“I Didn’t Just Find Hunting… I Found Myself Again.”
- isabell8785
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
by Sarah Waaka
Somewhere along the journey of being a wife, becoming a mother, navigating the end of a marriage, and stepping into single motherhood, I had forgotten myself. I had lost me.
But deep down, I also knew I wanted to find myself again. I wanted to rediscover who I was outside of everyone else’s needs and expectations.
So, I decided it was time to prioritise myself and the things I genuinely enjoyed. That’s when I booked the Intro to Hunting weekend through Wild Chix - and honestly, it was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.
I drove to Sika Lodge filled with anxiety, nervousness, excitement… really, every emotion possible. I knew roughly what to expect, but at the same time, I had absolutely no idea what I was walking into.
When I arrived, I was greeted by Izzy and the women who were already there. I picked a bunk room without even knowing who I’d be sharing with. Shortly after, I met Liz from Hunters Element and did an interview with her, which can be found on both the Wild Chix and Hunters Element Instagram pages.
Afterwards, I sat outside trying to mingle while internally thinking, What have I gotten myself into?
But almost instantly, the nerves started to fade. Every woman there was welcoming, supportive, and genuinely kind. Some of us came from very similar walks of life, while others had completely different experiences, yet we were all there for the same reason: to learn, to challenge ourselves, to step outside our comfort zones, and to prove that hunting and the outdoors aren’t just for men.
Once everyone had arrived, we gathered around the firepit, sharing stories, laughs, and an incredible platter prepared by Katie. Later that night, we headed out on a night walk together - bonding, testing our senses, and completely immersing ourselves in the outdoors.
The next morning, we were up bright and early to head into the bush and learn about bush stalking, identifying signs of deer and pigs, and moving silently through the bush. It was peaceful, grounding, and honestly healing in a way I didn’t expect.
When we returned, Katie had yet another incredible meal waiting for us. Every single thing she made that weekend was amazing - but the mango chia pudding? Absolutely unforgettable.
Over the weekend, I learnt about firearm safety, firearm and ammunition types, navigation, what to pack for hunting trips, and so much more. What stood out most was how encouraged questions were. Never once was I made to feel silly or judged for not knowing something. Izzy and the team created such a safe, supportive environment to learn in.
The final day ended up being my favourite because it included the part I had been looking forward to most: butchery.
That was the moment everything clicked for me. It genuinely felt like a fire had been lit inside me. I realised I had finally found something I was passionate about again. I learnt so much during the butchery session and loved that I could be as hands-on as I wanted to be, without any pressure.
And I think that’s one of the most important things about the Wild Chix weekends - it’s your weekend. You can throw yourself into absolutely everything or simply participate in the parts that interest you most. There’s no pressure, no judgement, and no shame if something isn’t for you.
I left that weekend feeling inspired, empowered, supported, and hungry for more.
Since attending, I’ve become so much more confident in myself, my abilities, and my willingness to step outside my comfort zone and actually go hunting. Just this past week, I was out duck shooting on the property where I live and can now confidently process and butcher ducks myself.
I’m incredibly passionate about what Wild Chix stands for, but I’m also deeply passionate about encouraging other women - especially single or solo mums - to rediscover themselves too. To prioritise their own wants, passions, and growth.
I truly believe every woman, whether she’s a mum, child-free, single, married, or divorced, could gain something from one of these weekends. Whether it’s the learning experience, the empowerment, the connection, or the lifelong friendships you walk away with.
For me, this was so much bigger than hunting.
It was about finding myself again.
And now, I just want more. More learning, more growth, more experiences, more Wild Chix weekends. I want to continue building my skills, continue providing for my daughter and myself, and one day be able to pass that passion and knowledge on to my daughter so she can hopefully grow up knowing she’s capable of absolutely anything too.
