Getting Started: Women Who Hunt
A practical start for women in hunting: hunter education, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops, a first hunt, gear that fits, safety and practice, following NY DEC, UW-Stevens Point's BOW program, hunter-ed.com and the Alaska Bowhunter Safety Course.
There is no single right way into hunting, but structured help makes the first season easier. This guide covers education, women’s programs, a first hunt, gear and confidence, following New York DEC’s and UW-Stevens Point’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman pages, hunter-ed.com and the Alaska Bowhunter Safety Course. Licence, education and season rules are set by your state.
Step 1: Hunter education
Hunter-ed.com notes many states require hunters to pass a safety certification, and that the course is worth taking regardless. It covers safe firearm handling, zones of fire, orange requirements and more. See our hunter education page.
Step 2: Find your people
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshops teach outdoor skills to women with little or no experience. NY DEC describes three-day workshops with classes in fishing, shooting, archery, hunting, trapping, map and compass, survival, camping, canoeing and outdoor cooking, open to anyone 18 and over; past participants have ranged from 18 to 80. Beyond BOW offers next-step or one-subject classes, and sometimes an actual hunt, canoe trip or camp-out. UW-Stevens Point, home of the original BOW program, says no experience is required. Search your state wildlife agency’s site for BOW or women’s hunting workshops.
Step 3: Choose an easy first hunt
Pick a hunt with a mentor or workshop instructor, close to home, for game your state’s beginners commonly start with, and practise with the exact gear you’ll use. Our game pages and whitetail hub can help you choose.
Gear: start minimal
The Alaska course says, besides your bow or gun, clothing is your most important consideration: it must protect you from weather and terrain, make little noise, and fit, since clothing too tight restricts drawing a bow and clothing too loose can catch the string. Layer for warmth with a wicking base, wool or fleece, and suitable outerwear, and avoid cotton in cold, wet weather. Our women’s hunting gear guide covers fit, and our tools help with planning.
Safety basics
Point the muzzle (or arrow) only in a safe direction, be sure of your target and what’s beyond it, and know your zone of fire (about 45 degrees in front of you, hunter-ed.com). Leave a hunting plan with someone, the Alaska course advises, saying where and with whom you’re hunting and when you’ll be back.
Confidence comes from practice
The Alaska course’s advice for bowhunters applies to everyone: there are no instant hunters, and regular practice builds accuracy and confidence. BOW participants quoted by NY DEC describe the workshops as a supportive start for women learning without anyone at home to teach them.
Sources
- New York State DEC, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman. Read 28 October 2026.
- UW-Stevens Point, Becoming an Outdoors-Woman. Read 28 October 2026.
- Hunter-ed.com, How to determine your safe zone of fire. Read 28 October 2026.
- Alaska Bowhunter Safety Course (bowhunter-ed.com): Clothing selection is critical, Staying warm in cold weather, Preparing a hunting plan and Basic target practice. Read 28 October 2026.
Recommended Gear on Amazon
- Women’s blaze orange vest - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Women’s hunting pack - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Hearing protection - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
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