Georgia women interested in the outdoors can develop their hunting, fishing, boating and other outdoor recreation skills through a new program series provided by the Georgia
Department of Natural Resources’ Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center.
Becoming an Outdoors Woman is a non-profit, educational program offering hands-on workshops to women of all ages and fitness levels. Casual-styled classes enable women to learn about everything from shooting clays to banding birds.
No experience is necessary. Sessions led by outdoors professionals give novices and more experienced participants enough knowledge to pursue their outdoors interests when the workshop is over.
Weekend workshops begin with lunch Friday and end with lunch Sunday. In between, women 18 and older can choose from more than 25 classes such as outdoor photography, small game hunting, fly fishing, hiking, kayaking, outdoor survival skills and rope-assisted tree climbing.
Firearms safety and hunter education classes are offered to anyone who has not taken
either course. Archery courses are offered at many BOW workshops throughout the country. Check with state BOW sponsors for the full list of workshops.
Jody Rice, DNR Becoming an Outdoors-Woman coordinator, said the program
is designed to encourage women to get outside and enjoy outdoors activities.
“BOW offers women that chance by providing various classes in outdoor skills, and teaches these skills in a fun, non-threatening environment,” said Rice, who also is the training and development specialist at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center.
A Becoming an Outdoors Woman “basic” program is scheduled for Nov. 2-4 at Charlie Elliott. The center is near Mansfield, less than an hour southeast of Atlanta off Interstate 20. Participants will lodge at Charlie Elliott’s beautiful conference center, part of a popular
complex including a wildlife management and public fishing area.
Other programs are planned throughout the year. Learn more at www.georgiawildlife.com/BOW or by calling (770) 784-3059.