A Place to Belong

"This event helped me feel like I belong in the outdoors."

For one woman, those words summed up four days that changed the way she viewed hunting and her place in it.

Through the National Wild Turkey Federation's Women in the Outdoors (WITO) program, women in Michigan gained more than an introduction to deer hunting. They found mentorship, confidence and an opportunity to hunt at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, where access to certain properties has been limited in recent years.

Held Oct. 15-18, the four-day mentored hunt brought aspiring hunters and experienced mentors together for an adventure that some participants had been hoping to experience for years.

But getting started isn't always easy.

For many hunters, the tradition begins in childhood, tagging along behind a parent, learning to shoot or listening to stories at deer camp. For those who weren't raised around hunting, stepping into that world as an adult can feel intimidating.

"Most people depend on family or childhood immersion when starting outdoor sports," one participant shared. "If those pathways do not exist, the barriers are steep and often isolating."

She admitted that before attending the WITO hunt, she was hesitant. She didn't know the language of hunting and had never hunted before, despite being interested for years.

That's exactly the kind of barrier WITO programs help break down.

With limited openings available, women applied for a chance to participate and completed hunter safety education before the event. Their adventure began Thursday afternoon with classroom instruction covering conservation, deer biology, shot placement and the responsibilities that come with hunting.

Friday brought a little more excitement as the women headed to the range. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants practiced shooting crossbows with field points and broadheads, gaining confidence before heading into the woods.

Then came the early alarms, dark mornings and anticipation of deer season.

Before daylight Saturday, mentors accompanied hunters to their blinds, where the women could finally put their new skills to the test.

Throughout the weekend, participants experienced the challenges and rewards of deer hunting firsthand. Several deer were harvested, creating opportunities to learn about tracking, field dressing and what happens after a successful shot.

But the weekend's success wasn't measured solely by filled tags.

One participant recalled how the mentors created an environment where questions were welcomed, mistakes became learning opportunities and nobody was made to feel inexperienced or out of place.

She especially appreciated the opportunity to learn practical skills, from navigating unfamiliar terrain in the dark to understanding ethical shot placement.

"The instructors and mentors demonstrated AND guided us through the exact mechanics of what was going to happen, to genuinely remove our fear," she wrote.

The location itself offered another connection to conservation. Established in 2001, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge protects valuable habitat along the lower Detroit River and western Lake Erie. The hunt provided an opportunity for urban hunters to experience deer hunting on refuge property where access had been limited in recent years.

NWTF Michigan R3 Coordinator Jen Davis helped make the event possible alongside U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and fellow mentors.

"The vision the NWTF has of a nation united by the life-changing power of the outdoors is so much more than just well crafted words, it is the direct marching orders we follow when developing a program like this,” said Davis. “Taking care to prepare new hunters and mentors for a carefully scaffolded educational and immersive outdoor experience was a driv8ng force for myself and our partners at USFWS. We also took care to empower each woman to define their own success metrics. Making it clear that a successful hunt looks different for each hunter."

Participant Michelle Bochinski praised Davis and refuge representative Maddie Drury for their leadership and welcoming instruction.

"The combination of professionalism, patience and encouragement helped participants feel comfortable learning new skills and asking questions," Bochinski wrote.

The appreciation didn't stop there.

"This was, hands down, one for the memory books," another participant shared.

One woman was so inspired by the experience that she had already encouraged three others to consider attending a future WITO event. That's the kind of impact that extends well beyond a weekend in the deer woods.

Through mentorship, education and expanded hunting opportunities, the NWTF continues helping people discover an outdoor tradition they might otherwise never have experienced.

For these Michigan women, the hunt meant more than learning to shoot a crossbow or spending a morning in a blind. It meant overcoming fears, building friendships and finding the confidence to return to the woods.

And sometimes, the greatest success isn't the deer you bring home.

It's discovering a place where you belong.