I’ve always loved being outdoors, whether it was riding my four-wheeler or fishing, or taking walks. I didn’t really get into hunting much until I got with my husband 6 years ago, when I was 17. He is my biggest influence in the hunting world, he’s taught me everything I know about hunting. I’m so glad I now have the confidence to hunt by myself and I feel safe doing so.

My best memory is when I killed my first scrub head buck. I was so proud to be putting meat in the freezer. Another memory I take pride in is when I picked out our dog, ruger. We bred 2 of our best coon dogs and I got to keep my pick of the litter. He was biggest puppy (and still yet the biggest hound we have) and I was immediately attached. Ruger was not a good coon dog lol. I can remember having to carry him across creek crossings because he was scared, or dragging him up hills because he thought they were too big. Sometimes when the mountains were too big for me, he would set at the bottom with me while the other dogs were treed. My husband kept telling me he wasn’t going to make anything more than a pet but I refused to give up on him. He is now the leader of our bear pack and no amount of money in the world could buy him from me or my husband.

My first hound dog that I bought with my own money really started my passion and appreciation for running hounds. There’s nothing like having your own dog in the race! My advice to other girls wanting to get involved in the outdoors is to not let anyone make you think that isn’t your place. Girls can do anything in the woods that a man can and some maybe even better. And also, make sure you take Chapstick and toilet paper when you go!

 Another piece of advice I have for any hunter; Hunting is all trial and error and practice, so don’t give up! The dogs you train are so loyal to you and all they want to do is please you, so don’t give up on them if they take longer to learn. Like people, sometimes all it takes is one way of doing something different for it to click in their brain. In the end it really pays off to say that you trained that dog from a puppy and he’s now your best.

My main focus right now is on my Huckleberry hound and my next goal is to get another walker puppy to train as a show dog.