LE ROY — Brenda Valentine has seen a rebirth when it comes to living off the land, particularly among women.
“There was a lull when people weren’t connected to the land,” Valentine said Saturday. “Today, I see a regeneration of interest. Women want to be more self-sufficient.”
Valentine spoke at the second annual Women in the Outdoors event sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation, where they partook in a variety of outdoor activities, from fly fishing to firearms training.
The event drew more than 50 from southeast Kansas and elsewhere in Missouri.
“People like growing their own gardens, hunting for their own meat,” said Valentine, a national spokeswoman for NWTF who has garnered the nickname “Queen of the Outdoors.”
Valentine noted a large number of attendees Saturday were single mothers. The seminars help make those women more confident in their abilities, she said.
“Once they come through here, they feel like they can do anything,” Valentine said. “Even if they decide they don’t want to be hunters, this is knowledge they can pass on to their children about how they can benefit by practicing conservation, living off the land.”
Valentine addressed the attendees before signing autographs and moseying about to the individual stations to offer encouragement or provide a helpful tip or two.
The event was hosted by Iolan Don Erbert on land he owns southeast of Le Roy and featured target ranges for archery, handguns and long rifles; a trapshooting range; a pond for fly fishing practice; and an extended nature walk.
Jerry Daniels of Humboldt Helicopters was on hand to offer short rides around the area.
Several attendees also completed a hunters education class before embarking on an evening dove hunt.
Camouflage not required: Women learn outdoor skills
