How often do you see an old photograph of hunters or fishermen that include
women engaging in the sport? I don't know if I've ever seen one. Such is not the
case today. More and more, we men are including the women of our lives in the
outdoor sports that we love. Wives, girlfriends and daughters are becoming more
involved than ever, and why not.

    Whether it is watching my five year old daughter, Tatum, shrill with excitement
from catching a fish or the thrill of watching Kelly take her first deer, hunting and
fishing has plenty to offer men and women. My mother loves to trout fish and my
step-mother regularly attends the Outdoor Women courses in her home state of
Arkansas, where, she has learned to back a trailer, bowhunt and how to field
dress a deer.

    Despite the beliefs of the critics of hunting and fishing, there is more to these
sports than catching and killing. The outdoors is full of beauty and wonderful
experiences. Why wouldn't I want to share and enjoy it with the women I love?
For me, it broadens the level of enjoyment for the whole outdoor experience.

    It is important to realize that not all women are interested or willing to go to the
field or water with us. That is ok, too. Sometimes they are willing to go do some
outdoor activities, but not others. For instance, Kelly will go striper fishing and
trout fishing with me, but doesn't care a bit about going bass fishing. She prefers
dove hunting to duck hunting, because its usually not cold when we go dove
hunting. She loves to sit in the deer stand with me and watch deer, as long as I
have my propane heater during cold weather. In fact, I've had to purchase a
second pair of binoculars so I will have some to use while we are hunting.

    For years, men have used hunting and fishing as a means of escape and
therapy. I still enjoy going to the lake or the field by myself or with a fishing or
hunting buddy from time to time. When I go bass fishing, I can put everything else
on the back burner for a while and focus all my attention and energy of catching
fish. It is quite therapeutic. It is equally therapeutic for my relationship with Kelly,
my daughter or Kelly's daughter, Megan, to go out for a day of hunting or fishing
with them. We get to remove ourselves from the day to day distractions and focus
our attention on our task and more importantly, each other. It is what some people
call, "quality time together".

    If you don't or haven't taken a special women in your life with you to the great
outdoors, give it a try. You might be surprised. It might be some of the best time
you get to spend together. Besides, when it comes time to buy that new boat,
shotgun, rifle or rod and reel, you might have a new ally rather than an adversary.
Think about it!

    Until next, enjoy the Texas outdoors.