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About Ausra
NWTF Involvement: Coordinator for the Women in the Outdoors Perch Fishing Event in Grand River, Ohio Hometown: Eastlake, Ohio Family: Some special people in Ausra’s life include her mother, Natalija, her significant other, Terry, her dog, Elsie, and Terry’s parents, Marilyn and Jack, who let her hunt on their property and guided her along the way. NWTF Member Since: 2001 Home Chapter: Northcoast Limbhangers |
Q&A with Ausra Kaminskas
This city girl soon turned country after her first hunting experience. Ausra shares how her passion for the outdoors blossomed, and why she loves the Women in the Outdoors program.
NWTF: Tell us how you got involved in turkey hunting.
Ausra Kaminskas: I went turkey hunting with a friend a couple of years ago. He got a gobbler and I didn’t. It was still exciting for me, and I wanted to go again. This spring, I went out a couple of mornings, but I didn’t get one. However, I’m not giving up yet!
NWTF: That’s great. Don’t give up! Let’s talk about the Women in the Outdoors program. What are some of the things a first-time participant can expect to experience at an event?
AK: Women who come to an event can expect to participate in new endeavors. The Women in the Outdoors program is about learning new things and being able to do something that maybe you’ve been afraid to try. Not every woman’s husband or boyfriend has the patience to teach them properly, but Women in the Outdoors instructors are very patient and welcoming. It’s a very supportive environment.
NWTF: Do you teach any classes at Women in the Outdoors events yourself?
AK: I’ve taught a class on wood burning and one about making garden stepping stones; both are fun courses for women who aren’t into hunting. That’s another thing — you don’t necessarily have to have the desire to hunt or fish to enjoy yourself at an event. We have something for everyone.
But I’d love to teach a shotgun course one of these days!
NWTF: What’s something that you want to tell women from all walks of life about coming to a Women in the Outdoors event?
AK: I’d simply tell them to not be afraid and give something new a try. They’ll be amazed about the doors a Women in the Outdoors event can open. You won’t know until you come!
NWTF: What drives you to donate so much of your time to this program?
AK: I do this because of the friends I’ve made through the program and the satisfaction of knowing that I helped pull off another fantastic event. I also enjoy the satisfaction of knowing I helped another woman find a new activity that she really loves.
NWTF: What tips can you give local chapters on how they can recruit more volunteers to help at their outreach event?
AK: It can be tough to recruit new volunteers. But once you volunteer, you’re like a blood brother or sister; you never leave!
At all of our events, we stress that we need help coordinating these things and that they don’t happen by themselves. This year, I have the greatest event committee. One new member, Linette Chaney, came to my fishing event last year and decided to volunteer at this year’s event. She has gotten some great donations for the event. I also want to thank Ann Marie Gorman, Niki Bolling, Jennifer Yowler, Jane Viancourt, Linda Vandeveer, Sheri Williamson and Renee O’Brokta.
We stress that every little bit helps; even passing out fliers to spread the word.
NWTF: We welcome help and support from everyone. So is there anything else you want to mention about the NWTF or the Women in the Outdoors program?
AK: Women in the Outdoors opened my eyes to many new experiences. I went from being a city girl to a being country girl who likes to hunt and fish! A white-tailed buck, a doe and a wild turkey gobbler are next on my list. Maybe one day I’ll be lucky enough to get a Grand Slam. — Brian Purtymun
FYI > Ausra hunted wild boar on Ted Nugent’s ranch in Michigan, and even got to meet “The Nuge” himself. “What a guy!” Ausra says.