by Jill J. Easton

Mallards were flying everywhere as we slogged our way through the hip-deep water last season in Arkansas’ Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area. After being circled by so many wings, I could almost imagine what sailors felt like when their ships were under attack by Japanese Zeros in World War II.

Finally, we located just the right opening and water in the timber and began calling ducks. Flock after flock buzzed across the refuge and circled open water. They flew pushed by the clear cold weather that carried them into the flooded timber to escape the wind. Our first shots both brought down hens. It would require lots of checking and careful shooting to keep our hunt legal, if we were to get a limit of ducks.

“Success” Is A Relative Term

Several hours later, dozens of flight leaders had responded to the call, circled us, swirled into the opening, and left one or two greenheads behind. Each moment from 5 a.m. had been glorious. It was one of the most amazing days I'd ever spent hunting. "Lets call it quits," I requested.

The shooting had been superb, but cold was seeping through my layers of insulation, and I was out of energy after dragging the heavy waders through the water and remembering to focus up, then raise the gun and shoot. The mallards were about worn out, too. The birds had slowed down to an occasional disoriented single interspersed with whistling clattering wood ducks disturbed by the retreating tide of camo-clad shooters leaving with their mallards.

"But … we're still two ducks short," my companion said. "There are still a few ducks flying." He couldn't comprehend, nor could he bear the idea of leaving while there was still a chance of making a limit.

That, in a shotshell, is often the difference between men and women hunters, and also the reason difficulties develop when we hunt together. The thirst for blood in women is more easily overcome by the thirst for hot coffee and warmth.

Guys, no offense, but sometimes ya'll just don't show good sense. There will always be another day and another duck. Quitting while there is still energy left means a hunting partner much more agreeable about accompanying you to hunt another day.

Think about that for a minute.

All right, now I'll say it again. Needless suffering is going to discourage most women from returning to the deer or duck woods. Don't get me wrong. I've remained glued to deer stands and in turkey blinds through rain and freezing cold for my first kill of the season. I've spent years of misery hunting a particular animal, but that buck is a story unto himself. I've reveled in winning over clever prey and celebrated the trigger pull as a bullet flew true.

However, the need for taking and taking just doesn't run throughout my being, and I think this is true of many of us opposite sex types. A hunt where only that day's dinner falls from the sky is still a wonderful day outdoors. Even days where I've been totally beaten by nature are still filled with experiences and anticipation of what lies beyond the next tree.

Don't assume that we are total wimps. I've seen another woman hunter spend hours searching for a wounded doe in the rain before agreeing to go to the doctor for a badly scratched eye. There are dozens of other stories I could tell about women's dedication to the harvest. I believe those of us who have become hooked on hunting are equally as serious about blood sports as are those of you in the chest-through-the-wader-pounding hunting group.

There are differences though. The rain is colder on us, as we usually aren't as well insulated (at a table of six male hunters recently, I listened to half an hour of comparisons of their various cholesterol drugs). Heaven knows it's nearly impossible to find guns, thermal underwear or clothing that actually fit right. Certain bodily functions that are so easily taken care of by men provide additional challenges for female hunters in the cold.

Advice For Men

If you contemplate taking your lady along on a hunt, here are a few suggestions to make the experience a positive one.

For her first hunting experience start with something simple to chase, mobile and exciting. Squirrel and rabbit seasons are great for training any new hunter. Both species involve active group hunting, and there are no long, cold hours of immobility. This is also a good way to become comfortable with guns and get over the bang and flinch reactions.

Make sure your lady wears quality clothing and boots to suit the weather. Most women don't have much experience being exposed to the elements for prolonged periods of time and they often under-dress, especially when still hunting. I'd suggest carrying an extra sweater and a warm pair of socks in your vehicle. If the weather turns wet or cold there is something dry to put on after the hunt.

The final word of experience: No matter how close you are to this female, treat her like a stranger. Show the same levels of courtesy you would going into a job interview. Don’t yell, take the time to explain things and don't assume that she will know the why and wherefore of what is going on.

Make hunting easy, make hunting comfortable, make it fun and be nice. Follow these few basics and, with luck, you'll have a woods-wise blood sport companion for life.

Photos by Jim Spencer