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A recent study by the National Shooting Sports Foundation revealed that the number of women participating in target sports has escalated to more than four million participants. This is according to the National Rifle Associations Headquarters, August 16, 2004. The sport of shooting continues to grow as more women are becoming involved in the sport of long range shooting, silhouettes, rifle, pistol, hunting, etc. These statistics encompass a wide variety of shooting sports. Although the number of men shooting Black Powder guns has grown, the number of women involved in the black powder sports has stayed stagnant. This leads me into my 2005 story.
“...the number of women participating in target sports
Women are slowly making their way into the sport of black powder shooting with the help of their spouses, brothers, uncles and other members of their family along with friends. As women shooters, we need to work towards the goal of getting more women and girls involved with the sport of competitive shooting, hunting, self defense, safety and the education of handling firearms. Black Powder and long range shooting is a sport that if the wife or girlfriend would give it a try, they would acquire an addiction that could only be cured by shooting competitively. Sue King, Women On Target (on hunting and shooting) stated: “Only the lack of opportunity and mentors has kept millions of interested women from participating.” Women can and should take a strong stance in the gun industry and become a voice that is loud and unstoppable.
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Annie
Oakley, born August 13, 1860 in Patterson Township, Darke County, Ohio,
was the legendary markswoman who traveled with the Buffalo Bill’s Wild
West Show. Annie could shoot a dime in mid-air, a cigarette from her
husband’s lips and more. Her great accomplishments in shooting helped to
play a major role in breaking the barriers that women have faced
throughout time as they entered the shooting sports. History shows that
women (from queens to the pioneer women) have used firearms to feed and
defend their homes. Many attackers have died because a woman could and
would shoot to survive and protect their home and family.
We
just returned from the 2004 Black Powder Cartridge Silhouette
Championships held in Raton, New Mexico, of the 358 shooters from all
over the world only 31 of those shooters were women. I know first hand
that women are very competitive as the high score shot (in a two day
overall) for the women was a 70 by Carol Scott with the 2nd place score
a 69 Faye Nunn and the next women in line shot a 68, 67 and a 66. The
scores were very close and the competition tough. If you attended the
Shiloh State shoot in Butte Montana, you would know that a woman shot
one target short of being the top overall shooter for a two day match.
Ruth Gruhler is not intimidated
by
the sport and through the horrible rainstorm, and the help of a great
spotter (her spouse) Ruth was able to stay focused and give the men a
run for their money.
