Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
BOW offers interactive workshops for adult women with an interest in learning outdoor skills.
About BOW
The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, or BOW, empowers women with the knowledge of outdoor skills. Outdoor experts and instructors teach women a variety of workshops and interactive courses related to hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, kayaking, archery, target shooting, plant and wildlife identification, nature photography, outdoor cooking and more!
Beyond BOW
The Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, a continuation of BOW, provides more advanced training, workshops, and events that allow women to build confidence and expertise in a range of outdoor skills.
Events
Our outdoor educators host a wide variety of BOW events throughout the year, including cornerstone events like BOW weekend, along with archery and shooting classes, hunting workshops, kayaking trips and more!
October 2-4, 2026 at Fort Robinson
Registration for the 2026 BOW Weekend is now full!
BOW Weekend Workshop is our cornerstone event. Held annually on the first weekend in October, this three-day workshop includes sessions taught by expert instructors. Participants can choose from four sessions, including hunting, shooting, fishing, nature photography, ecological/wildlife education and more.
Golden Hour Dove Hunt
Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, 5-8 p.m. CT
The Ladies Hunting Cohort is going on a field trip to a Wildlife Management Area (location TBD), just north of Lincoln, to try our hand at dove hunting!
Event completed. See you next year!
Learn to Pheasant Hunt
Oct. 17 & 18, 2026, Beatrice, NE
Join Becoming an Outdoors Woman and Pheasants Forever on a fun weekend learning how to pheasant hunt! The weekend will include shotgun basics at the Beatrice Gun Club, safety while hunting and handling a firearm, shotgun selection, upland bird cleaning, meals prepared with game meat and a mentored pheasant hunt at Cub Creek Hunting Club.
Learn to Deer Hunt
November 14-17, 2026, McGinley Ranch
Learn the basics of deer hunting in Nebraska. This adult hunter program will allow participants to join a Nebraska deer hunt for that starts the opening day of the November firearm deer season and is focused on helping participants further their deer hunting journey.
Goose Camp
Jan. 24-26, 2027, Clear Creek WMA
Learn the basics of goose hunting in Nebraska. This new hunter program for adults will allow participants to join a western Nebraska goose hunt for the weekend and see how to recreate the experience on their own.
Spring Turkey Hunt
Spring Turkey Firearm Season (TBD), northern & southern Nebraska
Experience the thrill of turkey hunting from sunrise to sunset! Practice shotgun shooting and patterning, learn calling, decoy and blind setup, and even harvest your own wild turkey, all while camping in canvas tents and cooking over crackling campfires and Dutch ovens.
Application opens March, 2027
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers women’s only hunter education courses, designed give women the chance to learn the basics of hunter safety and gain firsthand firearm and archery experience in a fun, safe environment. All courses will be led by women who are experienced hunters and certified volunteer hunter education instructors.
Support wildfire recovery at Fort Robinson
In the summer of 2026, a wildfire burned thousands of acres in and around Fort Robinson State Park, leaving lasting impacts on the landscape and park facilities. You can help support wildfire recovery efforts by purchasing apparel in the link below. Proceeds will go toward the replacement of fencing and other needs to help restore this treasured place. We are grateful for your support!
Women kayak near cliffs at Lewis and Clark SRA during the Beyond BOW kayaking trip on the Missouri River. Julie Geiser, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) pheasant hunt at Clear Creek Hunting Lodge in Bartlett. Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Participants and instructors pose for a group photo during the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop at Ponca State Park. Eric Fowler, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Hunters in a blind during a Beyond Becoming and Outdoors-Woman goose hunt. Julie Geiser, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Ladies Hunting Cohort
The Nebraska Ladies Hunting Cohort is for those who find value in sharing hunting experiences with other women, fostering a supportive environment to learn and discuss hunting strategies. Cohort participants benefit from insights and guidance lead by experienced facilitators and guest speakers. Free monthly “huddles” meet on the first Tuesday of each month at the Turpin Outdoor Education Center. Reach out to learn more.
Newsletter
Sign up for our monthly BOW Newsletter to learn about upcoming events, resources, highlights, opportunities to get involved and more!
Contact
If you have questions or requests regarding BOW programs or events, please contact Julia Plugge.
