Pennsylvania Game Commission

Women continue to be the fastest growing group of hunters, and a new partnership between the NWTF and the Pennsylvania Game Commission is helping provide more outdoor opportunities for women in the Keystone State.

Thanks to funds from the PGC, the NWTF hired Jeff Souders, of Harrisburg as a full-time Women in the Outdoors coordinator in Pennsylvania.

Souders' goals are to create new Women in the Outdoors events, re-energize existing chapters and events, and reach out to women who have never participated in the program.

"Providing women in our state with a full-time Women in the Outdoors program coordinator is satisfying a tremendous need," said Joe Neville, PGC Bureau of Information and Education director. "This is a great opportunity to recruit new outdoorswomen, and as a joint venture between the PGC and NWTF, everyone benefits."

Tom Hughes, the NWTF's assistant vice president of education and outreach programs, hopes this sparks interest in other state agencies to form similar partnerships, which will help grow NWTF's outreach programs.

Teresa Carroll
Women in the Outdoors Coordinator

NWTF's outreach team

For some people, February brings to mind Valentine's Day, complete with a candlelit dinner, roses and chocolates. But for me, and the rest of the NWTF staff, February brings our national convention and sport show.

As I stepped inside the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, the humid, fragrant air of the Cascades atrium filled my nose. I walked past couples dining two-by-two at the hotel restaurants and headed up the escalator to the Delta lobby, where I entered a world inhabited with people decked in camouflage, cowboy boots and NWTF logos from head to toe. It may not be the most romantic spot to spend Valentine's Day. However, the entire weekend is a labor of love.

My gifts come in the form of overheard laughter, seeing smiles from folks who don't know I'm looking and the overall family atmosphere of the event. That people from across the country gather for a common purpose is what excites me most.

Every day, I had countless opportunities to exchange success stories and kick around ideas on ways to improve participation in our outreach events. Notice I didn't say Women in the Outdoors events.

This year, we combined the meetings for all the NWTF outreach programs. Coming together as a team created a perfect forum for program updates, cross-training and uniting as a group of volunteers passionate about the NWTF. Everyone left the event eager to help grow our chapters through the outreach programs.

And we're joining minds and talents again this summer at the NWTF's National Outreach Event, June 9-12, at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, S.C. Volunteers representing all programs are invited to enjoy two days of hands-on activities, entertainment, special auctions and helpful tools for planning their next outreach event. You'll find more details on page 71.

I hope you'll join us for the fun, and be sure to pack your best ideas to share. — Teresa