Girls and Guns, the Perfect Combination – “National Take Your Daughter to the Range” Day
Becky Lou Lacock 03.01.12
NRA Instructor, Lynne Finch has taken on the challenge of organizing an event that has spread across the nation like a Wildfire Fueled with Gun Powder! Inspired by the writings of competition shooter Julie Golob, in Golob’s book “SHOOT”, Lynne was moved by Golob’s fond memories of shooting with her dad as a youth. Lynne is author of blog “Female and Armed” and has teamed with Evan Carson, her firearms instructor and close friend, to file for Non-Profit status, organize and promote this event. Both she and Evan have been overwhelmed at the positive response and support received only a few weeks after the idea popped into her head!
Although the event specifies daughters in the title, it will be focused on bringing those girls out to the range, bringing awareness to many people that girls may want to shoot too! Statement from official website: “Learning to shoot gives young women confidence, helps to build self-esteem, and introduces them to a sport they can participate in their whole lives.”
This event will place emphasis on firearm safety and education, as well as family participation in what many experience as an exciting and fun sport.
Lynne says “So if you live near a range, spread the word about National Take Your Daughters To The Range Day, or better yet, volunteer to help them host an event. Promotional materials should be available online soon at little to no charge – and if you don’t have a daughter, adopt one for the day! It could make a huge difference in her life.”
Check their website here NTYDTTRD for updates and information on ranges across the nation, or contact Lynne to possibly assist with a shoot near you. Sponsorship opportunities are available,at many different levels, needed and well deserved, you can request information via contact link on the official website above.
I am very excited to be a small part of this huge event by helping to facilitate a shoot here in my immediate area, North Houston, TX. Mike Scambray, Range Master for “Gun Emporium” Conroe, TX has saved the date, JUNE 9th, 2012 and is presently working to make this a great day for Girls & Guns!
“I have grown since I started shooting,” she said. “I’m more confident, it helped my sense of self-esteem to learn a new sport, and I know I can defend myself. More than that…it is fun! More women are coming to shooting, [so] wouldn’t it be wonderful to encourage parents to teach their daughters to shoot? A family bonding experience, a great experience for young girls, maybe even introduce someone who is new to the sport to something they can enjoy the rest of their lives.” —Lynne Finch
Born and raised in Louisiana, my Outdoor adventures began just a short time ago, with a weekend workshop, B.O.W. 'Becoming an Outdoors Woman' in the Spring of 2000. A nationwide program , in Louisiana it is facilitated by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Educational Dept. I was feeling a little adventurous, and chose “Intro to Shotgun” as one of my 4 workshops for the weekend. I had never had the opportunity to shoot guns, and decided that this would be the perfect place to give it a shot! This course required a detailed Firearm Safety course held in a classroom the day before various guns handy for some “hands on” instruction. I was very anxious the day of shooting, but as it unfolded, with patient expert instructors by my side, (helping to muffle the voices inside of me shouting NO! NO! NO! You're a Girl! Its gonna hurt!) I hit the second clay target, thus began my passion for Shooting! I absolutely LOVED it!! I have always loved to fish, sharing many hours with the only outdoor influence in my life growing up, my mother Tommie Lou. She and I spent many hours in the Freshwater Marshes of SW Louisiana, searching for that elusive HOG (Large Mouth Bass) but also pulling in huge Redfish, Speckled trout & Flounder in and around the salt water lake "Big Lake". I always joke that we had to use our running lights to get out to the fishing spots, and we had to also needed them to come in, as we would spend all of the precious daylight fishing hard…. the days were always too short. That was the limit to any outdoor activity for me, but shortly after my "Shooting Incident" I met my husband Lou, and was introduced into hunting, starting with a west Texas whitetail hunt, at which point my life took a drastic turn from inside to "EXTREME OUTSIDE"!! Without a doubt, I am all girl, I don't like bugs, critters, or Snakes, but because of my willingness to Take a Chance, I have learned that a little DIRT..or even or a TICK will not keep me from this new adventure!
With the first hunt of my life being shortly after the workshop, I understand first hand the skepticism that some women have to step outdoors, and I believe that most women just need to be aware of the resources readily available to them, along with a little pinch of encouragement. I have been fortunate to have both, for without it I would not be doing what I am today.
With great encouragement from Greg Martin of RealHuntersJournal, an online resource for outdoor information, I began writing, and going to the industry shows such as Shot Show, ATA, NWTF, and others to review the latest and greatest products in the industry. I met several wonderful people, and began to realize that the people behind the products, TV shows, and outfitters were just down home people, real people just like me! I think of it as a large family, and like most, they may not always agree on every method, design, or camo pattern, but all share a common dream, and ultimately work together to make that dream a reality for the rest of us. I have been blessed with a lot of energy and enthusiasm that just seems to spill out onto everyone around me, I love people and Lord only knows how I like to talk, and over the past few years I have been encouraged to take more of an active part to promote women in the outdoors. I was invited on several exciting hunts to experience many new adventures, and share them. With a style all my own, I have really enjoyed writing. Loaded with lots of adventures and information to share, I started my own website in 2009, www.BeckyLouOutdoors.com. The following year I was asked to participate in a Reality Television series with 5 other women, consisting of 11 episodes. Somehow with my determination, some skill, and a lot of luck, I won the first season competition!! The show was a success, and continues on each year for a new season with 6 new contestants and many new challenges. . In 2010 I was honored to be named Pro Staff for Commando Call Products. I do a lot of freelance writing for many websites and most recently InterMedia Outdoors with an article in print for Dec/Jan 2011/2012 nationwide Game & Fish and also Sportsman. I have a trademark phrase, “Camo can be Classy”TM for women like me that are 110% all girl, but can enjoy the outdoors to whatever level we desire! I have grown to believe that if you Love Life it will Love you back! I hope to provide some information, encouragement and inspiration for women to get out in the Great Outdoors. It has made such a difference in my life, and I truly believe that I am Happier and Healthier because of it! Shooting may not be for everyone, but it is definitely worth a SHOT!
