Women on the Wing program reaches a broad cast of characters and critters, builds a new hunting community
By John Motoviloff, R3 Coordinator for Pheasants Forever in Wisconsin
Anyone familiar with Pheasants Forever’s Women on the Wing Initiative knows that it provides sportswomen the confidence and skills to take to the uplands and become passionate conservationists.
While the wild ringneck pheasant is often — and understandably — billed as the star of this show, there’s actually a much broader cast of characters and critters that comes together to create the nexus of outdoor opportunities which is Women on the Wing.
BADGER STATE MIXED BAG
Reflecting the generalist hunting culture common in the Badger State, Wisconsin’s Women on the Wing offerings can be characterized as a “mixed bag” of offerings. Two Women on the Wing hunting camps (wild turkey and upland), several wingshooting nights at trap clubs, and a conservation workday, round out the offerings.
But this is only part of the story. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides funding for Pheasants Forever’s Wisconsin R3 and Outreach Coordinator position — as well as for three other partner R3 coordinator positions. These institutions work hand-in-glove to deliver varied and broad R3 programming, including small game, archery/crossbow, deer hunting, butchering, shed hunting, and wild game cooking classes.
The net result is that aspiring hunters of all stripes have access to an array of outdoor programs—and the social support needed to help them become hunters.
“Preparation is essential to seizing opportunities, and becoming a hunter is a long-term journey with many steps,” said Pheasants Forever Hunting Heritage Program Manager Ashley Chance. “That’s why Women on the Wing programs focus on more than just pheasants. Mastering a rifle opens the door to shotguns, and learning to shoot removes barriers to hunting. Whether someone starts with deer hunting or has access to mentors who specialize in turkeys, we meet them where the opportunity to engage with wildlife exists.”
Wild game dishes are a hallmark of Women on the Wing programs, whether part of an elegant Women, Wine, and Wild game banquet or a rustic hunting camp. Credit: John Motoviloff
SUCCESS STORIES
Demand is strong for these classes and full rosters — often with waiting lists — are the norm. Meet a handful of participants.
Mary Beall
Mary Beall, an energy-environmental lawyer in her mid-30s, grew up in Montana and had hunted deer. But Beall credits participating in Women on the Wing Wild hunting camps and wingshooting nights with rekindling her connection to hunting. While she didn’t bag game, she did gain skills and confidence.
“I don’t think I would’ve caught the bird hunting bug without these opportunities, or the conversation and support of the group willing to taking a six-year vegetarian out to hunt. Our conversations have stuck with me,” Beall said.
Upland lessons learned, Beall took to the field in November 2024 on a trip back to her home state of Montana to hunt upland birds with her father.
“Our first day hunting I harvested two Hungarian partridge. This was my first time taking a shot at a bird in the air, I missed the first shot but was able to follow up with a successful shot and then we broke their covey again and I got my second bird,” she said.
But Beall wasn’t finished yet.
“Our second day, we saw some turkeys off the road and figured it would be an easy stalk. Most people go to this area for pheasants and sharpies, but I really wanted a turkey to serve to my wife’s family on Thanksgiving — they’ve never had wild game and have been very gracious in humoring my desire to serve them turkey. We stalked those turkeys for three miles through a ravine and over the hills surrounding the ravine. We finally were able to get in front of them and get a good shot. I killed my first turkey, a bearded hen, and shortly after my dad got a Jake. I felt so much joy and accomplishment in the hunt!”
Mary Beall with her first upland bird: a Hungarian partridge. Credit: Mary Beall
Shannon Lipe
Shannon Lipe, a carpenter in her mid-20s, is another program success story.
Women on the Wing gatherings and Learn to Hunt classes offered by the Wisconsin DNR helped forge her path in the outdoors. Lipe also served as president of the South-Central Wisconsin’s Women’s Chapter, and enjoys participating in habitat workdays.
While becoming a bird hunter is on her bucket list, she has taken advantage of the ample outdoor opportunities around her to become a skilled deer hunter and trout angler.
“I took a series of these classes and hunting and fishing for my own protein have become an integral part of my life,” Lipe said. “Without them, I would never have stepped foot into this amazing lifestyle!”
Women on the Wing and Learn to Hunt courses aren’t just for pheasants. Shannon Lipe, pictured here, has become an avid deer hunter. Credit: Shannon Lipe
Shayna Vendela and Brittney Hubbell
Still another Wisconsin Women on the Wing success story involves two Pheasants Forever, Minnesota-based Farm Bill Biologists, Shayna Vendela and Brittney Hubbell.
Vendela, an experienced outdoorswoman, mentored Hubbell at a Women on the Wing turkey hunting class. According to Vendela, “I’m not just handing down the knowledge of hunting, I’m also igniting courage and independence.”
Correspondingly, Hubbell said that spending time in the field with other women (and hunting with a woman mentor) was a “unique boding bonding adventure.” As an added bonus, Hubbell harvested her first wild turkey in the class and was able to bring it home to cook for her family.
Pheasants Forever Minnesota Farm Bill Biologist Brittney Hubbell harvested her first wild turkey at a Women on the Wing hunt. Her mentor was her coworker and friend, Shayna Vendela. Credit: Brittney Hubbell
Partnerships Make It All Happen
The limits of time and space preclude telling all of Wisconsin’s Women on the Wing stories success stories here. But suffice it to say, there are many more. There are mentees who have become mentors, turkey and deer hunter who have become upland hunters, and upland hunters who have branched out into adjacent pursuits like waterfowling and trapshooting.
Pheasants Forever, its great chapters, and its unmatched volunteers, can’t do it all alone. In addition to the Wisconsin DNR, Other organizations such as HerUpland, Artemis Sportswomen and the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) have supplied mentor and dog power.
While these programs and partners are helping make good on the lofty promise of continuing the hunting heritage that feeds the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, they also deserve credit for something simple: As women are the only growing demographic in the world of hunting recruitment, they are also backing a winning team.
Pheasants Forever is backing a winning team with Women on the Wing programs. Credit: John Motoviloff