Call to Action: The Power of Mentoring

Photos courtesy of Nancy Donaldson

Someone recently asked me what would seem to be a simple question, “Why do you mentor women hunters and what do you get out of mentoring them?” I struggled to find the words that would do justice to the answer.

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of watching someone transform themselves from tentative to beaming, from to timid to confident, it’s a wondrous thing. I feel privileged to have mentored, and continue to mentor, women hunters. Many have gone on to become accomplished outdoorswomen through their own grit and perseverance. Following are a few examples.

Stacey wrestled with the decision about whether to continue consuming meat products. She enjoys meat and has no moral objections to it; but she wanted to source and harvest her own game to experience for herself what she expected others to provide. She told me that she felt she should be just as willing to process as to eat the meat she consumed. With no previous exposure to rely on she devoted herself to learning about firearms, about humane hunting practices and about preparing a successful harvest. With the help of a friend I took Stacey on a wild pheasant hunt and we harvested a rooster. As a result, she developed an understanding of and appreciation for hunting’s joys and challenges. For her the learning experience was life changing. I was able to accompany Stacey on her journey and came to respect and admire her commitment as well as the conclusions she drew for herself. I learned as much from our time together as she did.

Sherry had never hunted before and wanted to be a participant instead of a spectator for a change. Unsure of herself, she was not comfortable with the idea of wounding an animal by making a poor shot. We practiced hitting a moving target with a shotgun, commonly known as “wing shooting,” until she felt confident with her skills. Then we went on her first pheasant hunt. When our guide’s bird dog retrieved the rooster that Sherry downed with a perfect shot, pride lit up her face. It takes a special kind of courage to test yourself as she did, stay the course and come out with a win. That moment remains in my memory as a confirmation of the possibilities in everyone.

Jill wanted her son to pursue his passion for shooting sports and hunting; but she and her husband did not participate in either of those activities. She was determined to find a way to help her son pursue his interests. Even though she lacked confidence and was uncomfortable with firearms, she came to every lesson and outing and tried to learn what her son needed to know. More than once she has knelt on a blanket before dawn on a hilltop in subzero weather, scanning for whitetail deer. Several times she has walked through prairie grasses with us, hoping to kick up a pheasant or two. She has waited for hours in a turkey blind with her eyes peeled and her fingers crossed. Now she can speak with authority about pursuing wild game, understands the skills and techniques necessary, and can shoot a shotgun and a rifle. I was able to spend time in the company of a super-mom whose dedication is awe-inspiring; and as a bonus I gained a friend.

As an avid hunter myself, I love being outside enjoying our natural resources and participating in hunting traditions. Sharing this with others through mentoring and assisting in several programs such as Illinois Learn to Hunt has given more meaning to those outdoor activities for me. There is nothing like the thrill of witnessing another person’s journey of self-discovery; I am honored every time I have that privilege.

It remains difficult for adults to learn about hunting and identify opportunities for hunting when they did not grow up in a hunting family. It is particularly challenging for non-traditional hunters because there are few affinity groups for them that focus on hunting. Mentors can pave the way, loan equipment, teach skills, offer advice, boost confidence and provide moral support. Increasing participation in conservation activities is everyone’s business and helps protect access to natural resources for future generations. I believe there continues to be a great need for mentors to help new hunters navigate through the learning process. It is my pleasure to offer that kind of support whenever I can.

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Nancy Donaldson is a U.S. Army Vietnam Era Veteran, earned an MBA from North Park University and retired as an ARAMARK Executive. She serves as a volunteer shooting coach and is an avid hunter.