Distinctly Montana Magazine

Jennifer Shelley offers guidance to a student. BEHIND THE BARREL Even if you've never thought about shooting a gun, Jennifer Shelley's passion for the sport of clay shooting will make you give it a second thought. Shelley, the Montana Women's Sporting Clays Champion, started with upland game bird hunt- ing seven years ago but quickly found her way to what she describes as an awesome, wonderful ball game. Clay shooting really is a game—one involving an outdoor course and 100 targets. To succeed, shoot- ing must be second nature. In 2011, Shelley started She Shoots Clays in Bigfork, offering classes on shooting for women. Shelley enjoys teaching men, but when she teaches a women's clinic, she prefers not to have the gentlemen around. She cites one specific reason: focus. "With sporting clays and shooting, you have to have 100% of your focus and your mind on breaking the target," she says. "That's why shooting sports might be a little bit challenging for women—because we always have four or five thoughts in our brain, instead of one." So, Shelley limits distractions and takes time to assess a woman's history, vision, gun fit, and form before she ever pulls the trigger. "Women are incredible shooters. They realize they can break a target and they walk away so empowered, whether they've shot before or not. They absolutely love it." With Shelley's contagious enthusiasm, hitting the mark doesn't seem so hard. FOR MORE INFORMATION: DUNROVIN RANCH www.dunrovinranchmontana.com KINGFISHER FLYSHOP www.kingfisherflyshop.com/FlyFishing-School SHE SHOOTS CLAYS www.facebook.com/pages/She-Shoots-Clays/208045455903069 SANDRA RENNER, owner of Blacktail Ranch in Wolf Creek, believes that outdoor experiences can be profound. "Giving women the opportunity to be in the great outdoors with none of their typical responsibilities and cares is very rewarding and fun—lots of laughs and bad jokes. It is amazing to me how many women, even in Montana, have not had that many outdoor experiences without their husbands, boyfriends, or fathers. Women can and often do find a whole new side to themselves; a side they never knew existed." Dunrovin Ranch trail ride. ON HORSEBACK SuzAnne Miller will hap- pily take the blame for your addiction to horses. Miller's Dunrovin Ranch Discovery Club, while open to adult riders of all levels, is predominately women and facilitated by women. Miller wants to foster a comfort- able environment where women can learn from other horsewomen and her horses. She believes that a partnership with a horse can teach people a lot about themselves, and that riding with others in a respectful environment promotes self-assurance. Club member Pam Voth explains, "Like SuzAnne says, 'We're not doing lunch, or playing cards.' We are doing something that requires a lot of self-reliance and confidence. You have to have a lot of concern and compassion for your horse partner and your riding partners because we're doing something that is sort of dangerous. It's really life affirming—you come back from a ride and its like you took a vacation in the middle of your week. You've really stretched your boundaries." Miller starts all her club members at the beginner level, to ensure that she understands their skill level and they understand her approach to horses. But once she provides the necessary information, she encourages her students to learn by doing. Awareness and anticipation guide her approach to horsemanship, as well as her approach to teaching; which enables her to blend safety and independence. Add to that her slightly mischievous side and you might sus- pect that a riding experience with her will be unforgettable. TIE THE KNOT FLY FISHING INSTRUCTION http://tietheknotflyfishing.com/wordpress/ BECOMING AN OUTDOORSWOMAN Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks offers workshops to women on survival training, outdoor cooking, and more. http://fwp.mt.gov/education/bow/ DISTINCTLY MONTANA WOMAN 10 PREMIERE ISSUE • SPRING 2012 STEPHANIE STECK DANIELLE LATTUGA DANIELLE LATTUGA

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