Special thanks to Victoria Shipp for sharing her report with NRAblog:
In September 2009, I had one of the most exhilarating, interesting and memorable experiences of my life. I was one of the lucky; fifty women (ranging in age from late twenties to mid-seventies!) chosen to participate in the NRA’s Women’s Wilderness Escape, held at the NRA Whittington Center near Raton, New Mexico. This Center is set on 33,000 acres of unspoiled landscape which is home to mule deer, antelope, brown bear, rattlesnakes and I’m sure much more. Although the deer really camouflage themselves well, they seem to have no fear of humans as they wander at will.
This “Escape” was in its second year and I can only foresee that there will be many more to follow since it gives women a chance to learn about, and use firearms, hunting techniques, game calling, personal safety, just to name a few things that they may never have an opportunity to experience anywhere else. The organization, scheduling, work and time that the folks at the NRA headquarters in Fairfax, VA, put into this program is truly amazing. In addition to the instructors, there were dozens of volunteers, people who love what they do and are willing to help for two weeks. The camaraderie at the Center is wonderful; all the staff were willing, ready and able to assist, and the women got to know each other fairly quickly.
The Escape lasted nine days and during that time, we were taught the basics of pistol, rifle, shotgun, muzzle loader and archery from NRA Certified Instructors, sometimes with one-on-one instruction; scattered in-between these courses, were a variety of other survival-based programs. Every course was designated with a special color and we collected beads for a necklace to prove we’d completed the course. The daily schedule was packed from 6:15 am until sometimes 10:00 pm, so this is not quite a “vacation” or for the faint-hearted!
Safety is of the utmost importance for The NRA and safety instructions were repeated throughout all of the courses and the correct range procedures were adhered to without fail. This was something that we all appreciated, as we all wanted to get home safely.
All of the weapons we used were brand new and were supplied by leading gun manufacturers.
For myself, not growing up around weapons, this program was a daunting trip. I had all sorts of worries about whether I could actually do some of the programs; one especially frightening to me was the muzzle loader! When I had first arrived at the Center, I happened to sit with two of the instructors for the muzzle loader course and told them of my fears – (eg. recoil, noise). Ron and Mike tried their hardest to put my fears at ease, which they did to some extent. But like everything, until you’ve tried something new and proved to yourself whether you can do it or not, the basic fear was still there. So, on the second day of the program, I found myself with my other “sisters of the Hopi tribe” at the range for muzzle loader instruction.
It was a fairly chilly morning (the weather is very changeable there, and varied between 25F and 80F). Although I was dressed in layers, I wasn’t sure if my trembling was from the cold or just nervousness. All I can say is, - what wonderful instructors Ron, Mike, Karen and Bert were. Ron was especially proud of me as I shot two clays with a .50 caliber bullet that had been cut in two by an axe head that was embedded in a tree stump. One of the clays had the middle shot out whilst the outside was in tact. Six of us during the course managed to do this, but the fuss they made of us was, to say the least, overwhelming, and we were given memorable plaques to record the occasion.
I had also never picked up a bow and arrow in my life, but after instruction from the capable Archery Team instructors, I think I have become addicted. Although I know I will never be a “hunter” and feed my family, but for a skilled, quiet sport in a team, or merely to do on one’s own, this sport gives a lot of satisfaction. I had tremendous admiration for one of the instructors, Lisa, who has hunted meat for her family for the last ten years. One of the programs was a Tree Stand and Mock Hunt whereby Lisa showed us how to erect a seat and ladder in a tree, which became “home” whilst waiting for the prey, and then how to track an animal after it had been hit. Obviously, the bow and arrows she uses for hunting were far, far superior and deadly to the beginner ones we used. Although all precautions and safety procedures were reviewed, I had a slight accident whereby my left elbow wasn’t bent out enough. After the arrow was released, the strings caught my flesh (even though I had several layers of clothes) and I received quite a nice sized bruise (3”x6”). However, after that I learned my lesson and remembered the correct form!
The pistol, rifle and shotgun courses were just amazing, and we practically had one-on-one instruction, which gave me a wonderful sense of safety. Although I’m still very new to all this, I learned such a lot from everyone and amazed myself at what I could accomplish. The personal safety pistol course was very exciting and the lead instructor was an ex-FBI woman who taught us a lot of things.
I think the highlights of the courses for all of us, were towards the last few days. We were given the basic instruction of a sniper rifle and a belt-fed machine gun (both with scopes), after which we had the chance to fire them (with supervision) in the prone position. With the sniper rifle, iron animals (in profile) were set up at 200, 300, 400 and 500 yard distances and the final one was a white buffalo, measuring about 6x10 feet that had been carried out 1,123 yards and mounted on a berm.
The machine gun, which is used by the Navy Seals, was also fired in the prone position. We were firing again at a berm, but this time at clays. We were told by our instructor (a former Marine) that only.5% of the U.S. population have, or would ever, fire one of these guns.
When the course came to an end, we ladies, and I’m sure the instructors and volunteers too, were fairly exhausted! We had a wonderful last evening supper, with accolades to staff and pupils, and a mini auction whereby I purchased a “pepto pink” Ruger 10/22 – proceeds of which will help support next year’s Escape. Ladies who will be taking rifle instruction from my husband, Mike, will use this Ruger, but I hope the color will not deter any man who needs instruction too!
My final thoughts on this adventure are that ~ if you set your mind to accomplish something that is out of your comfort zone, given the proper instruction and tools, you can achieve anything you want. I’m so glad I was able to participate in this women’s NRA course.
I am proud of the work that the NRA do for us all and our great Country. Please help support their work by becoming a member.
Read NRAblog's coverage of the Women's Wilderness Escape!