women On Target® Clinics throughout the nation. CLICK HERE to find a clinic near your location. Below is a list of clinics scheduled for the next two weeks:
5/6/09 Anchorage, AK
5/9/09 Washington, MI
5/9/09 Randolph, KS
5/9/09 Chino, CA
5/9/09 Milton Freewater, OR
5/9/09 Coplay, PA
5/9/09 Valdez, AK
5/9/09 Williston, FL
5/14/09 Phoenix, AZ
5/16/09 Logan, MT |
5/16/09 Columbus, NC
5/16/09 Keene, NH
5/16/09 Pelham, NH
5/16/09 Hiawassee, GA
5/16/09 Greensburg, PA
5/16/09 Salem, WV
5/16/09 Richmond, CA
5/16/09 Midvale, OH
5/17/09 Charleston, SC
5/17/09 Jackson, WI |
For more information, visit the NRA’s Women On Target webpage or contact Beth Hellmann in the NRA Women’s Programs Department at (703) 267-1398 or ehellmann@nrahq.org.
November 29th, 2008
 Increasing the numbers of women involved in the shooting sports is vital. We need more women shooters to grow our gun clubs’ membership rolls and expand the consumer base for firearms products. From a political standpoint, getting women involved in shooting strengthens the gun rights movement, and helps counter efforts to close gun ranges and shooting facilities. And remember, women are important decision-makers at the family level. Wives often decide if there will be a gun in the house and if children in the family are allowed to participate in shooting sports.
The NRA’s Women On Target program has been very successful at getting the ladies involved in shooting sports. The Women On Target program offers new lady shooters the chance to receive handgun, rifle, and shotgun instruction by other women, in a low-stress situation. Program Coordinator Beth Hellman reports: “We have had a record-breaking number of Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics so far this year — 239 — and a record-breaking number of participants — more than 7,000!”
CLICK HERE To learn more about Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics for your club or organization, or call (800) 861-1166 for more information.
Women On Target Hunting Program
The popular Women-Only Hunt Program allows women to enjoy the outdoors with experienced outfitters guiding all female clients. A wide variety of hunts are offered in the second half of 2008 including duck/goose hunts, pheasant hunts, turkey hunts, whitetail deer hunts, and even a Rocky Mountain Elk hunt. This program has been operating successfully since 1999.
CLICK HERE for Hunt Dates and Outfitter List
Photos courtesy National Rifle Assn., All Rights Reserved.
May 28th, 2008
Increasing the numbers of women involved in the shooting sports is vital. We need to bring in more women shooters to grow our gun clubs’ membership rolls and expand the consumer base for firearms products. From a political standpoint, getting women involved in shooting strengthens the gun rights movement, and helps counter efforts to close gun ranges and shooting facilities. Anti-gun advocacy groups and “liberal” politicians bank on the fact that most women are either opposed to firearms or are apathetic about gun rights. As more females get involved with shooting, it becomes more difficult for gun opponents to claim support from the “silent majority” of Americans. Also, women are important decision-makers at the family level. Wives often decide if there will be a gun in the house and if children in the family are allowed to participate in shooting sports.
This week’s ShootingUSA television episode features the NRA’s Women On Target program. This unique program offers firearms training and hunting excursions exclusively for women. The Women On Target program offers new lady shooters the chance to receive handgun, rifle, and shotgun instruction by other women, in a low-stress situation.
CLICK HERE to Find a Women on Target Instructional Clinic
The popular Women-Only Hunt Program allows women to enjoy the outdoors with experienced outfitters guiding all female clients. A wide variety of hunts are offered in the second half of 2008 including duck/goose hunts, pheasant hunts, turkey hunts, whitetail deer hunts, and even a Rocky Mountain Elk hunt. This program has been operating successfully since 1999.
CLICK HERE for Hunt Dates and Outfitter List
Photos courtesy National Rifle Assn., All Rights Reserved.
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