In the beginning, I was the girl in the background, ease-dropping on the “guy conversations”, wanting to know more.
Oh, but I wasn’t invited into those dialogues. Instead my curiosity was met with sarcasm. I endured smirks and taunting’s, like “What? You want to shoot Bambi? Awwwwe, you wouldn’t shoot Bambi, would you?”
Once I finally expressed interest to a more temperate boyfriend, I became the girl wearing mismatched, oversized men’s camo clothing. Clunking along through the woods with my size 7 feet in a men’s 11 Sorels.
From there, I trailed behind several boyfriends, trying to do exactly as told; walk quietly, no sudden movements, sit still, stay down wind. Oh, how cute I was. Oh, how patronizing things were sometimes. I was “darlin” and “sweetie” and “hon” a lot. I would be told “horror stories” about field dressing and blood trails, challenging my sensibilities.
Then I built my own bow.
I was given a hodgepodge assortment of 5 arrows.
I practiced daily.
I became a really good shot.
In 6 years and 4 boyfriends, I spent many days in the field, but had yet to bag my first deer. It was in those early years that I discovered a few important things, like; not all guys were good hunters, and watching a guy take a 250 yard “Hail Mary” shot across an open field while screaming out obscenities might not be the thing to emulate, and what it took to unwrap and eat a snickers bar without getting caught. It was in those early years that I discovered my paralyzing, unconquerable fear of heights, and my intuitive comfort level being alone in the woods.
I discovered hunting was my calling.
Shortly after those 6 years of trials, tribulations and “ah ha” moments I landed the dream job that would shape the rest of my life: selling ads for a leading hunting magazine. The floodgates of knowledge and opportunity opened up for this girl in a matter of weeks, as I met virtually every major manufacturer and personality in the hunting industry over the winter.
I found a new circle.
And it wasn’t at all like the one I started out with.
The first “real” hunting attire I was given was more exciting than getting a diamond ring. A complete TreBark camo outfit—still the most cherished articles of clothing I own. And although I was proud as punch to show off my self-built “compound bow in a kit”, Olympic Champion Ann Clark had other plans for me. Suddenly I was the proud owner of a Hoyt Specta bow, which I still have today. Then, Jim Dougherty presented me with a dozen (yes, a whole dozen!) matched arrows. Clearly, my new colleagues were determined to have me “dressed for success”. Soon I was to find out why….
That next fall I was invited to be part of the Inaugural All Woman Bowhunt, hosted by Bob Eastman, President of Gametracker Company. An elite group of a dozen women from the outdoors industry banding together for a week of media blazed deer hunting on Bobs private property; the “Tens Or Better Ranch”. The group included amazing women like Ann Clark, Ann Hoyt, Jeanne Dunn, Kay Richey, Marilyn Nicholas, Kathy Beutler, Jan Bobsine, and my dear friend Loral I Delaney. I confided to Loral I that I felt out of my league. I could barely contain my excitement to be surrounded by such fabulous women in a hunting camp.
Talk about going from rags to riches–surely I was dreaming! Was this all just a Cinderella fairy tale? I packed up my fancy TreBark outfit, a few other mismatched items, my new bow and arrows, and by then I had acquired a dozen Rocky Mountain Broadheads from Barrie Archery….
And I was on a plane to Michigan with Loral I.
Bob Eastman’s “people” picked us up and brought us to his home. Stepping into his house was like walking into a wildlife museum. Dozens of stunning exotic mounts were displayed throughout the main floor. Animals he had harvested from all corners of the earth were there. It was truly breath taking. I was in awe of Bob Eastman before I even met him.
And then we were introduced.
He was bursting with energy; a complex, articulate, innovative, creative man with a serious passion for the outdoors. I watched him bounce back and forth from playful banter with his guests to stepping aside with his staff to talk business. He approached me squarely, enthusiastically, and addressed me by name. He never once called me ‘darling, sweetie or hon’. He pulled me aside and asked me questions about my work, and told me about his company. He talked hunting with me on purpose, as an equal. He was genuinely excited that I was a part of the group. He made me feel welcome, but more importantly, he made me feel worthy, when, admittedly I was wondering why, with all the women to choose from, I was invited to be a part of this group?
Bob Eastman became my first outdoors idol.
One of the criteria for Bobs hunting event was agreeing to use his String Tracker product. Like most hunting accessories, I’d never heard of them until stepping into my new career, and I had much to learn. I was becoming a sponge for devouring information. He spoke about the String Tracker with such conviction that by the end of the week, I was ready to go out and convert every bowhunter in the country.
By the end of the week, I was the only participant to arrow a deer. And it was my first deer, ever! And it was harvested using the String Tracker. Cameras snapped image after image of Bob and I, Loral I and I, and just me. The inaugural event wasn’t even over, but Bob was already talking about setting up the next one.
He made me feel accomplished. I was showered with lavish gifts including a hand painted wildlife scene from Chuck Denault. I was celebrated at dinner the last evening of our event, and my confidence as a bowhunter simply rose off the charts. That confidence has stayed with me for years and years. And through the years of working in the hunting industry, Bob always treated me like a good friend and colleague. He bragged about my first deer to everyone he came in contact with, even years later. 
I am blessed to know Bob Eastman and have shared our passion for the outdoors in business, and hunting camp. His supportive, confidence boosting nature has made a lasting impression on my heart, and in my life.
You can read about all sorts of ideas, opinions and feelings from the heart and soul of an outdoorswoman… there are lots of topics covered in my blog category, “Girl Outdoors”, and “Words from the Wild”. Please feel free to share with others who may find meaning and value in my personal perspective, and PR Brady AdVentures.
About PR
Speak Your Mind