10/07/2026
Thank you, WSF, for supporting women in our hunting community and giving me the opportunity to share my story. I’ve usually told my story through my family and children, so putting the spotlight on myself is a first.
I grew up the youngest of four children, with three older brothers who made sure I learned to shoot a .22. My mother taught us to fly fish, and my childhood overflowed with camping, hunting, hiking, and a love for the outdoors.
As a young adult, I pursued r***e and muzzleloader hunting, fishing, and diving. After commissioning as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, I added marksmanship and competitive biathlon to my interests.
Then life changed. After a decade of domestic abuse, I became a single mother of three. Between working second jobs and caring for my family, the outdoors felt far away. When I could hunt, elk and deer provided welcome meals for my children.
Years later, I married my best friend, Marc. He became my rock and a loving father to my children. He also introduced me to archery, and I fell in love with its quiet focus. Soon, we were attending 3D shoots and hunting together as a family. Those remain some of my fondest memories.
After retiring from the Army following 28 years as a nurse, I’ve been fortunate to travel and hunt with Marc. When big game seasons end, we head into the fields with our red lab, Boon, for pheasant and sharp-tailed grouse. Few things compare to the partnership between a hunter and their dog.
I still challenge myself through hiking, training, and time on the range. A knee injury ended my attempt to thru-hike the Pacific Northwest Trail after 300 miles, but my desire to keep exploring remains.
Hunting is my chance to slow down, look up, take a breath, and feel at home. Through every chapter of my life, that connection to the outdoors has stayed with me.
