Lisa Metheny marveled at the destruction left over from Hurricane Katrina as she made her way to her tree stand on a bow hunt near Halpino Lodge just north of Vicksburg. The action started almost immediately after her arrival as deer began to pour into the area. “I had about 15 to 20 bucks under my tree with some buttons, spikes and basket racked bucks,” related the excited hunter.

As the bucks fed on the fruit of a honey locust tree, Metheny enjoyed the incredulous sight. Her elevated perch allowed her to watch the show without being seen or winded, if she played her cards right. Though she relished the action, nothing was big enough to make her nervous, though that changed in a split second.

“I saw this big old boy coming and he got right under my tree and I had to wait for the perfect shot.” As the buck fed under the honey locust tree for a few minutes Metheny steeled her nerves for the opportunity that was sure to come. When the buck finally stepped out into her shooting lane, Metheny calmly drew her bow and let an arrow fly directly into his vitals. She had made the shot of her life. From the moment the arrow struck home there was never any doubt.

“I had to be careful drawing my bow as there were eyes all around me,” advised the expert bowhunter. Metheny is a modern day hunter who cares about people, animals and our environment and it was important for her to make an ethical shot that would bring about a quick, clean kill. Metheny’s desire to pass on the younger bucks had paid off as she harvested her first Pope and Young buck!



Hunting Heritage



“My earliest memory of hunting is when I went to the woods coon hunting with my dad when I was about three years old,” recalled Metheny. “Dad would wrap me up in a pair of his coveralls and strap me to his back and there we’d go through the Indiana woods chasing coon hounds!”

“I just thought that all little girls had that kind of upbringing and it planted a seed. My family loved the outdoors and it’s stayed with me until this day.”  An avid bowhunter who enjoys competing in bow shoots around the country, Metheny strives to pass on her outdoors heritage to other women and children since the passing of her father, Paul Wilson.

“After losing my dad and brother I saw a need to really take it to another level and spread my hunting heritage,” explained Metheny. This multitalented mother of three children handles the duties of motherhood and her love for the outdoors with equal passion.

In addition to her duties as an outdoor writer and wildlife photographer, Metheny is a hunting instructor that regularly holds instructional seminars for women. Along the way she has written for the National Rifle Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, Women in the Outdoors and many other magazines. In fact you might even see her at the NRA’s Whittington Center instructing young ladies in the finer art of hunting, or bow shooting.

           

Distant hunts

 

And occasionally you may catch her on a hunt with nationally known outdoorsmen like Jim Shockey on a hunt in Alaska. Yes, this talented lady has harvested numerous species of big game around the country including bear, whitetail deer and antelope.

In fact, she just returned from a successful hunt in New Mexico held near the NRA’s Whittington Center. Though she prefers hunting whitetails with a bow, she took her first antelope at a distance of 150 yards with a Ruger 7mm 08 rifle and a 140 grain Winchester cartridge.

Metheny is not your stereotypical hunter; far from it matter of fact. She’s a role model for many young women both in the world of work and in the outdoors and she is equally adept at both. She’s just as comfortable in camouflage as she is in a dress, and it shows. After returning from her antelope hunt in New Mexico, Metheny stopped off in Gatlinburg, Tennessee for some down home southern hospitality from her fellow Southeastern Outdoor Press Association members.

Metheny wasted little time during the conference as she quickly adapted and participated in every event that she could. As a result she was awarded the Dave Meredith Award that is awarded annually to an outstanding first time conference attendee. For more information on Lisa visit her website at lisametheny.com. Take it from Lisa and get outdoors; you’ll be glad you did!