About Ronda Hometown: North Freedom, Wis. Hometown Chapter: Glacier Valley Gobblers, Reedsburg NWTF Involvement: Ronda has been an NWTF member for nearly 10 years. In addition to helping host hunts and owner appreciation days, she has served on the three-day state event committee for seven years, been the Glacier Valley Gobbler’s registration coordinator for five years and even instructed a few classes last year.

Q&A with Ronda Lehman

Ronda doesn’t let anything stand in the way of enjoying life. She faced adversity with courage by taking her first buck while battling breast cancer.

NWTF: You found the strength to hit the woods and pursue your passions during such difficult times in your life. What do you attribute that ability to?
 

Ronda Lehman: I am not one to let anything stop me from what I want to accomplish. I am a five-year breast cancer survivor, and shot my first buck during treatment for cancer. It was an incredible day to have a radiation treatment in the morning, take a nap and then enjoy a beautiful day in the woods; to harvest my first buck on top of that was pretty cool. I also harvested my first turkey the following spring after breaking my neck in a car accident.
 

It has been through difficult times in my life that I have found being outdoors so relaxing. When I could not do things I would normally do at home, I would go to the woods, relax and enjoy nature. The woods are such a peaceful and spiritual place. I also think that, by going to the woods, I told myself inside that I was not going to let cancer or a broken neck take anything away from me.

NWTF: How has being involved with Women in the Outdoors enriched your life?
 

RL: When I attended a one-day Women in the Outdoors event and learned more about the NWTF, it was definitely a “now that I have tried it, I’m hooked” situation. I have made new friends through the Women in the Outdoors program and learned so many things about the outdoors that I can share with my children. I am much more confident and able to enjoy something we all love with my family.
 

When I had cancer, the NWTF members were extremely supportive. Our chapter’s committee members would have done anything for me or taken care of anything I needed while I received my cancer treatments. They are just awesome people.

NWTF: What do you think sets the Women in the Outdoors outreach program apart from other programs?
 

RL: I really think it is unique to have a program that is so centered on women. And it is impressive that volunteers do all the instruction and work. The volunteers really work hard to make sure every woman of any age or skill level feels comfortable. The program offers a wide variety of activities for those who like to hunt and for those who prefer not to. There are classes for nearly any interest, and our chapter is always looking for different classes to hold.
 

The other neat thing about the NWTF is that by becoming a member, you have already contributed something. But if you want to contribute even more, there are unlimited ways to get involved. If you are knowledgeable about something, you can share it with others by instructing a class. Or if you want to learn more about something, you can through attending classes. I have found that I am interested in a bunch of things I did not even know about before, and I always try a new class when I get the opportunity to.

NWTF: What do you think is the key to getting more women involved in the outdoors?
 

RL: Since we all want to spend more time with our children, I really believe sparking the interest of children will encourage more women to become involved in the outdoors.

NWTF: How do you envision the Women in the Outdoors program moving forward in Wisconsin?
 

RL: In today’s economy, it has been challenging to keep the attendance up at our events. So right now, our chapter is offering full or half scholarships to newcomers to help offset the cost of attending our events. And if a participant brings a friend, we will give them an extra raffle ticket or something. We do whatever it takes to promote getting new members and spread the word about our chapter.

NWTF: Why do you feel it is important for others to join the NWTF?
 

RL: Seeing the percentage of hunters dwindle each year is scary. Being an NWTF member helps support the future of not only the wild turkey but also nature and the outdoors. It helps to offer as much education as we can, because I do not think some people understand that being an outdoors person does not necessarily mean you have to harvest anything. It just means you are enjoying what God has put on the earth for us to enjoy. — Melanie Swearingen

The Wisconsin State Women in the Outdoors 3-day event will be held at Living Waters Bible Camp in Westby, WI August 20-22, 2010. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available? For more information contact:  Jean Sylla-King, 326 South 2nd Street, Black River Falls, WI  54615  phone:  715-284-0505  email:  syllaking@centurytel.net or click on WITO.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — If a picture is worth a thousand words, the smiles and fun captured in photos at the many Women in the Outdoors events held nationwide would speak enough to write a novel.

National Wild Turkey Federation volunteer Ronda Lehman accepted the Best State Women in the Outdoors Event Award for the Wisconsin State Chapter during the NWTF's 34th annual National Convention and Sport Show. Click image for print quality version

For doing an exceptional job of introducing women to activities in the great outdoors, the Wisconsin State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation was honored as the winner of the Best State Event Award during the 34th annual NWTF National Convention and Sport Show. The convention, sponsored by MidwayUSA, is taking place in Nashville until Feb. 21.

"I was lucky enough to win a pass to a Women in the Outdoors event 10 years ago, and once I got there, I was hooked," said Ronda Lehman, a volunteer who accepted the award for the Wisconsin State Chapter. "The program has become so much a part of who I am that I'm proud to help other women enjoy the outdoors through the NWTF. I know this will inspire other members of the chapter — including our dedicated committee members — to keep up the good work."

Since 1998, the NWTF volunteers have worked through the Women in the Outdoors program to share the outdoor tradition by providing expert instruction and hands-on education through events designed for women. During its inaugural year, Women in the Outdoors hosted 18 events and today the program organizes more than 240 events annually across the nation.

"The NWTF's Women in the Outdoors program is for North America's moms, daughters and sisters, who want to get outside, learn new activities and make new friends," said Teresa Carroll, Women in the Outdoors program coordinator. "The Wisconsin State Chapter has taken the lead in their area for introducing women to activities like self-defense, canoeing, fishing, hunting, shooting and more."

Through dynamic partnerships with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies, the NWTF and its members have helped restore wild turkey populations across the country, spending more than $306 million to conserve 14 million acres of habitat for all types of wildlife.

The Federation works to increase interest in the outdoors by bringing new hunters and conservationists into the fold through outdoor education events and its outreach programs — Women in the Outdoors, Wheelin' Sportsmen, JAKES and Xtreme JAKES.

For more information about the Women in the Outdoors outreach program or the NWTF visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF.

02/25/2009

Local Women in the Outdoors Chapter Receives Award During NWTF Convention

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Wisconsin State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation received the award for Best Women in the Outdoors State Event during the NWTF's Convention and Sport Show, held Feb. 19 to Feb. 22 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.

For ten years, the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors program has worked to share the outdoor tradition by providing expert instruction and hands-on education through events designed for women. During its inaugural year, Women in the Outdoors hosted 18 events and today the program organizes more than 400 events across the nation.

"The Women in the Outdoors program gives women the opportunity to learn, laugh and lighten up," said Women in the Outdoors Program Coordinator Teresa Carroll. "We promote fun and upbeat events that are about learning new skills and enjoying fellowship with other women."

The NWTF is a national nonprofit conservation organization that was founded in 1973 and has worked with wildlife agencies to restore wild turkey populations from 1.3 million wild turkeys in 1973 to nearly 7 million today. Now, NWTF volunteers raise funds and work daily to improve critical wildlife habitat, increase access to public hunting land and introduce new people to the outdoors and hunting.

The NWTF's convention included many action-packed events, including entertaining and educational outdoor seminars, award-winning country music entertainment, exciting auctions, world-class taxidermy and custom turkey call displays, an exhibit hall packed with more than 545 booths of the outdoor industry's latest gear and much more. This year's convention attracted more than 43,000 sportsmen and women.

2004, 2005, 2006 & 2008 National Award Winner
for
Best State Women In The Outdoors Event!

The 12th annual event will be held at the centrally located, beautiful Camp LuWiSoMo in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. Visit the Wisconsin Women in the Outdoors website at this link: http://www.wiowi.com/

The event coordinator is:

Jean Sylla-King
(715) 284-0505
syllaking@centurytel.net