Spruce City Wildlife Association
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BOW: Becoming An Outdoors-Woman



BOW Workshops:


These workshops are designed for women nineteen years and older they provide opportunities for women to learn skills used in hunting, angling, and other outdoor related activities.

These workshops are for you if:
  • you have never tried these activities, but have hoped for an opportunity to learn,
  • you are a beginner who hopes to improve your skills,
  • you know how to do some of these activities, but would like to try some new ones,
  • you are looking for the camaraderie of like minded individuals.

BOW Courses:


Courses are offered in three areas of interest, Angling, Shooting & Hunting, and other Outdoor Recreation Skills. Each BOW workshop offers over twenty courses where each participant will select four courses. The following list is an example of the courses that maybe offered, each location varies depending on the special features of the site.


Angling:
Basic Angling
Beginner Fly Fishing
Float Tube Fishing
Fly and Knot Tying
Saltwater Fishing




Shooting & Hunting:
Bow Hunting
Firearms Safety
Archery
Rifle and Handgun Marksmanship
Shot Gunning & Trap Shooting
Black Powder Shooting
Gun Cleaning & Storage
Basic Hunting Skills
Wild Game Cleaning & Meat Preservation
Bird Dog Hunting






Outdoor Recreation Skills:
Canoeing
Kayaking
Boat, Motor & Trailer
Off Road Driving
Orienteering, Map & Compass Reading & GPS
Wilderness Survival Techniques
Basic Wilderness First Aid
Outdoor/Wildlife Photography
Horseback Riding
Camping
Outdoor Cooking
Wild Game Cooking
Backpacking & Hiking
Chainsaw & Axe Use
Mountain Biking
Wetland Ecology
Pioneer Experience


BOW Weekend:


Each workshop spans a weekend starting at noon on Friday, and concluding noon on Sunday. The weekend is divided into four blocks of instruction each three to four hours in duration. Special evening activities are interesting, informative and fun. Emphasis is on the enjoyment that goes with the social side of outdoor activities.

Workshops are generally held at outdoor camps or resorts. The atmosphere is outdoorsy but comfortable. Participants will stay in lodges, dormitories or cabins that maybe rustic, but have modern basic amenities. Meals are provided and cooked by the camp staff. The focus of the weekend is learning in an appropriate, comfortable atmosphere.

Workshops promote outdoor skills, hunting, angling and outdoor recreation as a family activity. Encouraging women to become more active and familiar with our provinces’ natural resources. The instructors and helpers are patient and supportive. Participants share in the success of each class member. The lessons are hands-on, noncompetitive, where each individual learns at their own pace.

KUDOS from BOW participants:


"A well planned weekend. Such diversity of subject to choose from. A real enticement to return for more."

"I think it is great to get involved like this. I would recommend it to all women who want to learn more about the outdoors."

"I had a wonderful time at the workshop, met many interesting people and gained some new hobbies. (I am now addicted to fishing.)"

"I'm so happy I had the opportunity to learn to ride a horse. It was fun, easier than I thought and relaxing!!!!"

"Thank you for making B.O.W. a reasonable price and a lot of fun."

"Excellent! Safe place to learn to connect with other women and learn new skills."

"An incredible weekend from beginning to end."

"Wonderful instructors - excellent choice, fabulous time."


BOW History:


In 1990 a conference was held at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources called "Breaking Down the Barriers to Participation of Women in Hunting and Angling." They identified twenty-one barriers at the conference, fourteen with direct relationship to a lack of educational opportunities for women to learn hunting and angling skills in a noncompetitive, non-threatening atmosphere. Several individuals from the conference decided to plan an opportunity for women to learn the skills associated with hunting and angling. The first workshop was very successful and the demand for similar opportunities was realized.

"The Becoming An Outdoors-Woman" program spread throughout North America and is now in forty-three states and nine provinces. By 1997 thirty thousand women had participated in BOW and it continues to grow. In 1998 twelve thousand more women enjoyed the hands on approach to learn hunting and angling. For more information about BOW internationally, including the 1999 schedule for workshops around the US and Canada see their web site at www.uwsp.edu/bow.

The framework for the BOW program in BC started in 1996. The first BOW workshop was conducted in Winfield in 1997 hosting over eighty participants. The success of this workshop lead to three BOW events in 1998, in Winfield, Lake Cowichan and Prince George. In 1999, two events were held at Aldergrove and Cranbrook. Almost four hundred and fifty women have participated in BOW workshops in BC to date.

BC Wildlife Federation:


The BC Wildlife Federation is committed to offering education programs that foster outdoor recreation with emphasis on the conservation of wildlife and habitat. Presently, the Federation has 35,000 members and is the largest and oldest conservation organization in the province, represented by 147 separate and distinct clubs. The primary function of the BCWF is to generate the political, public and individual commitment to ensure the wise use of our fish, wildlife and outdoor recreational resources.

As a BOW participant you receive a BCWF membership and we encourage you to contact your locally affiliated club and become involved in the management, protection and restoration projects that preserve your right to fish and hunt.

Beyond BOW Workshops:


Advanced level courses will be offered with enough interest. Beyond Bow is more "subject specific" and will enhance your skill level in flyfishing, hunting, archery, canoeing, sport shooting etc. for previous BOW participants who want more. Please email us at sfraser@bcwf.com and tell us what skills you would like to advance in.

BOW Tips:


Wilderness Survival Techniques are taught every BOW workshop.

BOW Bookshelf:


  • "Backpacking: A Woman's Guide" Adrienne Hall
  • "Mother Earth" Ed Boice
  • "Mountain Biking for Women" Stuart and Jensen
  • "Off the Beaten Track" Smith
  • "Women and the Wilderness" Labastille
  • "Women in the Wilderness" Susan and Ann Zwinger, Ed. - A beautiful book of photographs and writings by women. "Above all, these seven women, chosen from many wonderful writers, go out there. They record furiously. They celebrate the wild and healthy life they find around and within themselves. They choose to be "out there" because they want to be and they write directly about being there. They are writers who have ventured past known, safe edges to glimpse a different reality." Susan and Ann Zwinger
  • "Follow the River" James A Thorn - A wonderfully swift moving account, circa 1755, of two young women and two children kidnapped by Shawnee Indians and taken to a native townsite miles away from their homesteads. Enroute, Mary Ingles gives birth a the forest floor to a daughter. At the reservation Mary meets an old Dutch woman, Gretal, and plans for escape are immediately fostered. While on a food gathering mission, the two take off with an axe and some nuts for nourishment. Their plan are to follow the Ohio River back through Indiana, Ohio to West Virginia but the numerous creeks and rivers feeding into the Ohio makes the trek a 1,000 mile ordeal of unbelievable bravery and hardship. Hunger is their worst enemy as not a hot meal is eaten during the five month walk back to Mary's beloved husband Will. A true story that portrays the unbelievable fortitude of two women seeking freedom. Bound to bring tears to the eyes of anyone reading it. Review by Rita Walls
  • "Favorite Recipes From British Columbia's Outdoors Women" - Copies are available for $10.00 from the BCWF office at 1-800-533-2293 or email to Sue at sfraser@bcwf.com. or call Rita Walls at 250-339-6044.


Sponsors & Supporters:


Thank you to all those who have helped make the BOW program a success. Special thanks to Federal Cartridge CO for supplying all the ammunition used for all the BC workshops. Also, our appreciation to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for sponsoring who would not otherwise have been able to afford to go. We also need to thank Crossman, Kaufman Boots and all our other BOW sponsors, our hats are off to you.

We could not have succeeded without the help of the Fish and Game Clubs and Rod and Gun Clubs around the province. Along with the Ministry of Environment Public Conservation Assistance Fund and the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Along with hundreds of donors whose items we raffled at the events to raise money to keep the program affordable.

Special appreciation goes out to the instructors and volunteers who teach quality courses and guarantee each event is a success. Thanks also to all those who volunteer their time to put together these events we couldn't have done it without you, you're the best!

BOW Contacts:


BC Wildlife Federation is pleased and proud to offer you the BOW program. Your suggestions and comment help make future workshops interesting and enjoyable. Please contact us for further information or registration applications. If you wish to be placed on our mail list please send us your name and address.

BC Wildlife Federation
Unit 101 - 3060 Norland Avenue
Burnaby, BC, V5B 3A6
Phone: (604) 291-9990
Fax: (604) 291-9933
Toll Free(In BC): 888-881-2293
Website: www.bcwf.bc.ca
Email: wildlife@bcwf.com




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