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!
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!
Signature events
Niobrara Kayaking & Camping Trip
Aug. 9, 10 & 11 at Smith Falls State Park
Take your kayaking experience to the next level! Spend the weekend kayaking the Niobrara River, primitive tent camping near Nebraska’s highest waterfall, exploring the landscape, hiking trails, preparing campfire meals, learning survival skills, and more. Registration closes June 10, 2024.
October 4-6, 2024 at Fort Robinson State Park
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 in a supportive environment conducive to learning, making friends and having fun! Participants complete four sessions of their choosing; session workshop topics include hunting, shooting, fishing, ecological education and more.
Registration
Registration will open at 10 a.m. on April 1, 2024 for first time participants, and any repeat participants who bring a new participants. The repeat participant must register on the same day as their invited new participant, and list each other as roommates. The registration date for repeat attendees without a first time participant guest will open in May 23, 2024. Registration is taken on a first-come, first served basis; however, there is no guarantee seats will be available in May. Please note that registration is opening later this year as we work to update and improve the registration system. Sign up for our newsletter to be notified about BOW registration dates.
Scholarship
Limited funds are available for partial scholarship(s) valued at $125 for BOW Weekend. Scholarships will be given preference to first time participants and Nebraska residents. Applicants are graded on financial need and desired outcome by attending the weekend event. These are partial scholarships only; the remainder of the registration fee and additional Thursday night lodging (optional) is the responsibility of the participant.
Ladies Learn to Pheasant Hunt
Oct. 19-20 at Cub Creek Hunting CSA
Join Becoming and Outdoors Woman and Pheasants Forever on a fun weekend learning how to pheasant hunt! The hunt will take place near Beatrice, Nebraska on October 19-20, 2024. The weekend will include shotgun basics at the Beatrice Gun Club, wild game focused meals at the Rice Lodge in Odell and a mentored pheasant hunt at Cub Creek CSA.
Application closes August 20, 2024 and selected individuals will be notified by September 1, 2024. Selected participants will be responsible to pay for the $125 fee and permits by September 15, 2024.
Contact
If you have questions about BOW events or to request an accommodation, please contact Julia Plugge at julia.plugge@nebraska.gov 402-471-6009.
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 Outdoorswoman (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
Workshops
Beyond BOW workshops provide the next step on the path in becoming confident and independent outdoors. Beyond BOW offers single-topic programs teaching advanced outdoor skills. Workshops may take place in half day, occur over a weekend, or take place over several evenings.
Women’s-only hunter education courses
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.
Newsletter
Sign up for our monthly BOW Newsletter to learn about upcoming events, resources, highlights, opportunities to get involved and more!
