A new waterfowling event for women attracted more than organizer Heather Ketchabaw had hoped for.
Thirteen women participated in The Female Fowlers Hunt, held Nov. 1 at Long Point Wildlife Management Unit (LPWMU). The hunt was a collaboration between the Long Point Waterfowlers Association (LPWA), who run the unit, Long Point Provincial Park, and the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH). An OFAH Community Projects Grant supported the event.
It was the LPWMU’s first female waterfowl hunt.
Ketchabaw, who works at LPWMU, observed that women hunted in the unit with their husbands, male friends, or family members, but never by themselves or with other women. She also noted there were youth hunts in the area, but no all-female hunts.
“I felt as though an all-female hunt may help us to overcome possible barriers in that demographic and offer a unique opportunity to introduce more women to the sport of waterfowl hunting,” she said.
The multi-faceted event featured presentations by a conservation officer, information on duck identification, calling, dog handling, and how to clean a duck. There was no charge for participants.
Ten volunteer guides brought boats, dogs, decoys, calls and “award-winning positive attitudes,” which created a welcoming environment for participants, Ketchabaw said. The female hunters ranged in age from 16 to their 50s, with varying skill levels. They harvested 38 ducks.
“Everyone came in with smiles and stories. They loved their day on the marsh and were asking if this would be offered in the future,” Ketchabaw said.
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