More than 90 women had an opportunity to learn those skills and more during Women in the Outdoors, an event held Saturday at Hilliard Ranch near Davilla.
“We just try to think of classes the women will find interesting,” said Monica Sobotka, one of the event coordinators.
Other classes offered included Texas hawking, kayaking, beginning shotgun, handgun safety, Dutch oven cooking, ATV safety and, new this year, trailer backing.
In fact, trailer backing, along with knot tying, were two of the most popular classes offered, Sobotka said.
Organizers said the event was one of their best to date. More classes were offered this year, and more women attended the event.
“I think it’s word-of-mouth. Last year was so successful,” said Kim Godin, another of the coordinators. “A lot of the women here today are previous participants who brought friends.”
Diane Mason of Waco came to Saturday’s event because it sounded fun.
“It was something different and unique,” she said while waiting to back a trailer into a slot cordoned off with orange pylons. She chose trailer backing as one of her classes because “I’ve never seen it offered anywhere.”
Connie Perdue of Davilla also signed up for the trailer backing class, which was taught by Debra Jackson, a professional truck driving instructor.
Perdue chose the class for “all its practical applications” and said she’d never had anyone offer to teach her how “other than being in the truck and have them yelling at you.”
Across a field, Bill Fry and his son-in-law Keith Schubert taught wagon driving. They showed women how to put a collar and harness on two almost 20-year-old mules, Julie and Jane.
They then hitched them to the wagon, explaining each step along the way.
Each participant had a chance to drive the team, making sure the reins were taut, and directing the mules with a simple, but firm pull.
“There’s always tension on the reins,” Fry said.
Debra Lawson of Austin liked the event because it was so well planned and organized.
“And you get to do things you otherwise wouldn’t have a chance to do,” she said before driving the mule team herself.
Inside a building, classes were taught in herb gardening, wood turning and duct tape handbag making. Under a shade tree, participants learned digital photography and camping basics.
Out on a bluff, varmint hunting and fishing took place.
Perdue said she liked that the cost was affordable. A $50 registration fee paid for four classes, lunch and membership in Women in the Outdoors, a program of the National Wild Turkey Federation.
The conservation organization started Women in the Outdoors because it saw a need to get women involved in the outdoors, said Nanette Stockstill, regional director for the federation.
“Women are a strong group and they have a lot of influence over their family’s activities,” she said.
If women can be introduced to activities and feel comfortable participating, they’ll introduce their children to those activities, she said.
This is the 11th year for Women in the Outdoors. “The program has increased,” she said.
In 1998, there were 10 events nationwide. In 2008, there were more than 400, Stockstill said.
