Exclusive Interview with Hunter and Champion Archer Alli Armstrong
OutdoorHub Reporters 06.27.17
BA: Tell us a little bit about yourself, Alli.
AA: I live in southern Illinois near a small town called Elizabethtown. I’m 19 years old and am currently a college student. I will graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications in October. I started hunting with my dad (pic below) when I was 5 years old. Ever since then, I’ve been hooked. It has become my passion and my career path. Along with hunting, I also shoot for Southeastern Illinois College’s archery team.
BA: Awesome, Alli! I love meeting people my age who enjoy the outdoors and do something about it. What got you involved with the outdoor industry?
AA: My dad has hunted all his life. He has been kind enough to share his knowledge and passion with me from the time I was very young. I’ve always enjoyed going with him. I started by hunting small game such as squirrels. That’s me and my sister in the pic below. When I was 6, I shot my first deer and turkey. My dad has always filmed our family’s hunts.
Ever since I was little, I knew that hunting was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I wanted to share my experiences with others in hopes of encouraging them to try what I loved so much. We eventually turned my sister’s, mom’s, dad’s and my hunting adventures into a DVD. We sold them locally and found that people enjoyed them. I also found that it was inspiring others to get outdoors and try hunting. I thrived off this and wanted to continue being involved in a movement to get other kids and women to become hunters.
Soon after this, my family and I met Brenda Potts. At the time, Brenda was working on a project called Kids Gone Hunting. This was a DVD project consisting of kids hunting that was given out to other kids at various events. I helped to co-host the DVD and everything has really grown since then.
After that, I’ve been featured on Cabela’s Memories in the Field, SHE’s Beyond the Lodge, Campbell’s Outdoor Challenge, and three seasons of Legacy Trails. I’ve written many articles for outdoor magazines and blogs. I even started a jewelry line with outdoor-themed pieces. Brenda and I wrote a book called Hunting Dream Jobs. My family and I also have a show of our own called “Grace, Camo and Lace.”
BA: You mentioned that you have co-authored a book about the outdoors. What is the overview of your book, and where can people learn more about it?
AA: For the Hunting Dream Jobs book project, I interviewed nearly 100 key people in the hunting industry either over the phone or in person. This was a structured interview where I asked them all the same 12 questions. These questions pertained to how they got started and what advice they have for others breaking into the industry. After that, I transcribed the interview and then Brenda put it into book format. People can learn more about the book on my website AlliArmstrong.com. The book is available on Amazon.
BA: Tell us about some of the archery awards you have received.
AA: For archery,
- 2015 USCA South Regional Women’s Bowhunter Champion
- 2015 USCA Women’s Bowhunter National Champion
- 2015 National All American and Academic All American Title
- 2016 USIAC North Regional Women’s Bowhunter Champion
- 2016 USCA Women’s Team Bowhunter National Champion
- Silver individually at the 2016 USCA Women’s Bowhunter National Championship
- Bronze in the 2016 USCA National Championship mixed team shoot
- 2016 National All American and Academic All American Title
For hunting,
- Recently awarded 2017 Safari Club International Young Female Hunter of the Year.
- Recently awarded 2017 Boone and Crockett Club Exceptional Achievement Award
- Currently, I am a semi-finalist in the 2018 Extreme Huntress Competition.
BA: Wow! What is the No. 1 tip you would give teens who are trying to get involved with the outdoor industry?
AA: I would advise them to find a mentor in the industry and then learn as much as they possibly can from them. Also, in the outdoor industry and with anything in life, avoid taking shortcuts. Apply hard work to every task and the rewards will follow. Never give up on what you want!
BA: Thanks, Alli, for taking the time to talk with me and share your passion.
AA: Thank you so much, Blake. It has been a pleasure speaking with you!
Author’s note: Check out the video below to learn more about Alli Armstrong and her love of hunting and conservation.
