If you could only hunt in one season which one would it be?
Any small game season – they are long and there is lots of shooting opportunity.
I started going hunting before I could hunt. My brother and I tagged along with our dad way before we were old enough. When I was 12 and passed my hunter education class in Oregon I started deer hunting. I hunted a lot of years before I successfully harvested my first mule deer. Public land hunting in the west is so different than whitetail hunting from a stand. My favorite place to hunt was in Eastern Oregon with my family and friends. Since my family and I have moved in different directions, out of Oregon, I haven’t found my new favorite place or season.
What do you hunt for?
I have lived in New Mexico for almost seven years, since moving here I have taken up small game hunting – upland birds and waterfowl. I hope to someday harvest a NM bull elk and maybe an Oryx – I hear they taste really good.
What hunting skill would you like to master?
I would like to become skilled at reading animal behavior. Where will they be and why?
What’s your biggest hunting challenge?
The challenge I have right now is shooting proficiently. Right now I am practicing on the clay range so I will stop missing with my shotgun in the field.
What would be the most amazing hunting adventure that is still on your bucket list?
I wouldn’t say that I have bucket list hunt, but I would love to be able to hunt with my dad again. I also would like to see my nephew harvest his first animal. I know a lot of people have a bucket list hunt, I would love to go with someone on their dream hunt – just to be a part of something fabulous. Personally for me – this is super simple sounding – but I would like to take a turkey with a bow.
What hunting skill do you wish you knew more about?
I wish I knew more about game calling and how and when to do it.
What’s the hardest hunting lesson you’ve learned?
Selecting good hunting partners is a hard lesson for some. I have been lucky or maybe just that picky in selecting who I hunt with. This is one the things we really stress in hunter education – just because someone is your friend does not mean they will make a good hunting companion. Ethics, skills and safe gun handling are important characteristics I look for – and having a dog.
If hunting was no longer an option for you what would you do with your time?
Go to the shooting range. I enjoy shooting as much as I enjoy hunting. I get as much satisfaction out of breaking a clay as I do harvesting a dove. The clays don’t taste as good though.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
I do this frequently when I teach hunter education classes. I cover safety, parts of the firearm, and eye dominance. I never follow a script and the presentation just rolls off of my tongue. I am very passionate about safe firearms handling.
How many pairs of hunting boots do you own?
Two pairs of boots but sometimes I wear my regular old Keens hunting. Do I count my waders?
What style of hunting are you most passionate about?
I am very involved in getting new hunters in the field with my 8 to 5 job, so I am passionate about small game hunting for new hunters.
NON – HUNTING RELATED
What do you like most about the SLG shooting trailer?
I love having a first time shooter, who is a little or a lot timid about firing a gun and after their first shot thy have a great big smile on their face and say “that was fun!” The controlled, safe, environment allows women to try something that they thought they would never do for a variety of reasons – one being fear. When a first timer overcomes that fear because I and SLG were able to help them it is very rewarding to me.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
What kind of question is this! I love to sleep. But if I didn’t have to I suppose I would travel and spend more time with friends and family.
What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
I would open a shooting range and make it free to all women and children – and some men. I guess that is “work” not a hobby. Racecar driving! I love to drive and feel the need for speed.
What non hunting related skill would you like to master?
Fly-fishing – I feel like a fish out of water. Some people can make it look so graceful and I am just lucky to not hook myself or the bank or someone else or a tree.
What non hunting related .. do you wish you knew more about?
Music – while I played clarinet in the band in school; I am not very musically inclined. I think being tone deaf has something to do with that.
What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of?
I love to read. When I was a kid and in college I hated to read – maybe it was the assigned reading that I didn’t like. I like to read historical fiction and biographies.
What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
Puerto Varas, Chile
Where do you usually go when you when you have time off?
I usually go to see my family in Alaska, Oregon and Michigan.
Who inspires you to be better?
The director of my agency – she is tough, charismatic, compassionate, intelligent, a fighter, a great mother and an incredible boss.
What are three interesting facts about you?
I am a cancer survivor.
I didn’t ever want to leave my hometown, but I am hundreds of miles away killing it.
I am tall for my height – I think this is a mental thing. I rarely feel as short as I am.
What is your biggest fear?
Being alone in the dark, especially outside or in new, uncomfortable places.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza… you can change the toppings!
List two pet peeves
Tailgaters and ignorant social media post – learn to spell!
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
Smell! I can’t stand stinky things like trash – maybe that should be one of my pet peeves.
Mountains or Beach?
Mountains!
Anything else you would like to add?
A lot of these questions are about hunting, which I love to do, but I do not consider myself to be a big time hunter. I think Shoot Like a Girl is about so much more than introducing women to shooting to become hunters. Hunters are an intricate part of the North American model and we need hunters – new hunters especially. To me shooting is a great pastime, an empowering activity and a skill that everyone should have. Be safe and have fun!
Great article Jessica! Saw the one on Brie too. So proud of the path you have taken and the difference you are making since leaving NRAWC. We miss you! Jack & Mera
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