EDGEFIELD, S.C. — The Walking Purchase and Jerry Zimmerman Memorial NWTF chapters teamed up to host their 17th annual collaborative WITO event, the first one they’ve hosted since the pandemic. This year, 87 women attended and experienced the life-changing power of the outdoors.
“We had a mixture of new and past members attend this year,” said Katrina Skrapits, event coordinator. “Past participants that attended were grateful and excited that we brought back this event, and new ones want us to plan another event next year. The event was hosted at the Ontelaunee Rod and Gun club in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, and their members were very supportive in helping to plan the event, which was a blessing.”
The event was supported by local businesses, clubs and organizations that provided donations, helped with fixing equipment or taught courses showcasing their passion for the outdoors. Local wildlife agencies and organizations — like the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Trout Unlimited, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs and local gun clubs — also supported the WITO event and helped teach classes.
Shooting courses offered at the event included rifle, handgun, muzzleloader, crossbow and archery shooting. But the fun did not stop at the shooting range. The event also included kayaking, fly fishing, trapping, turkey hunting seminars, bee keeping and soap making.
With such a wide range of events to choose from, several participants were able to try a new skill for the first time. The community of attendees at the event built a safe and encouraging space that inspired everyone to push their comfort levels.
“This event brings out the excitement and confidence needed for all the participants to share their experience and pass it along to family and friends,” Skrapits said. “There were quite a few mothers and daughters together and friends who met up to share the day together. Being outside with friends and meeting new people who have the same passion as you builds a stronger bond between us and nature. It poured for 10 or 15 minutes, but no one blinked an eye. As always, the sun came out afterwards.”
The NWTF WITO program was created to cater to the growing number of women interested in the outdoor lifestyle. In the past decade, the number of women owning firearms and participating in target shooting and hunting has risen significantly. Women now comprise over a quarter of all anglers and represent the fastest-growing segment within the hunting and shooting communities. The WITO program is an effective program to retain lifelong hunters by engaging and educating women about the great outdoors.
“I am blessed to work with such passionate volunteers that understand the NWTF mission and have the drive and fortitude to move it forward,” said Scott Wojton, NWTF regional director. “We all understand the importance of introducing folks to our outdoor lifestyle, and this event is a great opportunity to do that. There are countless examples of our past participants that had no previous experience in the outdoors that now hold a hunting license and participate in hunting annually. It is truly an example of a nation united by the life changing powers of the outdoors!”
Find an NWTF WITO event near you.
About the National Wild Turkey Federation
Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.
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