Voices of Prois...Where Sisterhood Meets the Field: Ladies Leading the Upland Tradition

By:  Prois Staffer, Bonnie Wyatt

Pulling up, I was greeted by a sea of blaze orange and ponytails—probably not the typical scene at Prairie Grove Hunting Preserve outside of Brazil, Indiana. Twenty-seven women had gathered for the 13th annual Wabash Valley Quail Forever Ladies Hunt.

Event organizer Wendy Frevert explained, "We recognized that more women need a safe space to learn upland bird hunting and become more involved in conservation. Some years we've had small turnouts. Other years—like this one—we've had more interest than we expected."

Inside the clubhouse, a rustic space decorated with deer mounts, traps, and pelts, excitement filled the air. The smell of homemade chili and cornbread welcomed everyone in. Women who hadn't seen each other since last year reunited, while new friendships quickly formed over conversations about pheasant season, bird dogs, and hunting trips.

After a few quick photos, the women split into groups and headed out to the field. This year, all dog handlers were women. Mia Howell, a professional upland guide, brought along a brace of her Golden Retrievers.

"Upland hunting is special to me because it's so interactive," Howell said. "You're constantly moving, working with the dogs and people. It's a different pace—it keeps you on your toes."

The groups returned with smiles, full game bags, and stories to tell. It was a gorgeous day, and for many, it marked their first harvest.

Josie Pierce, who guided with her German Shorthair, Tillie, summed it up best: "Being able to come together as women and share stories—why we love hunting and what it means to us—just makes the day extra sweet."

The camaraderie was undeniable. As an avid upland hunter, I rarely have the opportunity to hunt with other women—let alone exclusively with women.

As Annie Oakley once said, "Any woman who does not thoroughly enjoy tramping across the country on a clear frosty morning with a good gun and a pair of dogs does not know how to enjoy life."

On this day, twenty-seven women proved they knew exactly how to enjoy life.

A special thank you to Prois for sponsoring this event.