By Bethany Erb

What is it that hooks us? When was your defining moment that you realized you loved to hunt and it was a part of you? 

For many people it’s the early childhood experiences with a parent, cousin or grandpa. But what about the person that doesn’t start early? How do they begin? Many people don’t have the opportunity early in life because of certain factors such as not living in a rural area, lack of mentors etc. I wasn’t an early bloomer; I grew up around hunting, but preferred horses. I found hunting intimidating and for men…that was until my college roommate Amanda said let’s go hog hunting (northern CA). So we went and I was hooked!

Grace and her Marshmallow gun

I’m glad I started when I did, but wish I had gotten into the field a little sooner...

We hope you’re having a great Thanksgiving and gearing up for a full meal with your family today (anyone trying the Roasted Pheasant recipe from yesterday?). 

We have so much to be thankful for this year! It hasn’t even been a full year since we started Camo Is the New Black and we’ve had more than 15,000 website views. We’ve been able to share so many inspiring stories about sportswomen and we are thrilled that there’s been so much interest in reading and sharing them.

Last week, we put up a petition to unite hunters and show support for Eva Shockey – we are overwhelmed by your response! There are almost 200 signatures and you didn’t stop there – CITNB’s Facebook page saw big jumps and we’re almost at 1,000 fans.

So basically, you guys are the best...

We were looking for turkey alternatives for this Thanksgiving and found this Roasted Pheasant recipe on Epicurious. Do any of you cook game for your Thanksgiving dinner? Share in the comments if you do!

The temperature outside was eleven above. The wind chill was eleven below. To a seven year-old, it was perfect. Snow scuttled across the highway in streams and waves. The small boy in the backseat peered eagerly through binoculars for the better part of the drive.

I put the truck in 4-wheel drive as I turned off the road. Snow-covered tracks lead up to the first draw, where we’d begin. After donning coat, gaiter, hat, snow pants, and gloves, the small boy jumped out of the truck and raced to the back for his bb gun. I put the eager boy in charge of the backpack filled with essentials, prepped my rifle, and we started across the field.

The draw was steep. Arched tufts of grass bore the weight of the snow, rebounding from our steps as we made our way down...

We’re  over 100 signatures on the petition to support Eva Shockey and hunters across the country and we’re excited about it!  Eva has taken notice by retweeting and we are pleased to have the support of Prois Hunting & Field Apparel for Women  and Huntress View! 

Thank you to everyone who has already signed on and if you haven’t it’s not too late!!  Please help us keep up the momentum and share the petition with family and friends – happy Friday sportsmen and women!! Here’s the petition language:

“On behalf of sportsmen and women from across the United States, thank you Eva Shockey for continuing to educate the public about what it means to be a hunter. Like you, we are conservationists who enjoy getting outside and harvesting our own dinner...