EDGEFIELD, S.C. — This Saturday, November 18, will mark the first of what will be an annual “Women in Hunting and Fishing Awareness Day” in South Carolina.
Rep. Heather Bauer, the newly appointed co-chair of the Democratic Sportsmen’s Caucus in South Carolina, spearheaded the effort to pass the Women in Hunting and Fishing Day bill during the current legislative session. This bill designates the third Saturday in November each year as “Women in Hunting and Fishing Awareness Day” in the state.
Over the past year, numerous National Wild Turkey Federation events tailored for women have occurred in South Carolina and nationwide.
In mid-October, the South Carolina NWTF State Chapter collaborated with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Wildlife Partnership to host a Women in the Outdoors dove hunt event.
Earlier the same month, the NWTF Lexington Longbeards Chapter in Columbia, South Carolina organized a Women in the Outdoors brunch. This gathering provided a platform for women interested in outdoor activities to come together, socialize, acquire valuable resources and information for hunting, and participate in raffles for firearms, hunting gear and more.
Future NWTF Women in the Outdoors events include a deer hunt scheduled for December 2 in Edgefield, South Carolina. The demand for such activities among women has been on the rise, and the NWTF has been actively engaging and providing resources for this growing demographic of hunters.
Recognizing decades ago the increasing demand for outdoor skills training programs for women, the NWTF introduced its Women in the Outdoors program in 1998. Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of women owning firearms and participating in activities like target shooting and hunting. The WITO program, hosted by NWTF chapters nationwide, organizes affordable events that offer enriching outdoor experiences. These events cater to women seeking outdoor adventures and opportunities for quality time with family and friends, fostering lifelong pursuits in the outdoors.
Find an NWTF WITO event near you.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has conserved or enhanced over 22 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The organization continues to drive wildlife conservation, forest resiliency and robust recreational opportunities throughout the U.S. by working across boundaries on a landscape scale.
2023 is the NWTF’s 50th Anniversary and an opportunity to propel the organization’s mission into the future while honoring its rich history. For its 50th Anniversary, the NWTF has set six ambitious goals: positively impact 1 million acres of wildlife habitat; raise $500,000 for wild turkey research; increase membership to 250,000 members; dedicate $1 million to education and outreach programs; raise $5 million to invest in technology and NWTF’s people; and raise $5 million to build toward a $50 million endowment for the future. Learn how you can help us reach these lofty goals.
