There was a time not too long ago when women were excluded from participating in the outdoors and at hunting camps in particular. Thanks to the effort s of many modern day sportsmen and the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF’s) Women in the Outdoors Program, however, the times are changing! Last weekend a special outdoors event for women was held at Dan Robinson’s Anevay farm near Edwards.

The NWTF is currently promoting outdoors opportunities for all people with an emphasis on getting families, including women and children, involved in the great outdoors. Along with that emphasis is their promotion of faith, family, flag, friends, and fun. In essence, God, family, country and fun in the outdoors, would be strong factors in building the outdoors participation beyond just men.

The Anevay event was opened with prayer stressing God, family and country by the new Women in the Outdoors state coordinator Abby Coffman. Along with event coordinator, Michelle Stringer and several volunteers, the event was a resounding success. Approximately 30 ladies participated in some form or fashion.

Expert Instructor



FLW angler and Premier Ford Pro Staff Member Ken Murphy, of Meridian, served as a fishing guide and instructor with great results. Many ladies, such as 14 year old Emily Giust, caught their first fish ever during the event. Others also caught nice bass including Deanie Stinson, Sarah Boyd and Cindy Daniels. Boyd and Daniels each caught 3 bass apiece, which was the most of any group. Chandler Giles caught her biggest bass to date, a fine 8 pounder on a Kinami jerkbait.

Instructor Vick Coffman offered handgun and pistol instruction and shooting on the pistol range.

Coffman gave a brief history on some of the more popular handguns and tips on what type weapons would best suit the ladies. First and foremost he stressed safety and its importance in the handling of weapons. Many of the ladies had never used handguns before, but really handled them well and shot impressive groups. The ladies shot everything from .22 caliber revolvers to 9 mm Glock’s to the more powerful .357 magnums. Some, like Chandler Giles, even shot the .357 and busted small balloons like seasoned veterans.

Whitney Adams, Keri Clark and many other ladies really enjoyed shooting sporting clays and busted more than a few birds. The sporting clay station was set up on a pond dam and offered a variety of challenging shots. Tim and Lynn Herbert ran the skeet station with great results.

Nick Hillman and Stanley Jones of Taylorsville headed up the archery station and gave the ladies first hand instruction.

Though some were novices, a few such as Melanie Hillman and Mary Greninger knew how to shoot a bow and encouraged others. Hillman took up archery and bowhunting after meeting and marrying her husband, Nick. The fact that she has harvested several deer attests to her hunting prowess and love of the outdoors.



Nature Tour



Dan Robinson coordinated the nature tours giving the women an up close look at some of the beautiful countryside that is home to all manner of wild game. They were treated to an ATV tour in a comfortable four wheel cart that allowed them to maneuver over the rough and rugged terrain in a comfortable and quite mode.

Nationally acclaimed turkey call maker Paul Meek, of Raleigh, was also on hand to demonstrate and instruct the ladies in the art of calling turkeys.

Amy Giust, Sarah Boyd, Cindy Daniels and a host of others enjoyed the first hand instruction and chance to “play” some of Meek’s, custom slates and Rock Pot calls. Meek thoroughly enjoys teaching youngster’s and newcomers the finer points of calling turkeys. “Mike, I can take a lady or youngster that’s never picked up a call and have them sounding pretty good in just a few minutes,” noted the veteran hunter.

The session was a resounding success for a first time event according to Abby Coffman. “We were really pleased with how our first event went and we now have three more possible programs that will be held at various locations around the state,” explained Coffman. Some, like Amy Giust, of Hattiesburg, had positive experiences in their first exposure to the outdoors and were excited and ready to hold events near their hometowns.

If you know someone interested in joining the Women in the Outdoors Program, or bringing events to your area, contact Abby Coffman at 601-397-1333 or online at acoffman@nwtf.net.