While many of this year's Women's Wilderness Escape participants have some experience with firearms, the majority are new to archery. The volunteer archery instructors start small. "First we start with a blank, white target," Lead archery instructor Linda Dubrol told us. "We then move to color, with a yellow bullseye surrounded by red, blue, black, and white rings."

As the smiles above illustrate, this activity is quite rewarding. "The women really enjoyed this part of the week last year, and we'rereceiving positive feedback aldready," volunteer instructor Lisa Metheny told NRAblog. "Abig part of the fun over here is that since the ladies aren't wearinghearing protection on the archery range, it's a lot more social."

Similar to the cheers on the five-stand shotgun range, encouraging shouts and clapping reward each participant who manages to score a bullseye. After wrapping up a morning of archery, the ladies head to lunch. After the noon meal, it's time for the next step: mock bow hunting with realisitic looking 3-D targets. "Yes, the arrows do stick in 'em," Metheny told NRAblog of the assorted critters. "It's a bit of a challenge to pull them out!" 

Volunteer instructors carefully place the 3-D deer, turkey, bear, boar, and gopher targets in the woods in preparation for the afternoon session. We'll be back on the scene to get some photos and even video of the ladies' hunt adventure.