Women in the (Traditionally) Male Dominated Outdoors

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION • FALL 2024

WOMEN IN THE (TRADITIONALLY) MALE-DOMINATED OUTDOORS
BY HEIDI LYN RAO

I have spent my entire adult life in what has traditionally been a male-dominated world as it relates to firearms. With degrees in Wildlife Management and Forestry, I graduated college and went straight into the shooting and hunting world in the late 1990s. I began working for Texas Parks and Wildlife as the Assistant Hunter Education Coordinator and the statewide Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Coordinator, and I still hold these positions today. I am also an NRA Training Counselor, certifying instructors in the various NRA Firearms Disciplines. My (retired Texas Game Warden) husband and I have raised our four boys to respect and enjoy firearms and shooting sports. I am passionate about firearm safety and introducing and training others to develop this interest.

Often, people ask me questions about being (sometimes the only) female in male-dominated activities. I tell them most definitely – some areas can be challenging. I refer to these as “challenges” and not barriers, even though the word “barrier” is a term overused quite a bit. Our current social norm is to create victims, which is what the word barrier does. A barrier is something that is put up to block or keep something out. I do not consider myself a victim facing barriers but rather a participant who has experienced some challenges along the way. Learning to recognize and meet a challenge head-on will help you succeed in any endeavor.

Sometimes, I meet challenges as a firearms instructor. Being a female firearms instructor in a traditionally male-dominated arena regarding firearms training has been a pleasant experience. Fortunately, the vast
majority of men who are looking for firearms training and have contacted me have been respectful and talked to me as an “NRA Firearms Instructor” and not as a “Female NRA Firearms Instructor.” After all, if the student cannot get over the fact that their instructor is a female, they will probably not be a very good student. It would be easy to dismiss this attitude and say that it is ‘their’ problem, but I actually take this opportunity as a challenge. If I am a good instructor, I should be able to teach them something to gain their confidence. Once I gain their confidence, they can be taught.

Many times, when I have an NRA Firearms Training Course scheduled and am receiving calls about it, students, after learning that I am female, will tell me all about their shooting experience, list their credentials, and then offer to help me in the class. My response to their offer ensures that I maintain a good atmosphere for learning. Instead of “putting them in their place” or refusing their offer, I thank them and tell the student that I welcome their experience in the classroom. When the class starts, and I demonstrate my knowledge of the topic, the student feels they are getting their money’s worth.

Yet, there are still those male students who still think they need to “help” me teach the class because I am female. As long as it is not disruptive to the class, I let him “help.” I handle this individual by giving him something to do. For example, if I have a training aid to pass around, I might have this student walk it around the classroom from table to table. If he starts to become a distraction to the other students’ learning environment, I might have to counsel him during a break, or thank him for his assistance, and ask the students to keep any comments relevant to the topic being discussed. I always offer the opportunity to ask off-topic questions when we finish a lesson or discuss during a break.

In the end, it does not matter if you are a male instructor or a female instructor. All that matters is whether you are a good instructor or a bad instructor. Being a female does not define me as an instructor. What defines me is if my student has absorbed all of the information presented and, in the end, winds up shooting much better on the range after the training than he or she did before attending class.

I also face challenges as an outdoor writer. I reach more people through my writings than through other activities in which I participate. I have written for several periodicals and posted articles on my website: https://northamericanoutdoors.org/. I have authored nine books and made many firearm safety videos for the state of Texas and the Texas Parks and Wildlife PBS television show. Because I reach so many people, it can be the most challenging for me. This seems to be where I am challenged the most by men who consider themselves “experts.”

Occasionally, I receive emails from one of these “experts” challenging a topic I have written about. I once received a lengthy email from an individual questioning me on how to handle loose components on a firearm by periodically checking and ensuring all screws are tight. He started by telling me he has been shooting his entire life and stated that I was unprofessional, arguing the point that I should have told my
readers to remove all screws and use Red Loctite on them before reinserting them since this was the strongest grade of threadlocking adhesive, and provides the highest level of resistance to vibration, shock, and torque. He then attached his “American Motorcyclist Association” credentials in his closing. Obviously, having nothing to do with giving him any credibility as a firearm “expert.” Please note: Do not ever use Red Loctite on your firearms!

When others challenge me, I have three options: I can ignore them, I can argue with them, or I can learn from them and become a better writer. I choose to learn from them. Sometimes, the problem comes from the way something is worded, and my reader reads it differently than I meant it. This teaches me
to be more concise with my words.

I approach writing as if I will be challenged with everything I write. As such, I do a lot of research and can back up everything I write or say with credible and cited documentation. Occasionally, an “expert” or even an editor has tactfully told me, in a roundabout way, to stay in my lane and leave certain topics to men. I had an individual write to me once and told me he was the “subject-matter expert” on a particular topic I wrote about, and everything I said was wrong. Interestingly, he refused to tell me specifically what was incorrect in my article; rather, he continued telling me I was wrong.

I enjoy being challenged for several reasons. First, it makes me a better writer. Second, I feel I am being taken seriously enough as a writer when I am challenged by a reader. I never take criticism personally. I also understand that male counterparts get challenged, too. I consider myself a writer, not a “female” writer, just as my male counterparts consider themselves writers.

There are also hunting challenges. Hunting, without a doubt, is a maledominated activity, although women are noticeably increasing their numbers. When I first entered this field, many of my male hunting counterparts often had the attitude that women do not know how to hunt. While there are many women who do not have as much experience as many men in the field, women tend to do their research. This
is what I did. I learned as much about hunting as I could from as many different people as I could
surround myself with.

I had a different approach to being constantly “told” how to hunt. Instead of pushing back and telling all the men who wanted to help me that I did not need their help, I welcomed it. There is always something to learn. I take all the advice I can get and then sort through the information, looking for anything new I
could use. My advice to anyone new to hunting, male or female, is to be a sponge and absorb all the information you can.

It is common for hunters to help each other with camp duties, tracking game, and field dressing. I always helped others with their chores, and the courtesy was always returned when they helped me with mine. I
never turned down help, and I never refused to offer my assistance to others. That said, the biggest challenge I have encountered while hunting is meeting others in the field or in camp and watching a male counterpart have the attitude of, “If she wants to hunt, then she can do it all by herself.” It is obvious that this individual would never accept a woman in their camp. When I experienced this, I immediately knew I would not be able to count on this particular individual for help if I needed help. If I were to find
myself in this situation, I would just have to put my mind to it and get whatever I was doing done.

As the years have ticked by, many of the challenges women once faced are starting to fade away. Opportunities are now available and abundant for women who wish to enter the outdoor world. The old excuses that I have heard from women in the past are no longer valid. Women are now accepted in
the hunting, fishing, and camping world.

It is true that traditionally, glancing around the campfire, more males than females were sharing each other’s company and love of the outdoors. Why? Typically, women were not given an opportunity to
learn outdoor skills as girls or young adults. A variety of challenges prevented women from participating in outdoor recreation, especially hunting. The expense and availability of properly fitted clothing was one
challenge. Manufacturers typically catered to their large market of male hunters, which forced ladies to search through their boyfriends’ or their husbands’ clothing only to come up with something that pinches in the chest, sags in the waist, and sleeves which covered their fingertips.

Equipment was another problem. There is an overwhelming variety of choices out there, and a male-dominated staff at a retail store can be intimidating if someone does not know what they are looking for. Finding a properly sized shotgun or rifle presents its own set of challenges, with long stocks and barrels not originally manufactured for a lady’s body frame in mind. The same goes for pistols and revolvers, where large-framed handguns were not made to fit into ladies’ hands.

Tradition was one of the biggest challenges. Tradition is how society expects you to act. When one steps outside of the traditional role, the social pressure is there to push you back in. Early childhood conditioning is a factor, too. Boys typically got the guns, and the girls got the dolls.

Some of these challenges are beyond our control, but others can be removed if we simply educate ourselves. Several of the challenges discussed relate to the lack of opportunities for women, and that is a
stumbling block that is rapidly breaking down in today’s culture.

Major outdoor retailers and the hunting industry are taking notice of the growing population of women who are engaging in more outdoor activities, including hunting. Fortunately, today, one can walk into any retailer and peruse the hunting department to find an entire section of clothing exclusively made for women. The shirts are better fitted (and the buttons are on the correct side!), pants are designed differently (and the zipper is on the correct side!), hiking boots, waders, and hip boots nowadays come in
ladies’ shoe sizes.

Firearms are even designed with a ladies’ body frame in mind. One can find shotguns and rifles with shorter stocks and barrel lengths. Most of these firearms can be purchased over the counter. If adjustments are to be made, there are plenty of gunsmith shops around, as well as gun fitters who are
more than happy to properly “fit” the gun to the shooter. Ammunition companies are even manufacturing pink shotgun shells for Breast Cancer Awareness!

Women who find the most comfortable clothing, jackets, belts, socks, and boots made just for them have a much more favorable outlook on their hunting experience and adventure. Their attitudes change, and they become much more positive about the sport, which they can now call their own. In turn, they have a positive influence on sales of hunting and fishing licenses and become more aware of their state’s natural resources and their state conservation agency. Women are now more likely to purchase park passes and explore more outdoor recreational opportunities. More ladies are invited to participate in these pursuits with their like-minded and newly empowered hunting buddies.

There are several local, regional, state, and national groups out there comprised of women whose purpose is to support and encourage other women into hunting and shooting sports. Most conservation “hook and bullet” organizations now have a group within dedicated exclusively for women members, such as the Gazelles with Houston Safari Club Foundation, NRA’s Women on Target, National Wild Turkey Federation’s Women in the Outdoors, and Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever’s Women on the Wing.

There are several ladies-only groups comprised of supportive and encouraging members who all have one thing in common: a love of the outdoors, shooting and hunting. A Girl and A Gun, Sisters on the Fly,
Texas Outdoors-Woman Network (TOWN), and DIVA-WOW (Women Outdoors Worldwide) to name a few.

Now, you can walk into any outdoor store and often find women who are now working behind the counter, available to assist new customers and ladies who may be overwhelmed by their choices when searching for equipment and gear. Most public and private gun ranges offer a “Ladies Day” or a discount if you are a female shooter. More and more “women’s programs” are being offered and are filling to capacity as soon as advertised.

Check out any social media outlet, and you will find groups established by women and for women to support and encourage other like-minded women in the sport or outdoor activity they all love. One of the best places to find some of these amazing stories and connect with others is NRAWomen.com: https://www.nrawomen.com/ There are NRA memberships exclusively for women, you can connect with other women through the NRA Women’s Network, you can find NRA Firearms classes, and Shooting clinics offered by NRA Women Instructors and Coaches, you can attend a Women’s Wilderness Escape, and empower yourself with the Refuse to Be a Victim training.

Houston Safari Club Foundation is answering this call with seminars, workshops, socials, and hunts geared for the lady members. These programs are designed to give women the knowledge, skills, and attitude
necessary to become independent participants in the outdoors. The goal of this new initiative is to give women the confidence to plan, organize, and participate in any outdoor activity, including hunting and
shooting sports.

Women hold the key to the future of outdoor activities for all of us. They are participating in the sport because they want to. They are more environmentally aware and educated about conservation issues and wildlife management. Most importantly, these ladies will introduce their children to these activities and ensure our future of hunting will continue for generations to come. When you recruit and empower the mom, she will involve the entire family!

When I am asked questions related to being a female in and around the shooting sports world, my answers have always been the same. It is awesome! I accept the fact that some will question me or my abilities. There is nothing wrong with that as long as they are respectful and, for the most part, everyone has been. I realize I may be challenged or questioned more than a male would be in my position. That only inspires me to work harder to “prove” myself.

Some people would then ask me why I should have to prove myself. My response to them is, “Respect that is earned is more valuable than respect that is given.” If someone gives you something, they can take it away. In other words, if someone gives you respect, they can take it away, but if you earn it, it is yours to keep!

Houston Safari Club Foundation is anorganization for everyone. Our goal is to constantly serve and strive to meet the needs of our members. Women have always been an important part of our organization. In reality, without them, we would not exist. To show our appreciation of the women in our club, we are looking at ways to increase the participation and involvement of our female members and bridge any gaps, concerns, and fears that may be holding our members back. We are more than just hunting. We
are a place where camaraderie, friendships, and the like-minded can interact and enjoy each other.

• •

Heidi Rao will have a column in our publication for our female members and from a lady’s perspective. Many of you have already met Heidi, and those who haven’t will soon get to know her. She is well qualified to write from a woman’s perspective and will also coordinate workshops, range days, and other activities, with a few socials built in. Many of these opportunities will be geared just for our female members to polish their skills and gain confidence while at the same time building new friendships with
other like-minded women. These things only make our club stronger and more welcoming to everyone.

Heidi looks forward to working with all of you and encourages you to share your thoughts and ideas. Heidi and her (retired Game Warden) husband, John, just celebrated their 25th anniversary. They raised four boys in the outdoors, teaching them from a very young age about hunting, fishing, camping, wildlife
management, firearm safety, and marksmanship. They each took their first deer at age

They have all earned their Eagle Scout rank through Boy Scouts. Now, Dominic is 22 and works for Laser Shot Shooting Simulations in Houston as the Hunting Manager; Matthew is 20 and a Junior at the University of Arkansas (Razorbacks) with a 4.0 and on his way to becoming a large animal vet; JohnJohn is18 and a Senior; and Luke is 15 and a Freshman this year, both playing football and attending Clear Lake High School. The family still hunts, traps, shoots, and camps every opportunity they have together.

During her 26+ year TPWD career, Rao developed many partnerships and organized many education and outreach events. Heidi started “Take Me Outdoors Houston” in 2009, celebrated on the 4th Saturday of each September in conjunction with National Hunting and Fishing Day. Rao hosts wildlife workshops ranging from alligators to big game. She promotes hunting and outdoor safety. She has been flown by helicopter to speak to oil and gas employees on platforms in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico. She
taught firearm safety to rodeo clowns during the Houston Rodeo and hosted Hunter Education classes at the Sam Houston (horse) Race Park. She conducts National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and Student Air Rifle (SAR) Instructor certification workshops and partners with many hunting, shooting, and conservation organizations throughout Texas and across the nation.

Heidi has coordinated 27 statewide Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshops across Texas, including the firstever VIRTUAL BOW (in the nation) in 2020. She has reached over 7,000 ladies who
have attended BOW and continue their outdoors skills, ultimately becoming hunters, anglers, and archers, primarily through mentored BOW hunts. To date, ten Texas Outdoor Women Network (TOWN) chapters have formed, taking the BOW program to the grassroots level in Texas.

Heidi is a Life member of the NRA and became an NRA Training Counselor (TC) in 2005, certified to train NRA instructors in Rifle, Shotgun, Muzzleloading, Pistol, Defensive Pistol, Personal Protection In and Out of the Home, and Range Safety Officer courses. She is a Level I Shotgun Coach. She was recently appointed as the “Region 7 TC Rep,” serving as one of the eight NRA Regional TC Representatives for the Education & Training Division and providing mentorship to other TCs and Instructors nationwide.

Heidi received the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) Professional of the Year Award as well as the IHEA’s Executive Director’s Award. She is in the Texas Hunter Education Hall of Fame and was recognized with the Terry Erwin Hunter Education LEGACY award. She received the Houston Safari Club Educator of the Year. She is also the recipient of two prestigious NRA awards:

• 2023 “NRA Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction” Award
• 2022 Golden Bullseye Award for NRA Women: “Woman of the Year” ★