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Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Becoming an Outdoors Woman
Are you ready?
More and more women are learning about and enjoying hunting, fishing, backpacking, shooting sports, kayaking and many more outdoor recreational activities. Becoming an Outdoors Woman is a great way to learn the outdoor skills that are necessary to enjoy these activities. Beginners are our specialty, and our programs offer a mix of outdoor skills over a three-day format, with all equipment provided for you.
The workshops provide opportunities in three general program areas: shooting and hunting, fishing, and eco-sports such as kayaking, camping or orienteering. The instruction is focused on the needs of learners 18 years old and older. All classes are taught in a very hands-on way, and scholarships are available to offset the cost of attending the program.
We currently offer a winter BOW weekend, a summer BOW weekend, a pilot fall BOW, and many Beyond BOW programs around the state.
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two woman sitting with tent in snow
Our next workshop
Our winter workshop will be held Feb. 19-21, 2027, at Bay Cliff Health Camp near Marquette. More details and registration will be coming soon.
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Future BOW workshops
Our winter workshop will be held Feb. 19-21, 2027, at Bay Cliff Health Camp near Marquette.
Our summer workshop will be held June 11-13, 2027, at the RAM Center on Higgins Lake.
Closed until next year
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Beyond BOW workshops
These sessions range from two to 12 hours and focus on training in and experiencing one or two outdoor skills (survival skills, birding, tree ID, fishing, fly tying, Dutch oven cooking, backpacking, firearm basics and many more) that can be enjoyed on public lands.
- Beyond BOW: Fabulous Fungi and Foraging, Sept. 23 at Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon - $30
- Beyond BOW: Archery Deer Hunt Workshop, Oct. 1-4 at Sharon Mills County Park in Manchester - $100
- Beyond BOW: Backpacking 101, Oct. 10 at Waterloo Recreation Area in Chelsea - $20
- Beyond BOW: Preparing for the Deer Hunt, Oct. 10 at the DNR Pocket Park in Escanaba - $30
- Beyond BOW: Fall Waterfowl Identification Workshop, Oct. 23 at Muskegon State Game Area - $30
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Partner opportunities
These sessions, focused on women getting outside, are led by engaging experts outside of the Department of Natural Resources.
- Women on the Wing sporting clay shoot, Oct. 10 in Lansing - $20
- Women on Target Shooting Clinic, Oct. 11 at Western Wayne County Conservation Association - $75
- Women in the Outdoors Learn To Hunt Deer, Archery, Oct 15-18 at Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge – free (limited enrollment, must apply)
- Women of the Wild Annual Duck Camp, Nov. 5 at Saginaw Bay - $675
- Whiteford Valley Gobblers Ladies Pheasant Hunt, Nov. 8 in Dundee
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Sign up for BOW email updates
Contact the BOW coordinator at DNRBOW@Michigan.gov.
Follow Becoming an Outdoors Woman Michigan on Facebook and BOW Michigan on Instagram.