More Women Drawn To The Shooting Sports (NAPSA)—While many would say that shooting is a male-dominated sport, a National Rifle Association (NRA) program that teaches firearm safety and marksmanship to womenis proving otherwise. NRA’s Women On Target™ program was launched in 1999, in response to persistent calls from women asking how and where they could learn to shoot and hunt. The combination of rising women’s interest and a program that makes it easy to enter the sport is proving that shooting isn’t so male-dominatedafterall. The program offers three types of events that teach women the safe, enjoyable use of firearms— instructional shootingclinics, charity shooting events and hunting excursions. All are for women only, although men have responded enthusiastically to act as instructors, guides and event organizers. The rapid growth of the program would seem to indicate that women are finding the shooting sports very enjoyable, particularly the instructional clinics. In 2000, 13 instructional shoots were held, attracting about 500 women. Last year, 47 shoots were conducted with more than 2,000 participants. For this year, shoots are still being scheduled and attendancefigures are still coming in, but by the end of December, as many as 120 clinics will have been held, with up to 3,000 women attending. During instructional shooting clinics, which are held at local gun clubs and overseen by NRA-certified instructors, women receive a thorough orientation to gun safety, followed by basic shooting lessons. One thing women seem to especially enjoy about shootingis that it is primarily a mental sport, requir- a") Women are taking aim at the notion that shooting and hunting are male-dominated sports. ing concentration, analytical skills and self-control to be proficient. Beyond the learning experience, the program also shows women how welcomethey are at contemporary shooting ranges, and gives them a friendly place to return for more shooting opportunities. “Women have a place in the shooting sports, and Women On Target” is helping them find it,” said Stephanie Henson, manager of NRA’s Women’s Programs Department. “Women from all walks of life are finding out how rewarding the shootingsports are.” “Between this and yoga, ’m going to have to work 24/7,” said a 29-year-old woman who attended an instructional clinic in New York City last July. “About 3.5 million women in this country already target shoot,” added Henson, “and that number will continue to rise as long as women are given the encouragement and learning opportunities they need.” To learn more about Women On Target”, or for a complete schedule of events, call (800) 861-1166 or visit www.nrahq.org/women.
