The perfectly placed shot on the heart of the prey. The hunter rejoices as he finally proved himself a man by taking the life of another animal. He skins the animal and takes the meat to be used for a nice warm meal. His family will be proud because he has successfully hunted, like his father, but it doesn’t have to always be this way. Some fathers don’t have sons and the ones in this day and age with daughters don’t shy away from passing down this sacred tradition. 

There are 15 million registered hunters within the United States and despite what most people believe, 44.3% of these hunters are women. The long standing stigma of women not being the hunters in the family is a tradition on its way out of the door. Contrary to popular belief, with this new age of hunters, traditions don’t die, and all of the gross aspects of hunting are taken in stride by the huntresses of the 21st century.

“Hunting is an activity I always did with my dad growing up, ” senior Abby Taylor said. “I love hunting because it reminds me of him because we would always skin the deer together after we were done.”

Good hunters know how to raise other good hunters, no matter their gender, and just like with every sport, the student eventually becomes the master. 

“I’ve been hunting my whole life with my dad, and on more than one occasion I spot game well before he realizes,” junior Lily Blue said. “One time when dove hunting, there was no game in sight. I saw a flock coming towards us but he was convinced it was pigeons. I knew they were doves but he only believed me when they were right above us. If he would have listened to me, we wouldn’t have hit a dry spell that day.”

Many female hunters have grown up on the lease with their parents and family members and feel as though it isn’t odd for them to be participating in the male associated sport. 

“Honestly the stigma with women hunting doesn’t affect me too much,” senior Laci Dorough said. “I’ve gone hunting with my dad and uncle on our lease since I was little, so it’s always been normal for me. Hunting trips are just a really good way for us to build stronger relationships with my dad without my mom or sister. I love the genuine time I get with him.”