More Local Women Hitting Woods In Search Of Deer

While there are fewer hunters nationwide, one group of hunters is growing: women. According to the latest U.S Fish and Wildlife Service research, 336,000 women and girls now hunt and that’s a 58 percent increase.

For the Stewart family of West Newton, hunting is a family activity, one the women of the family enjoy just as much as the men.

“I started hunting when I was about 12 years old. My dad would take me out in the woods. At the time, my mom actually hunted, too,” said Cathy Stewart.

Brianne Stewart, 12, shot her first deer this year.

Stewart said, “When I was little, I wanted to be just like my parents. So, I asked my dad one day if I could hunt like him. “

Stewart’s mother, Cathy said, “It's really exciting. It brings a lot of energy into your system when you get out there. And when you get the deer, it's great. She's grown up with it ever since she was old enough to help us with butchering, since she was old enough to flip the switch on the grinder. I think the most important thing is, unlike a lot of kids that might play video games and shoot people all day on video games, she actually realizes what a bullet will do to a living being.”

Brianne and her mom are still outnumbered by men. But this mother-daughter duo isn't afraid to get their hands dirty and if pushed, they push back.

Stewart said, “If they give me any hard time, just give it back to them.”

Previous Stories: November 26, 2007: Hunters Take Aim; Rifle Deer Season Begins November 21, 2007: Bagging The Big One: 5 Spots Local Hunters May Get Lucky November 14, 2007: Deer-Related Accident Season Hits Peak