More and more women are learning about the benefits of outdoor recreation by enjoying hunting, fishing, backpacking, shooting sports, kayaking and other activities. The DNR's Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, also known as BOW, is a great way to learn the outdoor skills needed to enjoy these activities. Beginners are our specialty, but anyone can join.
A successful summer BOW workshop was held at the Ralph A. MacMullan Center on Higgins Lake this summer. The program hosted 52 participants led by 14 volunteer instructors and featured fly fishing, archery, survival skills, backpacking instruction and a variety of outdoor skill-building activities. The first-ever fall BOW weekend is being held in the Pigeon River Country State Forest this weekend. Classes include a grouse/woodcock hunt, fly fishing and elk viewing with a DNR biologist. We would like to thank our volunteer instructors for making these events possible.
Our winter workshop will be held Feb. 19-21, 2027, at Bay Cliff Health Camp near Marquette. Our summer workshop will be held June 11-13, 2027, at the RAM Center on Higgins Lake.
Beyond BOW workshops
There are several workshops with room to join this fall. Whether you are looking to learn to hunt deer or possibly improve your foraging skills, check out the opportunities below.
- Beyond BOW: Fabulous Fungi and Foraging, Sept. 23 at Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon - $30
- Beyond BOW: Archery Deer Hunt Workshop, Oct. 1-4 at Sharon Mills County Park in Manchester - $100
- Beyond BOW: Backpacking 101, Oct. 10 at Waterloo Recreation Area in Chelsea - $20
- Beyond BOW: Preparing for the Deer Hunt, Oct. 10 at the DNR Pocket Park in Escanaba - $30
- Beyond BOW: Fall Waterfowl Identification Workshop, Oct. 23 at Muskegon State Game Area - $30