I just read this somewhere. And no, t'was not a guy but a GAL spake those self-limiting words. Though the originator of that statement knew me not, she punched my button as surely as a blind bullet fired at 45 degrees into the heavens might find its way back through the leafy canopy and strike me in my deerstand.

Not for girls?

It all started with Artemis..Diana if you will. The singlemost damaging role model ever displayed to young women. Devoted to the chase and the healing arts, and to children, she has led many of us down the garden path and into the woods.



There were others, of course, Amazons and other mythological archers, and as the timeline blends into our own era, the light is cast more boldly, female archers are limned in greater clarity, and reflect the great diversity with which the Earth is blessed.







Now, I am not a girl, but a full-grown (overgrown) woman, and I started shooting as a girl of nine. I have had a lifetime of people telling me what I couldn't do or had to do because of my being female. I rejected it, I fought it, and have spent my time on Earth determining what I thought was worthwhile and what I thought was Shinola. I have pursued the worthwhile and gotten rid of the fertilizer as best as I could.

If shooting is not for women, then there are a whole lot of us deluded gals out there doing it. And it would take someone stronger than me to tell these proud girls, growing into confident, capable women, that what they did was wrong.







So, where can all of this lead a poor misguided woman? There is stumping, backyard fun and 3-D shoots. It is a fun thing to be able to teach your kids, and while away an afternoon.
There is of course, Trad Gang. Or the Olympics.  Olympic video  
Any number of paths lead the merry archers' feet into adventures and victories, self-improvement and analysis, defeats and rethought strategies. What endears me most to archery is that it gives me great excuses. Doing dishes softens my fingers and ruins my release. Can't do anything in the kitchen because the arrows are drying, propped on the counter up against the cabinets. Can't sweep, I made the broom into a bowscale.

Basically, housework isn't for girls who shoot bows.    
Killdeer ~just thought I'd share a rant. And now you know where the button is. Certainly not on my lip!

Great post Killie!

that 'gal' you speak of sure must be shallow minded  

I wish more women were raised in an environment that encouraged them to pursue outdoor activities like archery.  Less pink for little girls; save it for the red of a blood trail.

Woo Hoo! Git it done Gal! Ought to be more like you IMO.  At the 4-H shoot this weekend I was glad to see a bunch of girls shooting and the best one I saw was a girl.  Don't want her to shoot at me!  I always liked the "tom boy" sort myself.  They seem more real to me.
As usual, I enjoy your writing, even on a rant, as you say.
the nutty pine

Working in the kitchen...



Killdeer

Oh, go Killie!!!        

This whole thread is just awesome...

Amen sister!  

Don't forget the late great Ann Weber Hoyt.

That was a cool video Killie.  I wish my two daughters would take more of an interest in archery.

Dennis

Not for girls you say ?   Better not tell my two

NOT FOR GIRLS??  You'd never get my wife and daughters to believe that one.  

Having taught many many kids and adults about shooting bowsnarrahs I can attest to the fact that gals- be they little ones or more seasoned- are much easier to teach and learn faster.      so I can be like her because everybody has longbows...lol
   

Very well ranted there Killy  

Killdeer....perhaps you'll shoot a round with my wife and daughter and me this weekend in Baltimore?

New to the site and so happy that I landed on this particular string.

Welcome Aboard!!  

Killy I read the first two sentences of the start of this; and fell off my chair laughing!!

Of all people to say that too; YOU!!! LOL !!!

I didn't grow up with the idea that hunting was limited to men; and one of my favorite photos I have is of Maryln Monroe; shooting a bow; with a real honest smile on her face; and a quiver full of broken arrows. She apparently had fun that day shooting a bow.    

I shot hunting tournaments with women; and there was a lady in the club that took a big five in Africa - never occured to me - that people would think archery or bowhunting as a manly man thing.

I would have loved to see the expression on your face !! That would make the perfect tradgang T shirt !!!   LOL !!

Great thread! This is a great way of life for all!