Shirley Hawkins was married to an avid hunter. He built shooting houses and had ample hunting gear and rifles.
When her husband died in 2018, Hawkins did not wish her late husband’s work on the shooting houses to go to waste so she that November she went deer hunting for the first time.
She had never understood why hunters went out and would sit in the shooting house in the cold yet her she was choosing to do the same. Then she spotted a deer and loaded one bullet into the 270 rifle and took her shot and killed the deer on the spot. She was hooked. She understood now why hunters sat in the shooting house and awaited a chance to take the shot. She still only loads one bullet at a time and always makes sure she is on her target.
Her 2 boys told her it was beginner’s luck. Yet, she got the limit that year. She filled up her freezer and many others.
Hawkins has 12 acres of hunting property and has not missed a deer season since nor missed hitting her hunting target with most deer dropping on the first shot.
She usually hunts in the afternoon until dusk and gives most of the meat away from her kills.
She buys the corn and sets up her feeder and is always excitedly awaiting deer season.
“It has been a stress reliever and I look forward to it,” she said. “It gives me time to sit, reflect and pray.”
She also reminisces and thinks what her late husband would think of her hunting and hunting skills.
“It does give me something to look forward too during the winter months and I am thankful.” she said.
She is also thankful that many times her sons or someone have come out and helped her haul the deer in. “I have killed several nice bucks.”
“I used to think it was crazy, but if you are looking for a challenge, try hunting for yourself,” said Hawkins. “don’t be afraid to try something new.”
“I was going through mourning and hunting helped me get through it,” said Hawkins.
“Sometimes I just enjoy watching the deer.”
“If I can do this at 75 with taking it up at age 72 then other people can do it. It is remarkable and never thought I could do it, yet I can and am a very successful hunter.”
“It is my passion now.” Said Hawkins
Presently, women are the fastest-growing demographic in the hunting industry, with white-tailed deer being the most common type of game pursued by females.
In the past women have not been a major stakeholder or primary participant in the hunting industry. Deer hunting has been a male-dominated pastime, and women rarely made an appearance in the tree stand.
Female participation in deer hunting plays a pivotal role in funding that supports state wildlife agency conservation work. Without dollars from license purchases, hunting and archery equipment, and ammunition, wildlife work would not be obtainable. Funds from these purchases are also collected federally under the Pittman-Robertson Act, which distributes the funds back to state agencies for conservation work. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 2021 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, big game hunters spent nearly $XXX.X billion in 2021 on hunting- and trip-related expenditures.
But women involved in hunting and shooting sports is not a new trend. Annie Oakley, the sharpshooter, trapper and hunter from Ohio during the 19th century, and Paulina Brandreth, a sporting enthusiast and outdoor writer from the 19th century, are among the most favored female hunters who marked history.
It’s an instilled heritage, and where they find the purpose to sustain themselves for women like Shirley Hawkins.
