Changing the game: Female hunters find their tribe
Photo:
Supplied/Alesha Tomasi
Wanting to connect with other female hunters, two best friends took it upon themselves to create an online community to make it happen.
Sammi Holland and Alesha Tomasi are behind Daughters of the Wild dedicated to women who hunt.
Holland said she grew up outdoors but lacked female hunting role models and often felt judged by men.
"My old man was really into the salmon fishing when they were good in the Rakia and had size to them. So, it all started back then," Holland said.
"And I know as a female, being a fisher women I know how much judgement you get, especially from the older guys they would just say 'what are you doing here, you shouldn't be learning this, a woman shouldn't be in the outdoors'.
"It was just something I grew up with, I knew there was that outlook of older men looking down on women and I know how much that can affect some women.
"So, it's kind of a way to encourage women that if you can see one person doing it, you can do it, don't worry what others think."
Holland, based in Christchurch, came across Alesha Tomasi, who lives on the West Coast, on TikTok and immediately liked her.
"I saw this video just pop up and I thought 'oh man she's so cool' and I had this message typed out for probably five or six days, I was so nervous to message her," Holland said.
"I just sent it and thought if she says no, she says no, she might ignore it but then I got a message back."
Photo:
Supplied/Alesha Tomasi
The pair have gone on to become best friends and are on a mission to inspire women who hunt.
They regularly headed out hunting together-often with their partners-and have big plans for their group, including meetups and workshops.
Alesha Tomasi said the response to the group had been huge, with women from small towns reaching out to say they finally felt seen.
She said there are plenty of resources for women who may want to get started.
"New Zealand Deerstalkers Association do some really cool hunt courses, which are good to help get into it.
"The Game Animal Council has an online programme called Better Hunting and that has absolutely everything from learning how to cut up animals, shooting, how to sharpen your knife. Everything.
"But just give it a go and try get amongst it."
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