Center Feature:

What Makes You A Hunter?
Beyond gender boundaries

By DeDe Anderson

Can I get time off work? What about the kids? I’ve never hunted turkey. How do I fly with a gun? Will we get along? I am too busy! These were only a few concerns six women dealt with as the final days approached to their much anticipated trip to Connecticut to hunt eastern wild turkeys. Booking the trip with DeDe Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures for Women was easy. It was the obstacles to get there and expectations in the field that weighed heavily on each lady’s mind. Angela Adkins, Sherry Bombardo, Christina Flanagan, Dawn Goodrich and Laurie-Lee Sawin joined Anderson on a hunt that she coordinated to experience a two-day guided ladies turkey hunt. Although women continue to overcome many traditional obstacles in this male dominated sport, it is their everyday responsibilities and inexperience that discourage or prevent many women from participating in hunting and other outdoor activities. 

Sherry’s pre-hunt dilemma was “Should I bring it or borrow it?” Referring to her favorite 20 Gauge Benelli shotgun. Bombardo had reservations about transporting her gun on an airplane. Outfitter, John Ibbotson, had generously offered the use of any of his quality shotguns and ammunition. Sherry was well prepared for this hunt, shooting several shells to check and double check her shot pattern. She was confident her Benelli was ready to go but still worried about security clearance at the airport.

Angela’s demanding day job made it difficult to take off work. She worked many late hours right up to the day she left so she could take this trip. Angela decided to eliminate the airport hassle and cost of traveling with a gun so she accepted the outfitter’s offer to borrow a 12 gauge Winchester. Although she had never turkey hunted, she was confident in her previous hunting and shooting skills and chose convenience. 

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