Home > Becoming an Outdoor Woman

2008 Courses

Becoming an Outdoor Woman (BOW) in NZ is an enjoyable, non-competitive introduction to the skills of clay target shooting and trout fly-fishing. Modelled on a very successful programme in Wisconsin (USA) where the programme began in 1991, there are now 20,000 plus women doing a BOW course, which range from range from hunting to kayaking and bush survival skills, each year throughout the 33 US states.

The BOW course works on the basic principle that women really enjoy learning new outdoor skills collaboratively with each other, and will learn much faster and find it a lot more fun to learn in this situation.

The Fish & Game NZ run BOW courses teach the basic skills of clay target shooting (as preparation for game bird hunting), an introduction to trout fly-fishing (including fly-tying and how to prepare and cook trout); and includes a field trip to waterfowl habitat in a nearby wetland.

The course is limited to 30 participants, and runs for a weekend, with clay target shooting and the field trip on a Saturday, followed by trout fly-fishing on the Sunday, including a midday break for a trout and game cooking demonstration.

The course fee covers all its costs, excluding transport and accommodation.

Many women have partners, relatives or friends who fish and hunt, usually male, but have never had the opportunity to try these sports in a non-competitive situation aimed at new comers. This is quite an intense course, but we always make sure it’s fun and relaxing as well.

Overall a BOW course is a great opportunity to try a new sport and meet other women with the same sense of adventure. Many of the women who do the course find this is one of its best aspects, as they often say: “We’re so busy running between our jobs, friends and family, that it’s fantastic to do something just for us.”

The BOW ( NZ) programme is sponsored by Rongopai Wines in Te Kauwhata, Waikato.

BOW Events and Weekend Programme

Past BOW courses