Women in the Outdoors leads to adventure

By DAWN SLADE
Mille Lacs County Times
Posted 11/7/02

What began with a weekend of snowshoeing turned into a 50-pound weight loss, a true friendship and a once in a lifetime bison kill.

Cindy Bruss and Mary VanSomeren were both members of the Milaca Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. But the two didnít know each other until John Otten, the chapter president, introduced them to each other before they attended a Women in the Outdoors event.

Women in the Outdoors is part of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

It was February, 2000 when the two women attended that weekend retreat. One of the events scheduled at the Women in the Outdoors event, was a trek through the woods on snowshoes.

Out of breath and struggling, Bruss quickly realized she needed to shed some pounds. "There was too many things I wanted to do, to be that out of shape," Bruss said.

Since then, Bruss, a Foreston resident, and VanSomeren, a Princeton resident, have attended several Women in the Outdoors events.

And Bruss has lost 50 pounds in the process.

Women hunters

For the past eight to 10 years, VanSomeren has been a deer hunter. Sheís taken four deer so far.

"Itís no big deal," she said, "I just like being out in the woods."

But this spring was the first time sheís ever been out on a turkey hunt. Her friend was trying to shoot a turkey, while VanSomeren was shooting with her camera.

"It was quite an experience," she said.

VanSomeren has tried a variety of things at Women in the Outdoors events, including dog sledding.

For Bruss, archery seems to be her niche. It was May of this year when Bruss first pulled back a bow string. She enjoyed it so much, that she got herself a used bow.

But after practicing approximately six days a week, Bruss quickly maxed out the bow at 40 pounds. So, she bought herself a new PSE bow called "The Beast," with a 40-60-pound pull.

Just a few months later, in September, Bruss went to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada for a guided bison hunt at Deer Valley Ranch.

It was there that Bruss shot an 850-pound bison, with one arrow. She was the first female archer to take a bison at that ranch and the first archer ever at that ranch to take a bison with just one arrow.

"The arrow passed right through him and he dropped at 60 yards," Bruss said with a gleam in her eye. And sheís been enjoying the fruits of her labor ever since.

"Itís excellent, just like young beef," she said.

It doesnít appear this was a "lucky" shot either, as Bruss has since performed like Robin Hood with her bow. She actually shot an arrow into the end of another!

Weekend retreats

Both Bruss and VanSomeren point out the many benefits of attending Women in the Outdoors events.

"For me, itís like a retreat," Bruss said. "Itís a nice opportunity to take classes on things you might be interested in."

"You get to try things you donít normally try," VanSomeren added.

And as Bruss pointed out, instead of going out and purchasing a $500 bow without knowing if youíll enjoy it, you have the opportunity to learn about and try out a potential hobby at the Women in the Outdoors events. Find out first, if itís right for you.

In September, the two women attended the Women in the Outdoors national event at the Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, S.C.

"Celebrating Our Wild Side," was the theme for the event and Bruss and VanSomeren were able to participate in a number of classes.

Bruss said she enjoyed meeting such diverse and interesting people from all walks of life.

"The best part for me is, when Iím around these women, I donít feel weird. They like the same things I do," Bruss said of her passion for the outdoors.

Both commented on the professionals who teach the various classes.

"A lot of women enjoyed having a professional teach them about bow and gun safety and how to use them," Bruss said. "It gives you self-esteem."

Some of the classes offered at the event included a wildlife nature class where they learned what kind of plants are for birds, wild turkey, deer, etc.
backyard seeding class, outdoor photography, ATV and kayaking classes.

The Women in the Outdoors hosts a weekend retreat each year and one of the classes the women took was to help them learn how to run a Women in the Outdoors event and how to have a successful event.

So Bruss and VanSomeren are going to do just that.

On Feb. 7-9, 2003 the two will be hosting a Women in the Outdoors event in Deep Portage. The cost is $135 for a three-day weekend, which includes lodgings, meals and classes.

Some of the classes offered will include dog sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, outdoor winter survival, rock climbing and big game cooking.

"You donít have to be a hunter or even like being outdoors in the winter," Bruss said of the weekend event.

There will be indoor classes, such as a self-defense course, a natural home remedy class, a birding class, and possibly indoor photography and craft classes as well.

The Women in the Outdoors are still looking for volunteers to teach some of the classes.

There are over 40 women members of the Milaca Longbeards chapter of the National Wildlife Turkey Federation, including Bruss and VanSomeren who both talked of their appreciation for the sponsorship and support the organization has given them.

"I encourage women to go and try it," Bruss said of the Women in the Outdoors.

The National Wild Turkey Federation is holding a raffle to help sponsor events and the turkey habitat. Three turkey hunting trips (Florida, South Dakota and Texas) will be given away, including a Bombardier Quest 500 4x4 ATV and several guns.

Tickets can be purchased at D&L Cafe in Foreston, Prince Gun Shop and Prince Bait north of Milaca, or from any member of the Milaca Longbeards Chapter.

For more information on the Women in the Outdoors contact Bruss at 320-294-5570 or VanSomeren at 763-389-5411.