Click here to download the catalog as a PDF file. To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Lisa Parsons-Wraith Education Draws Women, Creates Customers E ducation is the cornerstone of the continuation of our shooting and hunting heritage. There are abundant opportunities to introduce women to the shooting sports and many theories on the best methods of creating lifelong shooters. Dealers have discovered that by teaming up with another organization, they can advance the shooting sports and create new customers for their stores. The key to a successful partnership is finding a program that truly meets the needs of women and understands that teaching women about firearms can be very different from teaching men. Glen’s Army Navy in Grand Rapids, Minn., has formed a successful partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and actively supports its educational efforts. Kraig Kiger, shooting sport program administrator for the MDNR, said one of the most successful programs offered by the MDNR is a Mother/Daughter Firearms Safety Class. The class has been offered for six years, and was created because women who participated in Becoming an Outdoors Woman wanted to bring their children along. Kiger said having moms, aunts and grandmothers act as mentors to young girls gives the classes a unique dynamic that makes the women and girls feel very comfortable. “We get really exciting questions from all the women,” Kiger said. “Firearms have a language all their own. If you don’t teach women the language, then they can’t join in the conversation.” Kiger pointed out that from an early age, boys tend to absorb the language of firearms, but that most young girls aren’t exposed to it. It feels perfectly natural for most men to refer to a rifle as a “two-seventy,” but Glen’s Army Navy actively supports firearm education classes and reaps the rewards with new gun sales. S Fit The Firearm ince the mother/daughter classes are 15 hours of instruction held over two days, Kiger is able to cover lots of information and introduce participants to many different types of firearms. To make the shooting experience as comfortable as possible, a section of the classes devoted to firearm fit. With the support of gun stores like Glen’s Army Navy, Kiger is able to introduce women to many different types of guns and ammunition. He has the women try full-size and youth-model guns. “We note that when female shooters go to a too-large firearm, their balance is off and they don’t enjoy shooting,” Kiger said. “We can see their out-of-line body posture.” Most of the manufacturers are currently providing shorter length stocks in their production guns, Kiger says. “You have two choices: buy a production youth firearm or buy what you like and have the stock fit to your measurements. If it doesn’t fit you, you won’t like the way it shoots and will become frustrated,” Kiger said. Kiger says that when it comes to rifles, a good .22 bolt-action The Beretta AL391 Urika (top) in a youth model and the Benelli Nova Pump Short Stock are good sizes for women. 22 OCTOBER 2008 www.shootingindustry.com