Welcome to
Becoming An Outdoors Woman in New Mexico
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Welcome to Becoming An Outdoors Woman in New Mexico |
Last Updated On: 07/01/2008
Becoming An Outdoors Woman (BOW) in New Mexico is
a 3 day
workshop
for women, held in May, sponsored by New Mexico Department of Game & Fish. The goal is
to provide women with an opportunity to learn a variety of outdoor skills.
Becoming An Outdoors Woman allows participants to choose from a variety of
classes that focus on outdoor skills - skills usually associated with hunting
and fishing, but useful for many outdoor pursuits.
It is an opportunity for any woman,
18 years of age or older, who wishes to learn new outdoor skills or hone
existing skills. These workshops are designed primarily for the novice,
but every skill level will learn something new. Every participant has the
opportunity to take 4 half day classes from the following list, but every
class may not be offered every year:
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
ARCHERY – An introduction to the sport of archery target shooting, competition and bowhunting. Learn bow safety and how to select bows, arrows and other equipment. On the range, participants can try out various archery equipment on paper and 3-D targets and learn distance judging. The 3-D targets are optional as they are set up as a walk-through. Bows and arrows will be provided or you may bring your own.
BASIC BACKPACKING Learn about packs, boots, clothing, and other necessary gear. Learn how to pack it and ways to reduce the amount of weight carried on trips. A very short hike may be taken.
BASIC FISHING – This course will be an introduction to equipment and skills necessary for the novice to begin to enjoy fishing. Participants will learn about fish habitat, equipment selection, knot tying and casting. All equipment will be provided and fishing will be done on the Center.
BASIC MAP AND COMPASS – You may have taken this class before but now is a good time to take it again! There will be new information, a more hands-on format and more individual attention than ever before. There will be both classroom and field exercises to help you gain confidence to travel through the woods and home again. This class is a pre-requisite for GPS Navigation.
BASIC RIFLE SKILLS - Students will learn safe gun handling in addition to shooting positions and techniques on paper targets and metallic silhouettes using .22 rifles and centerfire rifles. There will be an optional walk-through “hunt”. Rifles will be provided or you may bring your own .22 rifle which will be checked by the instructors before use in the class.
BOWHUNTING – Learn about hunting big game with bow and arrow. Types of equipment, clothing, and hunting techniques are covered. There will be a walk through hunt on 3-D targets. Bows and arrows will be provided or you may bring your own.
CAMP SKILLS AND OUTDOOR COOKING - Learn the basics of Dutch oven and other styles of outdoor cooking and produce mouth watering cobblers, breads and main dishes in a camp setting. Build campfires safely, use a chain saw and ax, and bear proof your camp. Students will meet early to cook their own breakfast and lunch. (Not offered this year)
CAR CAMPING NM STATE PARKS - Ever just wanted to grab the kids or family and jump in the car and go for a weekend camping trip but not too sure about it? Then his class is for you. A State Parks Ranger will help you with what you need to know and give you the scoop on park locations, camping tips, what gear is needed; and answering questions with regards to family pets, keeping the kids safe, and how to handle a bear sighting, along with any others you can come up with. This will be a fun, hands-on class to get you outdoors this summer! NM State Parks offer the perfect getaway all around the State.
CREATIVE GOURDS You’ve seen them in craft fairs for big bucks but in this class learn how to decorate gourds with paint and wood burning tools – great decorations for the home or as a gift.
DUTCH OVEN COOKING Learn the basics of Dutch oven and other styles of outdoor cooking and produce mouth watering cobblers, breads and main dishes in a camp setting. Dutch oven cooking is not just for camping. Learn how to use those black pots in your own backyard! Students will meet early to cook their own breakfast and lunch.
FIELD DRESSING BIG GAME – How to properly field dress an animal (for this class a pig will be utilized), and the do's and don'ts of handling game in the field. Lots of tips and techniques for proper care and preparation of wild meat in the field. Great hands on experience. Offered once.
FLY FISHING - Participants will learn the basics of casting, tying knots, and equipment selection appropriate to the streams and lakes in NM. All instruction and practice will be on the NRA-Whittington Center.
FLY TYING - An introduction to the basic techniques for tying popular nymphs, dry flies, and streamers. All equipment and materials will be provided. A hands-on class! Offered once.
GEOLOGY I – Edible rocks and the geology of the Raton area. Observe and describe physical characteristics of a familiar model (candy bars) and apply to the unfamiliar (rocks) and apply it to the local geology. (Not offered this year)
GEOLOGY II – Minerals we mine in New Mexico that we use everyday. - What rocks and minerals are used in products we use everyday? Where do these rocks and minerals come from in New Mexico? You will be learn how to distinguish between and identify different rocks and minerals and will relate rocks and minerals to their use in our everyday life. You also will learn geographic locations within New Mexico that contain economic minerals. (Not offered this year)
GPS NAVIGATION – Global Positioning System (GPS) devices are becoming popular tools for active outdoors folks but learning to use them can be confusing. In this practical workshop, we will read topographical maps with special attention to numeric coordinates (UTM), learn the strengths and pitfalls of hand-held GPS receivers and test your newfound skills with an outdoor course. Perfect for those wishing to discover off-trail spots, find your way back to a parked car or play the geocaching treasure hunt game! Be prepared for a 1 hour moderate walk. Prerequisite: Map and Compass.
HANDGUN SHOOTING BASICS - Participants will learn basic handgun marksmanship on a variety of targets. There will be an introduction to pistol competition. Handguns will be provided or you may bring your own .22, 9mm or .38/.357 handgun which will be checked by the instructors before use in the class.
INTRODUCTION TO DEFENSIVE SHOOTING – Learn the techniques necessary to utilize the handgun in a dynamic fashion including presentation, rapid trigger control, flash sight picture, point shooting, multiple targets, action targets and reloading under stress. Basic Handguns is required as a prerequisite, students must furnish their own handguns (.380 or .38SP or larger caliber, holster, appropriate ammunition and 1 extra loading source).
INTRODUCTION TO FIREARMS AND FIREARM SAFETY – A hands-on experience for the novice and a refresher course for the more experienced shooter, this class covers basic gun safety, definition of terms, identifying and unloading various firearms and different ammunition types. Instructors from the shooting classes will be on hand with all types of firearms. This class is a prerequisite for any of the SHOOTING courses and is offered once. Unless you have taken it before (within the last 3 years) or have permission from the coordinator. ALL SHOOTING PARTICIPANTS MUST ATTEND. This is mandated by our insurance. NO EXCEPTIONS. There is no live firing in this class.
MUZZLELOADER RIFLE & PISTOL - Discover the various types of muzzle-loaders, powders and projectiles. You will learn how to load and fire these interesting firearms from a by-gone era using modern replicas. Introduction to Firearms class is required as a prerequisite unless you have taken it before or have permission from the coordinator.
NATURE PAINTING – Put the beauty of the outdoors on canvas (in acrylics). You’ll be amazed and delighted with your hidden talents. You don’t even need to know how to draw to use this method. (Not offered this year)
NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY - Learn how to take action outdoor photographs, capturing wildlife, landscapes and close-ups as well as the ethics and responsibilities of the outdoor photographer. Bring your cameras with interchangeable lenses (if you have them) and the instruction manual, and a tripod if you have one.
NEW MEXICO WILD FLOWERS – Plants and flowers are everywhere, and they don’t move very fast, so it’s easy to catch one and figure out what it is! Learn about the major plant and flowers types in New Mexico and how you can identify them. Each student will make a 'field herbarium' of preserved plants to take with them. A short, very slow hike will be involved.
SHOTGUNNING FOR THE BEGINNER – Participants will learn basic shotgun shooting techniques on the trap range. Shotguns will be provided or you may bring your own 12 gauge or 20 gauge shotgun which will be checked by the instructors before use in the class.
SURVIVAL SKILLS – How to avoid emergencies in the field but be prepared for them if they do occur. You will learn basic survival rules, fire building, shelters, signaling and how to equip the ultimate field survival kit and how to use it with many ideas from a "find it in your kitchen" point of view.
TALK TO THE ANIMALS – Bugles, grunts, squeals, clucks and honks and more - learn how to call in a variety of New Mexico’s critters for hunting or photography.
TRACKING AND SIGN CUTTING – Background for this class comes from the instructor’s career in the US Border Patrol and is focused on man-tracking. It is not a wildlife tracking class but the principles are applicable to that skill and will be of value to the hunter, wildlife observer, law officer and Search and Rescue Team member.
UNARMED SELF-DEFENSE FOR THE OUTDOORS WOMAN – Learn to use your knees, elbows and feet to fend off an assailant in realistic conditions. These counter measures will carry over into your everyday life. A very physical class.
WHAT IS ALL THAT STUFF UNDER THE CAR HOOD? -- A brief tour. Basic car maintenance that you can do, or at least to talk knowledgeably about with your mechanic. What to do to prepare your car for a journey; either by interstate or into the wilderness. Beginning with how to deal with the most basic of issues: changing a tire, getting a jump or adding fluid. Also covered will be how to deal with emergency issues such as: getting stuck, or an engine fire. With this class you will have the knowledge to protect yourself from those unscrupulous mechanics and deal with most problems we face dealing with cars. Bring your card owners packet and lots of questions. (Not offered this year.)
WILD GAME SAUSAGE MAKING – A hands-on class that covers meat preparation, grinding, stuffing and (the best part!) sampling a variety of sausages from wild game, pork, beef, and fish too. Each student will receive a 47 page booklet "Wild Game sausage Making and Meat Smoking" authored by the instructor. Offered once.
WILDERNESS COOKING IN FOIL - Introduction to alternative cooking processes for the outdoors using recipes, foods and cooking styles that do not use ordinary cooking methods. Ideas for food and fun to jazz up hikes, back packing or camping trip. You will cook and sample everything introduced.
WILDERNESS FIRST AID 1 & 2 – Medical emergencies happen! Learn how to handle them and not panic! Two different classes with no prerequisite for either one. (Not offered this year)
WILDLIFE IDENTIFICATION – Wildlife Identification will talk not only about how to identify big game but cover biology of the animals as well. We will discuss where and when to see them and have the opportunity to examine skulls and swatches of fur and hide from different animals.
XERISCAPE GARDENING FOR WILDLIFE -- Learn to grow a lush but water saving garden featuring native flowering plants, shrubs, and trees that offer both beauty and wildlife habitat. Provide nectar for pollinators such as hummingbirds, moths, and butterflies. Provide natural bird food, always fresh on the plants, for towhees, curbed bill thrashers, quail, jays, and songbirds. Attract roadrunners and watch lizards sunning. Make your garden a safe haven, a home for wildlife.
For more information about Becoming an Outdoors Woman in New Mexico please contact Leilani McGranahan @ 505-250-7663 or to email Click Here.
Snail mail: 7600 Rio Guadalupe Pl NE; Albuquerque, NM 87122
©2005 Becoming An Outdoor Woman In New Mexico
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BOW and the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman logo are registered trademarks and cannot be reproduced without permission. Contact Diane Lueck for trademark information.