Women’s Outdoor News

Women’s Outdoor News Women’s Outdoor News is a digital publication focused on hunting, fishing, shooting sports, conservation, and outdoor recreation from the perspective of women participants. Founded in 2009, it emphasizes storytelling, practical guidance, and advocacy while covering events, legislation, and cultural developments within the shooting and angling communities. The outlet connects readers with topics ranging from big game hunting and fly fishing to competitive shooting and conservation policy.

History

The publication was launched in 2009 by Becky Humphries in West Virginia, emerging amid growing participation by women in hunting and angling and alongside organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Trout Unlimited. Early coverage tracked shifts following legislative and policy developments like the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the Pittman–Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, and state wildlife agency management plans in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Colorado. The outlet paralleled trends charted by groups such as the National Rifle Association, Women’s Outdoor News covered collaborations with nonprofits including Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Sigma Beta Conservation, and the Ruffed Grouse Society. Key milestones included expanded digital features, partnerships with trade shows like the Great American Outdoor Show and the Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show, and coverage of high-profile events involving figures such as JoAnn Bies, Kris Keough, and Katie Pavlich. Over time the site chronicled fieldwork and advocacy intersecting with conservation programs by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and state fish and wildlife agencies.

Coverage and Content

The editorial mix includes news reporting, how-to guides, gear reviews, profiles, and opinion pieces. Topics range from elk hunting in the Rocky Mountains and deer seasons in the Midwest to trout fishing on the Madison River, waterfowl hunting on the Mississippi Flyway, and saltwater pursuits in the Gulf of Mexico. Feature packages have explored women’s participation in competitions such as the National Sporting Clays Association events, the NRA Women’s Leadership Forum, and the Scholastic Clay Target Program. Equipment reviews compare rifles from manufacturers like Remington, Ruger, Savage Arms, and Weatherby, as well as optics from Vortex Optics and Leupold; angling gear reviews include fly rods by Orvis and Sage and reels by Shimano and Daiwa. Conservation reporting has intersected with initiatives from Ducks Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, and Defenders of Wildlife, while policy analysis has examined state hunting license trends, federal appropriations affecting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and international agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Multimedia content includes photo essays from locations such as Yellowstone National Park, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and the Adirondack Park, along with video tutorials filmed at ranges operated by organizations like the Civilian Marksmanship Program and public lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management.

Audience and Impact

The readership comprises women hunters, anglers, shooters, outfitters, conservationists, and allied family members across the United States and Canada, with engagement from readers in regions including the Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Great Plains, and Appalachian Mountains. The publication has influenced participation trends documented by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation and has informed outreach used by state agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Its coverage has amplified voices within networks like the Women Outdoor News community, Women’s Hunting and Outfitters associations, and collegiate groups connected to the Collegiate Bass Fishing Series. Outreach initiatives and partnerships with events such as the Outdoor Retailer show and local mentoring programs have supported recruitment efforts aligned with programs run by the Boy Scouts of America (Venturing) and Girl Scouts of the USA.

Contributors and Key Personnel

Contributors include journalists, field reporters, photographers, and subject-matter experts. Regular writers and photographers have backgrounds in wildlife biology, outdoor education, and competitive shooting; notable contributors and columnists have included freelance authors who also publish with Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life Network affiliates. Editorial leadership has worked with freelance editors experienced in magazine production and digital content strategy, collaborating with conservation scientists from universities like Colorado State University and the University of Montana on technical pieces. The site has featured guest posts by figures such as Katee Fitzgerald, Laurie MacClellan, and female hunters and guides operating outfitters in Montana, Alaska, and British Columbia. Partnerships with industry professionals, including gunsmiths, veteran outfitters, and certified fishing guides, have helped produce gear tests and instructional content.

Awards and Recognition

The publication and its contributors have received recognition from trade organizations and nonprofit groups in the outdoor industry. Individual reporters and photographers have been honored in contests run by the Outdoor Writers Association of America and the International Federation of Journalists’ regional competitions. Coverage has been cited by national forums addressing women’s participation in shooting sports and angling and has been acknowledged by conservation organizations including Ducks Unlimited and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for promoting habitat conservation and hunter recruitment. Editorial series focused on safety, mentorship, and access have been highlighted at conferences such as the Boone and Crockett Club gatherings and state wildlife federation meetings.

Category:Outdoor recreation publications Category:Women in hunting and fishing Category:Digital magazines published in the United States