THE DIANA PROJECT: HUNTING FOR KNOWLEDGE--KNOWLEDGE THROUGH HUNTING

Transcription

1 THE DIANA PROJECT: HUNTING FOR KNOWLEDGE--KNOWLEDGE THROUGH HUNTING Tarva Lee, Diana Project Founder and Nevada Wildlife Federation Director Presented to: 66th Annual Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference Grand Rapids, Michigan December 13,

2 ORIGINS OF THE DIANA PROJECT GOAL: Create a program that could take a woman from a non-hunting background and an urban setting, who had no skills whatsoever, and make her a life-long hunter. 2

3 ORIGINS OF THE DIANA PROJECT BIG QUESTION: Would we find nonhunting women with an interest in learning how to hunt? YES 3

4 ORIGINS OF THE DIANA PROJECT MY DISCOVERY: I had a passion, and a belief, that hunting was an activity of enormous benefit to women; and that women could enhance the future of hunting 4

5 SCOPE OF THE DIANA PROJECT STUDENT QUOTE: Opportunity defines the Diana Project s most important purpose. How much of the opportunity I used was dependant on many variables: time, money, interest, and physical ability. 5

6 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM January: Introduction to Hunting 3 hours Gives a realistic overview of hunting from a woman s perspective and describes the Project and what is required to participate 6

7 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM It is essential to teach or introduce women to all the skills involved in hunting and to being safe in the outdoors. SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT. For women who have never left pavement, the great outdoors is an exhilarating and terrifying place, fraught with danger. And the dangers are real. 7

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9 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM January: Hunter Safety Class Standard Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) Hunter Education class 8 hours; 2 evenings January: Introduction to Hunting and Laser Shot 2 hours introducing students to mentors. Covers basic shooting skills such as how to properly hold a gun, various shooting positions, how to use open sights, scopes, etc. 2 hours using Laser Shot to develop skills and confidence 9

10 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM February: Safety and Awareness 3 hours Teaching skills to detect potential danger and how to react effectively, so students can feel secure in a wilderness/camp setting February: Laser Shot 3 hours Reinforcing previous lessons and focusing on developing skills and confidence 10

11 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM March: NDOW Big Game Tag Application 3 hours Existing NDOW workshop explaining Nevada s application process March:.22 Rifle Seminar 8 hours First shooting class with real guns and live ammo Covers gun range safety and etiquette, and reinforces correct shooting skills 11

12 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM April: Open Workshop 4 hours Creates an opportunity for guest speakers on shooting and hunting topics April:.22 Rifle Seminar 4 hours Set up own range in desert so that students can learn to judge a safe backdrop and shooting situation for themselves. Get practical experience shooting in the most common field positions 12

13 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM May: Trip Planning and Packing 3 hours Helps students organize and prepare equipment and supplies for safe and enjoyable outing from properly prepared and stocked vehicle, and day pack to their base camp Demonstrates a variety of camping and outdoor products May: Large Bore Rifle Seminar 4 hours Brief warm up on.22 rifles, and then introduction 13 to large bore rifles

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15 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM June: Shotgun Seminar 8 hours Explains the differences between shotgun shooting and rifle shooting. Covers basic skills and range etiquette and introduces students to trap, skeet, and sporting clays June: Shopping Expedition and Menu Planning for Camping Field Trip 3 hours Finalize menu and shop for groceries Shopping together ensures all have the right stuff; and creates bonding opportunities 15

16 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM June: Step Outside Camping Field Trip Friday, Saturday, Sunday Quinn Canyon Wilderness Hands on experience setting up camp, fire building, Dutch oven and campfire cooking, 4-wheel driving, survival techniques, gun safety in the field, wildlife viewing, hunting and stalking techniques, and how to embellish hunting stories around the campfire 16

17 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM July: All Women Caliente Shooting Weekend Friday, Saturday, Sunday Students and female mentors Shoot everything till you drop: hand guns,. 22s, larger bore rifles Trip to Utah to Rosenbruch Wildlife Museum July: Women s Hunting Clothing, and Outdoor Hair and Skin Care 4 hours A look at what works and what doesn t 17

18 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM August: Taxidermy/Game Care/Meat Processing 4-6 hours Field dressing Lessons in caping and game care in case you shoot a big one August: Hand-gun Seminar 4 hours Review of self defense class and Nevada laws about using guns for self-protection. 18 Review range etiquette and safety

19 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM September: NDOW Range Day 8 hours Existing NDOW workshop Sight-in hunting rifle and get additional shooting practice September: Scouting Trip Friday, Saturday, Sunday Locate base camp Preview hunting terrain to accommodate students various fitness levels 19

20 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM October: Mule Deer Hunt 1 1/2 weeks Bird hunting, if you get your deer early 20

21 DIANA PROJECT CURRICULUM November: Upland Game or Waterfowl Hunt Fun way to supplement holiday table fare November: Wild Game Dinner and Project Evaluation 8 hours Explains wild game cooking techniques Students and mentors share the year s experiences and provide feedback on the Project 21

22 MENTORS AND MENTORING Principle behind Mentors and Mentoring is to supply long term social support that duplicates traditional hunting education provided by family and friends 22

23 KEY STEPS TO SUCCESS STUDENT QUOTE: The Diana Project offers women a place to start, and from there the sky s the limit. 23

24 OVERCOME COMMON MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT HUNTING AND WOMEN WHO HUNT Women cannot hunt without men Women who hunt are masculine Hunting requires great physical strength A real woman is a nurturer, and would not kill an innocent deer, or anything else Hunting is not a healthy human activity Camping is dirty and uncomfortable 24

25 OVERCOME COMMON MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT HUNTING AND WOMEN WHO HUNT Hunting is less humane than commercial meat production Humans killing wildlife disturbs the balance of nature Wild predators and deliverance-like rednecks are lurking behind every tree 25

26 SET UP THE PROPER ATTITUDE FOR LEARNING STUDENT QUOTE: How wonderful to be surrounded by mentors who assure you that you CAN hit the target. 26

27 HUNTING IS CONSERVATION Let students know how they can benefit the sport of hunting and the conservation of wildlife and habitat by promoting the traditions and ethics of hunting to others. STUDENT QUOTE: What a sense of accomplishment for us-- to go from little or no weapons knowledge to the hunting of large game. I never expected it to be easy and it is not. Women need to be out there hunting. It is important to the growth of the sport. Its a right and an obligation to know how to use the habitat, protect it, enjoy it, and teach our children to do the same. The Diana Project will continue to make a 27 difference to the women hunters in Nevada.

28 SET RULES OF BEHAVIOR Social interactions are essential Set up a non-competitive environment STUDENT QUOTE: For me, bagging a deer will be a thrill of a lifetime, knowing I did it with MY rifle because I chose to and the Diana Project prepared me to do so. If I don t get that deer? I will still have my friends from the Project. The experience of women, coming together and celebrating one another s successes, is precious. 28

29 STUDENT QUOTE: With any group, male or female, there are times of camaraderie and others of plain irritation, but the majority of the time I enjoyed all of their company. 29

30 SET RULES OF BEHAVIOR Initially, make it clear that this is a volunteer program...that the Project coordinator, each mentor, each instructor is there at their own expense Commitment is key Individual responsibility Ownership 30

31 The Snowball Effect STUDENT QUOTE: Women entering any sport have a tendency to civilize behavior. They spend money, they educate themselves and they talk to others about what they have learned. 31

32 WOMEN LEARN DIFFERENTLY THAN MEN STUDENT QUOTE: Women appear to be significantly different in learning to hunt than men, so need to be shown their own way/style is okay, in a nonjudgmental, noncompetitive environment. 32

33 DIANA, ROMAN GODDESS OF THE HUNT It is important to remember that the goal is not to have each student harvest a deer, but to teach them to hunt, and to develop their own identity as hunters Assist the Dianas in finding their own style of hunting and camping 33

34 ALL INSTRUCTION NEEDS TO BE HANDS ON Hunting is not a series of unrelated events. Just like driving a car in dangerous traffic, hunters need to apply all of their skills as a whole. Using and reusing the skills as they relate to one another helps the students assemble all of the pieces into a complete hunter Put the student in the driver s seat, whenever and where ever possible without endangering them or others 34

35 STUDENT QUOTE: I spent my entire youth trudging behind my father, then picking up the doves he shot because he didn t have a dog. In my married life I became the brush beater for my husband, flushing birds and schlepping behind on hunting trips of all kinds, becoming the default fetcher or camp cook. Surely another woman has been on these death marches and wanted to enjoy the outdoors at her own speed. Through the Diana Project I have learned much regarding outdoor skills, hunting, shooting accuracy, personal safety, and the satisfaction of meeting like minded women. But the prize is that I can hunt on my own now, following no one. 35

36 STUDENT QUOTE: If their male counterparts have co-opted them in the field, there is resentment, lack of selfconfidence, and the opportunity to be distracted because they are not in the zone - that place where all of their senses are focused on the task at hand. 36

37 MENTORS AND MENTORING Mentorship by experienced, dedicated, and ethical hunters who embody the best traditions in hunting, is key to developing social competence, ethics and responsibility in hunting. 37

38 MENTORS AND MENTORING STUDENT QUOTE: I am 53 years old, and this could possibly be one of the the best years of my life.. I was intrigued by the concept of HUNTING FOR KNOWLEDGE-- KNOWLEDGE THROUGH HUNTING. We have been introduced to many skills, challenging, yet providing a sense of pride and accomplishment. We have worked together, learning respect for the outdoors, wildlife and each other. Our mentors are extremely dedicated; enthuiastically sharing their knowledge, providing support and 38 building our confidence in ourselves.

39 BENEFITS: ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL 13 students who completed the Diana Project in 2005, spent a total of about $24,000 on guns, optics, hunting clothing and gear, and camping and outdoors equipment. MENTOR QUOTE: How do you put a price on education and passing on the experience and the legacy? 39

40 BENEFITS: ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL STUDENT QUOTE: Women can hunt. They have limited opportunities to learn, as adults. The Diana Project can provide those opportunities. If industry cares about the declining hunting numbers, yes, it is important for women to participate...you have the potential to double the number of hunters. 40

41 BENEFITS: ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL Rural towns in Nevada received additional economic benefits STUDENT QUOTE: Hunting has given me a rare opportunity to discover Nevada in all of it s beauty. Direct observation and utilization of public lands encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility 41

42 BENEFITS: ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL STUDENT QUOTE: Being able to travel and camp in rural Nevada was my greatest reward for participating in the Diana Project. How blessed I feel to live in Nevada. To leave Las Vegas and never encounter a stop light or sign for 150 miles is a unique Nevada experience. The vast valleys enhance the mountain ranges on each side. These grand views give me hope that there will always be some place of respite for wildlife and humans. Hunting and scouting gave me a motive to explore new areas, study known areas more thoroughly, and to spend time with others who appreciate the 42 animals and scenery.

43 STUDENT QUOTE: I intend to make a life change to include hunting every year. I will also be able to teach my children the skills that I am learning and will learn in the future. I intend to be a mentor next year. 43

44 FUTURE OF THE DIANA PROJECT 44

45 SUMMARY STUDENT QUOTE: I have come to a new understanding of the philosophical bases for the Diana Project. It builds skills where no skills existed. It builds vision where there was only curiosity. It builds imagination in place of vicarious experience. It builds confidence where there are no road maps. It builds friendships where there was initially no connection to another person. The Diana Project is a builder of so many things other than the skills involved in hunting. It is a builder of persons. 45