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.
The fall session will be held on Sept. 18-20 at the Pigeon River Country State Forest Headquarters in Vanderbilt. This is a pilot program with limited registration.
Exploring the Big Wild: Elk, Trout, and Upland Traditions of the Pigeon River Country
Sept. 18–20
Pigeon River Country Headquarters (print and use the written directions from this page rather than mobile apps)
Participant capacity: 15, past participants
Lodging: Pigeon River Country Bunkhouse
Caution: There is no cell service in the Pigeon River Country
Primary locations:
Participants will:
Our fall session will be held on Sept. 18-20, 2026 at the Pigeon River Country State Forest Headquarters in Vanderbilt. This is a pilot session with limited registration open to past participants only.
Our winter session will be held on Feb. 19-21, 2027, at Bay Cliff Health Camp near Marquette.
Summer BOW 2027 will be held on June 11-13, 2027, at the RAM Center on Higgins Lake.
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.
These sessions, focused on women getting outside, are led by engaging experts outside of the Department of Natural Resources.
Contact the BOW coordinator at DNRBOW@Michigan.gov.
Follow Becoming an Outdoors Woman Michigan on Facebook and BOW Michigan on Instagram.
