WOMEN

15th ANNUAL
WOMEN'S PROGRAM

AUGUST 6-10th, 2008

Join hundreds of other women for a 4-day weekend of learning, camaraderie, fun and begin to master the outdoors. Women of all ages are encouraged to experience, explore, and develop an understanding of the natural world through over 21 different hands-on programs.

The event is held at the Alford Lake Conservation Centre for Excellence. The first session was held in 1993 and has grown in popularity ever since. Women participate at their own speed and level of interest. They are welcome to try their hand at everything from fly fishing, shooting, backing up a trailer, to using a digital camera.

Classes run about 3 hours and cover topics such as GPS, outdoor survival, how to handle a canoe, outdoor cooking, building a diamond willow walking stick, edible plants, and of course, firing a gun.

Patient and knowledgeable instructors encourage each woman towards her own level of confidence and competence with each new skill. See what past students have said about the weekend!

"No wonder you are "the" model for others. EXCELLENT and very much appreciated that you are."

"The second time was just as much fun as the first."

"What a wonderful opportunity to learn new things in such a supportive environment."

"The course is affordable and so much fun ... I would love to attend again and bring some more 'city slickers'."

"I had so much fun. Can't wait to try my new skills with trapshooting and archery. I think you guys have created another archery buff."

Not sure if this weekend is for you? Ask yourself these questions:

Is there an outdoor activity that you have never tried, like shooting a shotgun, that you would like to learn in a safe and controlled environment?
Are you a beginner who is looking to improve her outdoor skills?
Are you already active in the outdoors but you would like to add to your skills?
Are you seeking the camaraderie of other like-minded individuals?
Are you seeking a brand new adventure totally apart from your day-to-day life?

If you answered, "Yes," to any of these questions, then please join us for an unforgettable weekend of adventure. Our highly qualified instructors are looking forward to meeting you. We take pride in initiating new people into the enjoyment of the great outdoors. So register now!

Program Sessions:

A Walk on the Wild Side
An Introduction to ATV’ing
Archery
Building Walking Stick
Canoeing - Basic
Canoeing - Advanced
Canadian Firearms Safety – Challenge
Firearms Basics – Guns, Guns, Guns
Fly fishing
Gone Fishing!

Handguns and Black Powder
I’ve Gone Digital
Learn to Score
Let’s Go Bowhunting
Shoot to Impress!
Slice & Dice – Wildlife Utilization
Surviving the Extremes
Tied up in Knots
Trailering
Where Am I? Where Should I be?
Wilderness Cuisine

To register simply contact, the Alberta Hunter Education Instructors’ Association
1-780-466-6682 or 1-866-282-4342 or e-mail edmontoninfo@aheia.com .

MORNING & EVENING EVENTS:

CATCH A FALLING STAR
Do you need a star to steer by? Weather permitting; join us to watch the stars line up. Identify the common constellations and a few “not so common”!

MOONLIGHT WIENER ROAST
There’s nothing like a hot dog roasted over an open fire. Come make new friends and great memories. Join us for a moonlight wiener roast—buns, wieners, and condiments will be provided. Maybe even a marshmallow or two. Bring a roasting stick! And some stories to share.

SOAP STONE CARVING - Friday and Saturday evenings
This is a beginner’s course designed for anyone who has an interest in carving but has been hesitant to try. You will learn how to use various tools and techniques required to make a finished piece of art. You’ll have a chance to choose between making an owl, a dolphin or a bear. NOTE: This class will take both Friday and Saturday evenings to complete your project.

MORNING/NATURE POWERWALK
Rise and shine. If you are up for a brisk fresh morning walk, join us at 7:00 am each day for a 45 minute health and nature walk.

OLYMPICS ANYONE? The Alford Lake Triathlon - Friday evening
Plan to put a team together and join in on the fun of the Outdoor Olympics! This is a “fun event” that will take place on Friday evening. This isn’t your average Olympics – we are dealing with the great Outdoors! We’d love to have you join in, but if you’d rather not, no problem – just sit back and enjoy the show!! This is your chance to put your outdoor skills to work!

SILENT AUCTION & RAFFLE
Don’t forget to bring a few dollars and take part in the wide array of silent auction and raffle opportunities available. There is something for everyone!

OUTDOOR PAJAMA PARTY
The “Pajama Party” is designed to allow participants to interact outside of the groups and friends that they already know or came with. This event will be held on Saturday night and is open to 20 women, who will be competing against each other for the prize. Everyone attending must wear their pajamas. No teddies, panties and t-shirt or birthday suits!!

Competitors will:

·         be identified by banners

·         be required to tell a short hunting/fishing story (no more than 5 minutes)

·         have to compete in Best of Show (Fashion Parade and self explanation of your outfit)

·         participate in Impress the Rest. (Travel the room introducing yourself to others and impressing them enough to get them to vote for you)

Each participant will have a container to hold individual votes for this part. Each competition is out of five points.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXTRAVAGANZA
Don’t forget to bring your camera! Take as many photos as you like and then after the event, send us your photos to participate in the PHOTO Contest. There are various categories and we will have some great prizes! Additional details are provided in your registration package when you arrive!

FISH’IN FOR A CURE
New to the Outdoor Women’s Program, here is your chance to try a true-life fishing simulator, win a prize and help find a cure for breast cancer. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

www.womensoutdoorwire.com

For more information contact:

Kelly Semple
Outdoor Women’s Program Alberta
Hunter Education Instructors’ Association
# 88, 4003- 98^th Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T6E 6M8
780-466-6682 or 1-866-282-4342
www.aheia.com

I was at the Willow Valley Trophy Day in Pincher Creek, AB this year, and appreciated the opportunity to hear you (Kelly Semple) speak. Wow! I must say that I was inspired to continue to do what I do, and continue to be involved in supporting the outdoor groups and organizations that I do. I am so glad that you made the trip down to Pincher Creek, and I am interested in learning more about your organization, and perhaps becoming more involved in it as well!

As a young girl, I grew up in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia in a rural area between the communities of Cranbrook and Kimberley. I remember my family spent all the time they could in the outdoors. We camped, fished, went horseback riding, and my parents also hunted. I grew up appreciating the environment we lived in and glad that I lived where I did.

I received my first fishing rod, a present from my Dad, when I turned 5 years old and was always the first one in the truck when we were taking the boat out. We spent many hours on Kootenay Lake, Koocanusa Lake, and Moyie Lake. As I grew older, I hoped that I would be able to actively partake in hunting trips as well. I had been along on many excursions, but I could hardly wait till I turned 14, took my Hunter Training and could try my luck.

As time went by, my Dad lost interest in hunting, so by the time I was 14 he hadn't been out for quite a few years. I was disappointed, to say the least. When I was 16, I had the opportunity to take Hunter Training with a friend of mine. Both of us were truly intimidated being the only girls in the class, but decided that if we both took it together, it would be fine. We had to endure a few stares from our younger male classmates (they of course were all 14, and we were 16!), as well as the Dad's that were accompanying their sons to the classes. Our instructor was great, and we both passed and received our B.C. Hunting Certificates in the mail following the class. I thought for sure that this would prompt my Dad back into wanting to hunt, and into taking me out, but he never did.

As I grew older, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career that involved the outdoors in some capacity. I attended the University of Lethbridge, and received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Biology in 1995. I have worked many contracts with a variety of employers, all involving some sort of field work, and am now permanently employed as a Research Technician at the Research Station in Lethbridge for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

It was at the Research Station that my dream of hunting finally started to fall into place. I met my boyfriend, Gary, at the Research Station in 1995, and he is an avid hunter! I started bugging him about taking me hunting soon after we began dating, and was able to go with him spotting, and along on a few trips before he knew that I was serious and not just trying to impress him! I enrolled in, took and successfully completed an FAC course in 1998, and received my certificate soon after. I applied for an Alberta WIN Card, and I purchased my first rifle that year (a 6 mm). I also bought a membership to the Lethbridge Fish and Game so that I could use their gun range, and Gary began teaching me how to shoot. The following year I purchased a second rifle (25-06) brand new, and Gary knew that I was committed to giving hunting a try. I purchased tags that fall and went on my first hunt with him for Whitetail Deer near Enchant, Alberta. We spent two weekends (Thurs-Sat) out there, and he finally said that I was going to have to shoot the rifle in order to say that I tried it! On the last Saturday that he took me out, I finally decided to shoot a little buck that was feeding in the cat tails. I hit it the first shot, and I don't think my feet touched the ground until much later the next day. It was an amazing feeling, and one that I will never forget. I was so happy that I finally realized a dream I had been holding ever since I was a little girl. My deer was no where near a trophy, but I have the skull and antlers proudly displayed in our bedroom, and when I look at it, all the pride in myself returns.

Since my first deer in 1999, I have shot a 140 Mule Deer in 2000, one White Tail buck in 2001 and another this year, a sow Black Bear in 2002, and a 78 Pronghorn this year. I have had the opportunity to hunt for Elk since 2000 with Gary, and was with him when he took an amazing Bull Moose in 2000. I have seen wolves, grizzly, deer, elk, cougars, coyotes, antelope, and so many other things when I am out hunting that I am so glad that I am finally where I always wanted to be.

I am a member of the Lethbridge Fish and Game, Ducks Unlimited, and the Willow Valley Trophy Club. I volunteer and am a member for Pheasants Forever, and I hold an executive position with the Oldman River Basin Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Now that I have heard about Hunting For Tomorrow, I am very interested in becoming involved in some way.

When I listened to you speak at Willow Valley, it just reinforced everything I feel about the outdoors, and why I think it is important to continue to pursue these activities. I just wanted to e-mail you and say how impressed I was with hearing you speak, and let you know that I want to be involved with your organization because I share the same vision.

An article on traditional bowhunting and appropriate equipment for "big" big game such as elk, African gemsbok and kudu. The article focuses on women using lighter-weight bows. Originally published in the Traditional Bowhunter Magazine.