NWTF WITO Hunt Fuels Passion for the Outdoors
The South Carolina NWTF State Chapter recently hosted its annual NWTF Women in the Outdoors Dove Hunt in Bradley, South Carolina, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and South Carolina Wildlife Partnership.
Seven ladies from across the Palmetto State attended one of the most sought-after events for women. The annual hunt allows for women who have never hunted before to learn about hunting, firearm safety, and gives them the opportunity to hunt doves for the first time.
Through its Take One Make One Program, SCDNR representatives provided an in-depth overview before the new hunters took to the field. The seven new hunters took a Dove Hunting 101 course, learning how to hunt the species, season structures and biology. The ladies also learned firearm safety and shotgun instruction to prepare them for the dove field.
Once the hunters were prepared, they dispersed across the dove field, which was made available by a generous property owner. The ladies sat in different stations across the field accompanied by a mentor. The only thing more abundant than the doves were the laughs and camaraderie shared.
“This is probably my favorite hunt that we do,” said Billie McCarter, NWTF WITO coordinator. “We always have such a great group of ladies, and this year was no exception. The weather tried to shut us down, but everyone hung in there. Five of the hunters harvested their first doves!”
In 2019, NWTF volunteer Jennifer Hodge-McLain established a camo closet that collects donations year-round to supply hunting gear for women, youth and men to be used at NWTF events and beyond. Through the generosity of donors, she has consistently met the needs of those requiring hunting attire. For the recent WITO dove hunt, NWTF volunteers were able to fully outfit two women and provide them with dove stools, all thanks to contributions from this closet.
“Thank you to the NWTFSC Board of Directors, SCWP, SCDNR, our mentors and the property owner, Mr. Stephen Davis, for your time and generosity and for making this event so special,” McCarter said. “I think everyone had so much enjoyment out of the day, no matter what part they played.”
The demand for such activities among women has been increasing, and the NWTF has been at the forefront of engaging and being a resource for this growing segment of hunters.
The NWTF WITO program was created to cater to the growing number of women interested in the outdoor lifestyle. In the past decade, the number of women owning firearms and participating in target shooting and hunting has risen significantly. Women now comprise over a quarter of all anglers and represent the fastest-growing segment within the hunting and shooting communities. The WITO program is an effective program to retain lifelong hunters by engaging and educating women about the great outdoors.