Discovering the Joys of Hunting: My Experience with Wild Chix

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for the Wild Chix Intro to Hunting weekend. Growing up in the Midwest of the United States, I considered myself fairly outdoorsy. My family had 9 acres of forest, and I spent much of my childhood exploring woods and creeks.

My father worked for Winchester Ammunition, giving me experience with various firearms, though I had only shot at targets. I was involved in Girl Scouts, where I learned outdoor and survival skills. I spent my late teens and twenties camping with friends, becoming a confident camper. However, despite my experiences, I had only hunted once as a small child with my father. We went turkey hunting, and I remember being expected to sit quietly for hours. After that, I was never invited back.

A Chance to Connect with Nature

I’m not exactly a demure woman. I’m American and an obvious extrovert. I love meeting new people and sharing stories about my adventures. Making people laugh is one of my passions, and I can be a bit of a goofball. Therefore, sitting still has never been my strong suit.

By trade, I’m a professional chef. I spent most of my twenties traveling the world and working at fine dining restaurants, eventually becoming a sous chef and head chef. My life revolves around the fast-paced environment of a professional kitchen, dealing with emergencies, noise, and fluorescent lighting.

So why did I want to learn to hunt? Perhaps it was a desire to trace food back to its source. As a chef, I enjoy knowing where my food comes from. I’ve always aimed for a paddock-to-plate menu, wanting to get closer to the meat, so to speak. Collecting survival skills also appealed to me, especially in case I ever needed to fend for myself or my family. Finally, I wanted to teach my son to hunt. My wife and I agreed to ensure our children are well-rounded. I take that responsibility seriously. Plus, I had been feeling isolated as a parent and missed hanging out with like-minded women.

Having kids can be isolating, and I’ve definitely felt the lack of community over the years. That’s why I decided to step outside my comfort zone and sign up for the intro to hunting course. It ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

The camp is set up

Connecting with Like-minded Women

Before the course began, we were invited to a group chat to get to know some of the other women attending. We chatted, made carpooling plans, and introduced ourselves. Luckily, another woman from Hawkes Bay signed up, so we decided to drive the three and a half hours to the Te Urewera forest together.

The drive was comfortable, and we quickly became acquainted. When we arrived at our hut just before sunset, we were greeted with warm hugs and big smiles from the other 10 women. It felt like coming home. As we feasted on BBQ venison and listened to Izzy explain what to expect over the next few days, I felt right at home.

Soon, we geared up for a night walk “to tune in our senses,” as Izzy said. This involved walking the forest boundary as a group in near-complete darkness. Our goal was to be as quiet as possible. It was the first time I didn’t have something to say. My senses sharpened as we crept through the grass, our breath visible in the chilly air. I could see my companions, all focused on staying quiet, listening for sounds in the woods, and trying not to trip in the dark. It was intense!

After about two hours, we returned to the hut to debrief and share our experiences. We were all buzzing with adrenaline from doing something a bit scary yet fascinating. From there, we played games, enjoyed girl talk, and settled in for the night.

Bonding on the Journey

As I lay in my sleeping bag, I realized how quickly my group had bonded. We shared personal stories of hardship and formed an unexpected trust—something I wouldn’t feel as comfortable with a group of men. This thought was comforting, and I fell asleep quickly, only getting told to stop snoring once!

The next morning, we walked the same boundary in daylight. It was amazing how different everything looked. Our footsteps echoed more loudly, and the path was easier to navigate. What took us two hours in darkness took only about 30 minutes in the light. We searched for deer signs and learned to identify stag and hind poop, deciphering its age and recognizing other signs of deer nearby. It was fascinating!

We spent the day learning about navigation and firearms. We practiced shooting targets with .22 rifles and learned about river crossings and mountain safety. We took turns leading the group through the bush, empowering ourselves. There were no silly questions or pressure to know everything. If anyone felt uncomfortable, they could take things at their own pace. I felt a collective comfort that is often absent in male-dominated learning environments. Facts and skills were broken down and demonstrated clearly. More help was given without condescension; it was a refreshing experience.

An Empowering Hunting Experience

Day 3 was perhaps my favorite. I woke up at 4 am to a -4-degree morning. Nat, a fellow student, and I were heading out with Izzy for an early morning hunt. The others opted to go later with another instructor. Izzy emerged from her tent, surprisingly chipper despite the freezing temperature.

We quietly made our way to Nat’s chosen spot, where she had seen fresh signs of wildlife. As we settled in on the frozen ground, I felt an incredible sense of peace. There was no noise except for our quiet breathing. My typically busy mind, filled with thoughts and worries, was also quiet. What was this magic? We sat in silence until just before sunrise.

Izzy then led us into the bush to follow a small stream. Climbing through bramble and over fallen trees, I felt a connection to the forest unlike anything I had experienced despite my rural upbringing. I was instantly hooked. We explored the forest for hours, climbing hills and navigating the terrain while Izzy scrambled like a nimble goat. I huffed along behind but still smiled.

After returning to the hut around 9 am for breakfast, it was time for butchering. Izzy had brought a deer for us to butcher, and I was eager to delve into the process. As a chef, I’ve butchered a lot of meat, but I had never processed an entire animal from start to finish. It was an educational experience. We worked together to skin the animal, break it down into pieces, clean cuts, and package the meat. It felt right, as if women had been doing this for centuries to feed each other.

As our time in the forest came to an end, I felt a wave of sadness. I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to stay and continue enjoying the incredible peace I had discovered with my new friends. However, it was time to go. With hugs and promises to reunite, I started my drive back to Hawkes Bay, my passenger dozing quietly beside me.

A New Beginning

My group still stays in touch, and Nat and I have become very good friends. Our time in the forest undoubtedly bonded us. As soon as I got home, I felt like I had only scratched the surface of a whole new world. A lifetime of knowledge awaits me, along with incredible adventures and amazing companions to share the journey. Luckily, I know just the women to help me along my path.

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For anyone looking to start their adventure in hunting, I encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and connect with like-minded individuals. The experience can lead to unexpected friendships and skills you'll cherish for a lifetime.