LEADERSHIP STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Learn more about Angie Kokes

We asked Angie Kokes a few fun questions. Leadership Staff Spotlight is designed to help you get to know our awesome team of Leadership Staff a little better. Angie lives in Nebraska and is and an avid hunter.


If you could only hunt in one season which one would it be? – I feel like I’m cheating on all the other seasons by answering this question.  But I’d have to say bow season which also doubles as spear season.  Four and half months of chasing whitetails is heaven on earth to me.

What’s your favorite location to hunt? – Home!  Being from Central Nebraska and living along the North Loup River, I simply couldn’t ask for a better place to hunt.

Who introduced you to hunting? – My dad as soon as I was old enough to tag along.

What do you hunt for? – Basically whatever is in season and whatever I can.  I also trap during the winter months.

What hunting skill would you like to master? -  I want to one day spear a bear.

What’s your biggest hunting challenge? - Learning to master the spear has been to date the greatest hunting challenge I’ve ever taken on.  Since mastering it, the biggest challenge now is finding places where it is a legal means to hunt with.

What would be the most amazing hunting adventure that is still on your bucket list? – Spearing a bear….can you tell I’m hung up on that?  I’ve put so much work into learning to exel with the spear… to be able to go after a bear I’m a little obsessed with it.  And someday I want to go after the giant non-typical muley that I’ve dreamt about for years!

What hunting skill do you wish you knew more about? – My brother in law got me a blow gun for Christmas that has been a blast to play with, but so far I haven’t gotten a shot at a rabbit, but it’s coming I promise you that!  I’d like to get more accurate with the Atlatl, and get better at calling ducks and geese.

What’s the hardest hunting lesson you’ve learned? – To listen to my gut.  I was hunting what may have been a state record bow whitetail in 2013 and we moved a stand in on where I had patterned him.  Just as we finished getting it set the wind switched and made it just all wrong to hunt the location that day.  After cleaning up and walking back in everything in my heart told me to not worry about the wind and get in the stand.  I didn’t listen and instead hunted the wind and had to watch the buck come from the opposite direction he’d been coming for three weeks, walk right up to the ladder stand and rub on it.  Watching the whole show from my upwind position just 200 yards away  I wanted to throw up, cry and scream all at once.  It haunts me to this day.

If hunting was no longer an option for you what would you do with your time? – I’d like to think I would probably be dead if hunting was no longer an option, but if it did happen I’d probably trap and fish more.

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation? – Spear hunting

How many pairs of hunting boots do you own? – Probably 2 or 3.  It might sound crazy but I will take off on a spot and stalk in my work clothes and cowboy boots if I happen to be out working and see something to go after.  Yes I always carry my bow with me everywhere during season.  So my work boots kind of double as my hunting boots.

What style of hunting are you most passionate about? Spear, Bow and anything Primitive or challenging.

NON – HUNTING RELATED

What do you like most about Shoot Like A Girl’s Mission? – I love everything about SLG’s mission!  I’ve always been super passionate about introducing women to the sport of shooting.  And any chance to empower a woman with confidence, especially with a firearms or equipment she may have once feared is even better!

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time? – I’m a hobby junky so anything working with my hands and mind and making and designing something.  I’d like to write a book someday too.

What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue? – Knife Making

What non hunting related skill would you like to master? – I’d like to learn the fiddle or banjo

What non hunting related do you wish you knew more about? – Wood working with roots and tree stumps and different kinds of inlays.

What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of? – I pretty much wear my life on my sleeve, so I think most people probably know everything about me, which relates to if something is a challenge or someone has suggested I might not be able to do something I’ll be out there trying it the next day.

What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home? – Northern Quebec

Where do you usually go when you when you have time off? – What is time off?

Who inspires you to be better? – The Good Lord and my husband

What are three interesting facts about you?
- I’ve had 28 broken bones including two vertebrae in my neck
- I’m a former Miss Rodeo Texas Tech
- I love hard, physical work

What is your biggest fear? Spiders and Helicopters, nope, nope, nope!

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Pizza or Steak it would be a toss up.
List two pet peeves
- Liars & Cheaters…I have no tolerance for either.
- People with skills they don’t appreciate or use.

Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?- Although I’m hard of hearing around background noise, when I’m hunting my hearing is probably my biggest asset.

One thing that not a lot of people know you love to do? - I love fixing and building fence and do a lot of custom work for people.

Mountains or Beach? - Both

Anything else you would like to add? – With so much chaos in the world including the gun and hunting debates I’m thrilled the Shoot Like a Girl Trailer exists and is out there actively educating people with facts and not opinions.  I’m blessed and proud to be a part of this great team!

How We Measure Success........

Making memories in the field and enjoying the great outdoors is what hunting is all about!

In August 2015, Shoot Like A Girl was a featured exhibitor at the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show.  As part of the event, we teamed up with Monquin Creek Outfitters, of Virginia, to give away a spring turkey hunt for the 2016 season to one lucky shooter at our trailer from the show.  Monquin Creek Outfitters is known throughout the country as one of the premier places for turkey and I was thrilled at the opportunity to aid in this hunt’s success for our lucky winner.

Rita Cook was randomly selected as our winner.  I had such a great time talking with Rita in preparation for the hunt, her excitement was radiating through the phone! 

My April calendar was filling up fast!  What an exciting month! My daughter has accompanied my husband and I turkey hunting her entire life. At eight years old it was finally time for her to try and fill her very first tag. My family traveled to Kansas to hunt with our daughter for the youth season. What an emotional roller costar that was! Kansas is know for its large turkey population and we had many close encounters along with two missed shots. All the time spent teaching and helping assist my husband in molding here with all the needed skills for her success in the field I almost cried after those two missed opportunities. She didn’t get her first turkey but learned many valuable lessons in the field; and she would eventually harvest her first turkey towards the end of April.  Tears of joy flowed that day I must confess. After my families trip to Kansas it was time to go to work for Shoot Like A Girl.  We were a featured exhibitor at the Cabela’s store grand opening in Short Pump, VA. The Cabela’s grand opening was a success and I even got the chance to meet Rita’s family at the event.

It was finally time to travel to Manquin, VA in preparation for an early morning date with the turkeys.  There is always something special about sharing the outdoors with another female that loves and shares in the same passion. Knowing the alarm would sound extremely early that morning we couldn’t help but sit up late the night before trading stories and getting to know one another better.

I wanted nothing more than to help locate and watch Rita successfully harvest a turkey, unfortunately, this is not one of those articles.

I had many highs this turkey season, my daughter harvested her first bird, which I must confess is at the top of the list, and I too, had several successful hunts harvesting birds in various states.  As I look back on the 2016 turkey season and the many days in the field, this hunt with Rita actually makes the top three.

Accompanying us on the hunt was Chip from Monquin Creek Outfitters, along with Hank who was representing Virginia Outdoor Sportsman’s Show. The turkeys were extremely quiet that morning and as you turkey hunters know, it is very hard to harvest a quiet bird.  A few distant gobbles from the roost and that was it, the odds were defiantly stacked against us!  Even through the struggles with the turkeys we were having a great time.  We all shared stories as we traveled to from location to location, looking for that hot lonely tom.  I have to applaud Chip, he tried as hard as he could to get Rita on a bird, we logged many miles and covered a lot of ground in our efforts.  As I got to know Rita better, I began to understand the various obstacles she has faced in hunting. Rita had struggled to find information of public hunting opportunities in her area; she also struggled with acceptance as a female hunter in her local hunting club.  As I learned of her troubles, I started evaluate how we measure success as a hunter.

Success is not measured in our harvest!  To me, success is enjoying the outdoors and passing along our knowledge and skills to others, to passionately appreciate the beauty and serenity of the outdoors that the good Lord created! Hank and Chip were able to share with Rita their knowledge of various public hunting opportunities and hunting clubs in her area that she had previously not known about.  I am so grateful I had the opportunity to hunt and share the outdoors with Rita, Chip, and Hank, and I am thrilled to call each of them friends!  It’s amazing how fast the outdoors bonds people together from various backgrounds.  I have enjoyed keeping in touch with Rita since the hunt and here are her thoughts about the hunt.

“I was fortunate enough to win a turkey hunt at Monquin Creek with Shoot Like a Girl’s Cristy Crawford.  To say I was excited is the understatement of the year!  I was going to get to hunt some of the best land in my area with a woman hunter that I totally admired.  It was a dream hunt for me. I made that fatal turkey hunting mistake of assuming that I was no doubt going to harvest a turkey.  How could I not, right?  Ha!!  Turkeys never make it that easy, which is exactly why I can’t stop!  The ups and downs of turkey hunting are what make it so exciting.  This hunt was no exception.  We heard some Toms early but they did not follow the script we had written.  We hunted all morning and I had a blast!  I did not harvest a turkey but the hunt was everything I dreamed it would be.  I met some awesome people and I got to experience hunting with them.  Never miss an opportunity to hunt with experienced hunters because they will teach you so much.  Cristy was no exception.  She shared stories and offered advice that will help me to become a better hunter.  This hunt was a HUGE success because I was able to hear turkeys, hunt beautiful land, and made friends that will last a lifetime and that is what hunting is all about.”  – Rita Cook

Making memories in the field and enjoying the great outdoors is what hunting is all about. Measure success by the memories and knowledge created in the field and you will always have a successful hunt! Take a friend hunting and help us pass on the blessings of the great outdoors!

Come Shoot a Pistol, Rifle & Bow with Shoot Like A Girl at the 2016 Virginia Outdoor Sportsmans Show! Click Here for More Details

For More Information on Monquin Creek Outfitters     CLICK HERE 

Cristy Crawford - Shoot Like A Girl 

Chief Operations Officer, Cabela’s Pro Staff

Shoot Like A Girl Releases 2016 1st Quarter Report

INSTRUCTORS CORNER: Why we Teach... An Inside View from SLG Instructor Brielle Eaton

I will never forget her. It was my first show, a trial to see if I had ‘it’ to become a Shoot Like A Girl Instructor. After a tough set up in the rain and a run through of range procedures, we were ready. I love teaching, it was a gift passed down from my mother who is a baby whisperer, I mean a swim teacher. I have watched countless hours of her tender and, firm but gentle approach, learning and emulating as much I could.

We were preparing for a lunch break, when a woman entered. Karen had cleared the trailer leaving only the instructors, so this woman would be free from worry and stress of critical eyes watching. As she approached the rifle station, I could see her visibly trembling, I could sense her anxiety as she approached. I introduced myself and our eyes met. Tears were brimming and I asked if she was okay. She told the story of a violent childhood, where guns were used as a scare tactic, that she had witnessed a shooting and had never held a firearm. I told her, she didn’t have to participate if she didn’t want to and I would explain the process before even letting her handle the rifle. She nodded that she wanted to continue and said something that I will admire her for forever, “I want to have courage, this is me being brave”. I smiled gently and walked her though the mechanics of loading the firearm. She shouldered the rifle and shot once, tears streamed from her eyes and she asked me to take the rifle. With the flood of emotions she needed some air and exited the trailer. To be honest, I felt a little like a failure. Only one shot? That was all I could get her through?

As I was beginning to believe the sceptics in my own mind, she came back into the trailer. She came straight to me and hugged me still weeping. She graciously thanked me and thanked me for a chance to conquer her fears. Still shocked and amazed, I thanked her for her display of courage and told her it took a lot to be that brave after all she’s been through.

I know “Instructors Corner” is supposed to be tactical advise on gear or shooting techniques to help people become better shooters. But my advice from this experience and my own life, is that being brave will be uncomfortable but to have courage in those moments. For a lot of women, shooting (bows or firearms) can be intimidating. Heck, sometimes being a woman can be overwhelming. But doing those things which we think we cannot do, makes us stronger and more confident, if not wiser. Even Shoot Like A Girl was started by a woman calling deep on her courage and being brave. So my ‘advise’ is, to find opportunities to call deep on your courage and be brave, and encourage those around you to do the same.

Shoot Like A Girl's Karen Butler's thoughts after attending CNN's Guns in America – The President’s Town Hall

I was very excited when I was invited by CNN to be an audience member on their program, “Guns in America – The President’s Town Hall” hosted by Anderson Cooper.  I did not know what to expect, but I was eager to have the opportunity to talk about safe responsible gun ownership and give a voice for those of us who value the 2d Amendment.  I went into this event a bit naïve of the Washington DC politics, and came out with several observations about the process and the people that we all need to take seriously.  During the Town Hall the president mocked people who think there is a conspiracy theory to take all our guns, but there are hints of it everywhere from the protesters, to the politics, the setting, and to the untruths.  The good news is that the level of encouragement and support I had from friends and strangers alike strengthens my will to advocate for safe, responsible gun ownership.

The Protesters.  I have to say, I just don’t get it.  These people were gathered and holding their “No Guns” and “No terrorist” with a picture of gun signs, and little children’s t-shirts hung on a line to represent children who were killed.  That would seem like a somber moment to me, but these people were clapping, and cheering for the President’s executive order, saying “Thank you”.  They were, well, having a huge party.  I’m certain, they think this order is one step closer to the complete disarming of America.  Click here to see the video  of their celebration.

The Politics.  Even though I disagree with the viewpoint of the President, I was excited for the opportunity to not only see, but talk to the President of the United States.  Unfortunately, this excitement turned to disappointment only two minutes into his speech.  He wasn’t giving a speech you say, actually he was.  It didn’t matter what the questions were, he had his talking points and in my opinion, this wasn’t about hearing from both sides, this was about driving home the point that he does not think much of guns and gun owners.  His utter contempt for the NRA, which I am a proud life member of, was apparent.  I would say I was offended, but that is really the other side’s shtick, I was just extremely irritated. 

The Setting.  CNN claimed that the audience was 50/50 with pro and anti gun supporters.  Not true.  The questions may have been 50/50, which was nice; however, the audience was more like 10/90.  I believe there were about six pro 2d Amendment people there. The rest of the audience was made up of extremely biased, anti-gun fanatics.  I tried to have rational discussions, but these were unreasonable people.  This scene was set that way, purposefully. 

Karen and Taya Kyle

The Untruths.  I was amazed at how bad the data was that was used to make points.  The surveys that were used to support the opposing position were from 1999, and extreme anti-gun groups collected the data.  The worst to me though, was when Kim Corbin’s question was addressed, and the President condescendingly inferred that women who use guns to protect themselves are too stupid to get training and will have the gun turned on them and/or their children will be killed because the gun is in the home.  Talk about a war on women, this was just ridiculous. 

All of these factors made me realize just how organized people who oppose the 2d Amendment are, and how we had better be prepared to come together and stand up for our rights.  I am confident we can, because as I started this journey, strangers and friends embraced me.  One of my favorite moments was from the ticket agent at the airport counter, when I told her I was headed to the Town Hall to advocate for gun rights, and she gave me a huge hug, and screamed, “Go get ‘em!”  This random act of support gives me faith that together we will persevere.

Karen in the background, agreeing with the Sheriff

Come see us at Cabela's Grand Opening in Hunstville, AL and Take Advantage of 10% off Handguns From Cabela's

Come to Cabela's Grand Opening in Huntsville, AL October 2-7, 2015 to take advantage of this great offer!! Come Shoot A Pistol, Rifle & Bow with us in our trailer October 3-4 11:00 am - 5:00 pm.

Shoot Like A Girl Takes a Shot at Knocking Out Breast Cancer

Shoot Like AGirl released the results of the Annual “I Shoot For The Girls” Archery Tournament today and the addition of a sanctioned National Breast CancerFoundation (NBCF) Firearms Tournament that runs September 1^st to February 28th, 2016!  President and founder, Karen Butler stated that, “We raised $8,317.00 this past year, and have set a new goal of raising $20,000 by adding a Firearms Tournament to our already successful Archery Tournament!”  Partnered with TRUGLO, the “I Shoot Like a Girls” Firearms Target provides shooters the opportunity to compete on a national level in a fun mail-in tournament. “It is a great honor and privilege to be able to participate with SLG2 in an event that raises money for a cause that has touched the lives of so many people. Everyone knows someone that has experienced breast cancer either directly or indirectly,” stated Lorraine Hellinghausen, V.P. of Marketing for TRUGLO, Inc.

To date, Shoot Like A Girl has raised over $40,000 for the NBCF since they started the archery tournamant in 2010. “Cost for the tournament are kept low due to our great parnters, with 100 percent of the profit donated to NBCF for early detection screenings and research to end this horrible disease.” stated Karen Butler.  Mike Arnold of McCarthy Printing, who donated the TRUGLO Targets stated, “We are honored to be part of such a wonderful event.”

Both the Firearms and the Archery tournaments have divisions for Men, Women, Young Adult (ages 15-17) and Youth (ages 12-14) and Cubs (12 and under). The “I Shoot For The Girls” Fireams Tournament may be shot with a pistol or rifle. The “I Shoot For the Girls” Archery Tournament may be shot with a compound, recurve or traditional bow. National winners for both tournaments will receive a prize pack from SLG2.

To host a tournament is simple! There is no upfront cost to Firearms Ranges with certified Range Safey Officers and Archery Ranges who donate free range time for the tournament. Clubs, Ranges and Leagues who host an “I Shoot For The Girls” Tournament will receive a certificate of appreciation and certificates of acheivement for their top 3 in each division, they may request targets and host an event with no upfront costs, which makes this a win-win! The cost to shoot is $20 per shooter, with all profit going to the NBCF. Specially designed targets will be mailed to the ranges upon receipt of their sign up sheet. Specific details and rules of the tournament are available upon request to iShootForTheGirls@shootlikeagirl.com.

Shoot Like AGirl (SLG², Inc) introduces women to shooting sports with the help of their valued corporate partners who share the mission to grow the number of women in shooting sports, by empowering them with confidence:  Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 3M Peltor, Hunter Safety System, Bear Archery, Beretta, BowTech, Cabela’s, Charter Arms, Colt, Danner, Easton/Beman, Federal Premium Ammunition, Game Plan Gear, GLOCK, Inc, Hogue, Hoyt, Leupold, Lumenok, Neet Archery Products, Mathews Inc, Mossy Oak, Nikon, Rock River Arms, Ruger, ScentBlocker, Smith and Wesson, S&S Outdoors, Taurus, ThermaCell, Trijicon, TRUGLO, PSE, Women’s Outdoor News, Upper Canyon Outfitters, and ASA!

Shoot With Us at the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show, Richmond, VA

Ladies, Shoot with Shoot Like A Girl in Birmingham, AL July 17-19, 2015

Ladies, come shoot with us at the 32nd annual World Deer Expo in Birmingham, AL July 17th-19th, 2015

Go to www.WorldDeerExpo.com for more details

2015 NRA Shoot Like a Girl Interview with Federal Premium

Shoot Like a Girl? Targeting Women at the NRA Convention | PJTV

Shoot Like a Girl interview with Karen at NRA Meetings, Nashville

Shoot Like A Girl at RMEF Hunter Christmas Expo & Ladies Auction

Shoot Like A Girl (SLGinc²) recently visited the Las Vegas Convention Center for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Hunter Christmas Expo, held Dec. 4 through 7. More than 28,000 people attended the inaugural event, presented by Cabela’s. SLG welcomed 222 ladies to its state-of-the-art, 52-foot trailer.

While in the trailer, women experienced the revolutionary introduction process to shooting, called Test Shots  and Test Flights,  as they shot pistols, rifles and compound bows in a safe, controlled environment in a short amount of time. The trailer features a military grade firearms simulation system and a live archery range, and is wheelchair accessible. If the women seemed excited at the

prospect of shooting under the guidance of qualified SLG² female instructors, they seemed almost more excited after their time in the trailer – as they look forward to continuing their quests to learn shooting skills.  

“RMEF is always a exciting environment to be involved in,” said Cristy Crawford, Shoot Like A Girl Chief Operations Officer. “We are grateful to be partnered with such a wonderful organization, filled with great people who are focused on conservation.”

SLG² also debuted a new firearms counter. The larger firearms counter gave attendees the opportunity to see and touch products and firearms from our corporate partners. This firearms counter features pistols and literature from Colt, Smith & Wesson, GLOCK, Charter Arms and 3m Peltor Hearing Protection.

In a partnership with Upper Canyon Outfitters of Montana, SLG² raised $7,750 for RMEF, by offering an elk/mule deer hunt at the RMEF Ladies Auction. The hunt placed

#8 in funds raised in overall hunts auctioned off at Elk Camp 2014.  This hunt is for women-only, for two on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest near Robb Creek, which also happens to be RMEF’s first conservation land acquisition. Meals and lodge accommodations will be provided by Upper Canyon Outfitters. The package also included a bow provided by SLG², a Savage .30-’06 rifle, one set of Próis Hunting Apparel’s pants and jacket, SLG² merchandise and two pairs of Danner High Ground boots.

About Shoot Like A Girl:

Shoot Like A Girl (SLG², Inc) is a company dedicated to growing the number of women in shooting sports by empowering them to participate with confidence.  With the help of our corporate sponsors, Shoot Like A Girl (SLG², Inc) thanks their valued corporate partners who share their mission to grow the number of women in shooting sports, by empowering them with confidence:  Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Hunter Safety System, Ammo2Go, Bear Archery, BowTech, Charter Arms, Colt, Crimson Trace, Danner, Federal Premium Ammunition, Game Plan Gear, GLOCK, Inc, Hogue, Hoyt, Hunt Force, Elite, Lethal, Lumenok, Neet Archery Products, Mammoth Coolers, Mathews Inc, Mossy Oak, 3M Peltor,Powder Hook, POV Action Cameras, ScentBlocker/Tree Spider, Smith and Wesson, Sonic Boom Targets, Stedi-Stock, Taurus, ThermaCell, Trijicon, Triple Crown Outdoors, Trophy Hunting Products, TRUGLO, PSE, Women’s Outdoor News and ASA we travel around the country to introduce new shooters to shooting sports!