Team HuntingLife had the great pleasure of being able to interview Brenda Valentine (National champion archer, world-class hunter, conservationist, T.V. host, book author, and speaker, First Lady of Hunting® Brenda Valentine has spent a lifetime promoting hunting.) Brenda is representing American Hunters this month on the Legends of Hunting Tour visiting US Servicemembers overseas in South East Asia.
- Brenda is a National Spokesperson for the National Wild Turkey Federation.
- She is the host of the NWTF’s award winning TV program, “Turkey Call”, on the Pursuit Channel.
- She is a 15-year veteran of Bass Pro Shops’ National Redhead Hunting Team.
- She co-hosts Bass Pro’s “REAL HUNTING TV” on Verses network as well as being a regular on the Bass Pro “King of Bucks” program.
- She has been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal as well as a guest on “Fox & Friends” national news program and was featured in American Profile magazine.
- She is a past board member of the National Bowhunter Education Foundation and the Pope & Young Conservation Group.
- Brenda was the first woman inducted into the National Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame, she is a member of the West Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and is a present nominee for the National Archery Hall of Fame.
We could not be more excited to profile a little bit about Brenda because we know she lives the Hunting Life every day!!
Brenda, Thank you for taking time out of your extremely busy schedule to commit to this interview with Team HuntingLife we truly value the opportunity to introduce you to our readers. Of course we know that as the “First Lady of Hunting” This is a registered trademark. most of our readers should know a little bit about you history in Archery, Hunting and Conservation. How did you get started in the outdoors? I was born into a huntnig family and was being carried to the woods before I was old enough to walk. My family depended on wild game as well as our own farm produce, milk, and eggs for food.
Who have been your mentor’s in the outdoor industry? I can’t really think of any.
Who are you excited to watch when your looking for quality outdoor television? I don’t have time to watch much tv. I do try to keep up with the weather especially during hunting seasons.
What kind of advice would you offer out there to the younger generation who is interested in getting into the outdoor industry? It is a very tough and competative market whether it be in designing or selling new products or outfitting. It is certainly not all about going hunting, a lot of hard work and commitment is required.
Over the last several years, we have seen a tremendous growth of women in the hunting industry what do you attribute this growth to? Me and a few other determined women that were recognized for our hunting skills and given visibity which tore down social barriers and opened doors for todays female hunters.
What is the one species that you would really like to hunt if you could, but have not yet had the opportunity to pursue? Coastal brown bear.
What is in your gear bag when your chasing Gobblers? Always, my signature “Sweet Talk” double-sided slate/glass call.
What is in your gear bag when your chasing Deer and other big game? Vanguard optics, Winchester Ammunition
What is it about the NWTF that drew you to their mission? Mostly the Outreach programs. I am passionate about each of them; W.I.T.O. (Women In The Outdoors), J.A.K.E.S. (youth groups), & Wheelin’ Sportsmen (disabled hunters). However, the NWTF mission is Conservation- Hunting-Sharing. I believe in all three of these very much.
Tell us a bit about the Women in the Outdoor Events hosted by NWTF and how women can learn more about how to attend these events. WITO events are usually a 1 or 2 day outdoor learning experience for women only. Various classes are taught by competent instructors and each participant can choose the classes that interest her most. It is a fun way to not only learn new skills but to make new friends and connect with other women of like minds. Upcoming events can be found by going to the NWTF website and clicking on your state tab or a nearby state. I attend several WITO events each year, giving motivational speeches as well as instructing various classes.
Taking a look at your website at http://www.brendavalentine.com we see a tremendous line up of sponsors working with you in the outdoor market. Were sponsorships hard for you to gain in the outdoor industry and what is important to you about creating a relationship with sponsors? Sponsorships come with credibility. I don’t sponsor anything that I don’t personally use and believe is a quality product that benefits my hunting and outdoor experience.
I see from your website that you are a member of POMA, how has this organization helped you in the outdoor industry? Yes, I am actually a Cornerstone POMA member meaning I have been there since the beginning. I support this group and proud of their growth however I regret that I don’t have time to become more involved.
Now I have heard your leaving as a part of the “Outdoor Legends Tour” visiting the Military in South East Asia, How did this tour come around and what is it about? The Armed Forces Entertainment and The Paralyzed Veterans of America organizations realized that so many of our military servicemen and women were from hunting and fishing backgrounds and this was one of the things they missed badly while in service defending our freedom. A few outdoor industry representatives were invited to visit the troops for a “handshake and thank-you” tour on behalf of all of us.
How can people follow your reports from the road while you are out on this Legend’s tour? I will be posting blogs to my personal website as well as on the NWTF, Mossy Oak, Bass Pro Shops, Bethel University.
I understand you are now doing some coaching, Can you tell us a little bit about that? These days I’m wearing many hats and earlier this year I put on the Head Archery Coach hat for Bethel University in McKenzie, TN. This fall is the first year for the program and I am pleased to announce that Bethel is offering some great scholarship money plus college credits for non-traditional team sports such as archery. We are a member os the USCAA and plan to focus mainly on 3-D tournament competition.
Learn more about Brenda Valentine Here:
www.brendavalentine/fieldnotes.com
www.bethelu.edu
www.nwtf.com
www.mossyoak.com
www.basspro.com
