Bird Down in South Texas
Becky Lou Lacock 04.27.11
For just my 3rd Turkey hunt, I was thrilled to be on assignment for Game & Fish Magazine, along with several outdoor enthusiasts from across the nation. This was a carefully chosen group of women brought together for the creation of an episode for “Benelli on Assignment”, now featured on Outdoor Channel Network. Working with Joe Coogan, of Benelli/Host of BOA and Cristie Gates of Benelli was to be one of the most rewarding experiences of each the women, and a successful one for most! Milton Greeson, providing our location on his private historical Sarco Creek Ranch, Goliad, Texas, with First Class accommodations, we felt like royalty… until we dressed and packed up for hunting! With this hunt being a television production, it proved to be even more exciting and intense with the challenge of several people in the woods tip toeing around, with cameras, tripods, guns and gear
I was extremely curious about how we would call those wild turkey within range! I was amazed that with the right camouflage, carefully chosen spots among the brush, and expert calling, the turkeys would fall for it Hook, Line, and Decoy! I was very fortunate, as this scenario bagged the largest bird of my Turkey hunting career! I used a Stoeger M-3500 12 gauge, Burris FastFire scope, loaded with Federal 3″ Heavyweight #7, and at 26 yards the turkey fell over backwards, and hardly flopped! I have to admit I was a little skeptical of the new gun, but after patterning the first day, I was completely comfortable, and it is truly a smooth shot.
Just in the last 5 years, the outdoor industry has made great strides in welcoming women into the wild, and I am so fortunate to be given opportunities to promote that agenda, and treat it as my own! This particular group of women included a wide variety, from the editor of a national magazine, a competition shooter, to homemaker and mother of 4, (which could be considered the most challenging!) The mixture created an atmosphere of extreme excitement, like little girls at camp! Each of us had our own story, as to how, when, and why we were taking it outdoors, and bursting at the seams to share the stories with everyone, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning, only to rise to the occasion later that same morning to tromp in the woods. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Benelli USA, along with Stoeger, Federal Premium Ammunition, Hunter’s Specialties, Burris Optics, SHE Safari and other sponsors that contributed to this hunt, and who are all part of the industry that have begun to recognize, encourage, and support women in the Outdoors.
This experience, once again proves that the hunting trips are often times remembered not for the time in the field, or the harvest, but for the new friends and special memories made back at camp. I am confident that this episode of Benelli on Assignment will prove to be an exciting portrayal of hunting, with lots of helpful tips for women already out in the field, and encourage other women who are curious.
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!
