Montana Outdoor Podcast

Are You or The Lady(s) That You Know an Outdoors Woman? Learn All About Becoming an Outdoors Woman!

• Kylie Kembel, BOW Coordinator • Season 8 • Episode 14

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There was once a law many years ago in Montana that basically said women were not allowed to fish alone! Well, move over guys because women in Montana are becoming Outdoors Women. This week on the Montana Outdoor Podcast your host Downrigger Dale talks with Kylie Kembel, Coordinator of the BOW or Becoming an Outdoors Women program at Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Kylie talks about all the different skills that women can learn in the different BOW events that she and her staff put on throughout the year. Ladies can learn how to icefish, flyfish, backpack, snowshoe, gain backcountry survival skills and list goes on and on, even how to make soap out of parts of the wild game that they learn how to harvest! How do they do that? Click the play button above and listen and find out. In fact, one of Rigger’s daughters attended one of the programs and she loved it! There is just a tremendous number of things that women can learn that will put them on the way to discovering Montana’s Outdoors in a way that they may have never thought possible. And for all you guys out there this podcast is for you as well! Do you possess an outdoor skill that you would like to share with others? BOW is always looking for those that can teach outdoor skills to the BOW participants. Listen to find how you can get involved. So, ladies what are you waiting for? Listen to this podcast and learn how to get involved! Don’t forget, the Montana Outdoor Podcast is now on video! You can watch any time on YouTube by clicking here! This is the second video podcast but most all of them will be on video from now on. You of course can still listen to the audio version from any podcast site or by returning to this site every week.

Links:

  • Click here to learn more about BOW and find out when the next program is starting! You can attend whichever classes interest you! 
  • You can click here to sign up to get emails or texts with updates on upcoming BOW events and classes.
  • Questions for Kylie? Simply click here to send her and email and ask her whatever you want.
  • Rigger would love to hear from you as well. Click here to email him and let him know your thoughts about this episode of the Montana Outdoor Podcast and give him your ideas for topics for future Podcasts.

Remember to tune in to The Montana Outdoor Radio Show, live every Saturday from 6:00AM to 8:00AM MT. The show airs on 30 radio stations across the State of Montana. You can get a list of our affiliated radio stations on our website. You can also listen to recordings of past shows, get fishing and and hunting information and much more at that website or on our Facebook page. You can also watch our radio show there as well.

Manny Open:

This is the Montana Outdoor Podcast brought to you in part by Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer in Missoula, home of Boss Snowplows, cm, truck beds and diamond sea trailers. Just go to R-E-M-T-T e.com for more information and buy superior hardwoods of Montana, home of the largest selection of in stock, high-end wood products and flooring in the western United States. Let them guide you through theWoods@superior-hardwoods.com. Now get ready for more fascinating topics and the most interesting people you will ever find in Montana's great outdoors. We offer new podcasts most every Saturday. You can get a link to these podcasts by going to our website, Montana outdoor.com, or by going to our Facebook page. Or just send an email to down rigger@montanaoutdoor.com. And say, send a link to my email. It's that simple. Now let's head out with your host down rigger Dale and see what's going on in Montana's great outdoors.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Thank you very much, Manny. And welcome. Welcome all of you to the Montana Outdoor Podcast studio. So great to have you here and I wanna welcome a uh, special send out. Welcome to, uh, the Men and Women of the United States Armed Forces for. Listening to this podcast deployed all around the world. It's such an honor to have all of you here. And, um, for all the rest of you, uh, thank you as well for jumping on in here. We do appreciate it. Have a favor to ask everyone listening here today, and that is please share this podcast with your family and friends. Go to social media, wherever you'd like to share it. We always love to have you along. Um, now, today I wanna talk about something that is very near and dear to my heart, not just because I am a, uh, father of eight daughters and one stepdaughter. All incredible ladies on their own. But, uh, also just because it's, it is just really a, a great program. It, it encourages. Women to get out and discover Montana's great outdoors and really, it's, it's a national program. It, it goes all around the, uh, the nation, uh, with me today is, uh, Kylie Kimball. uh, she is the coordinator for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman or, um, Bo BOW program. This podcast, Kylie has gone all around, uh, the world and has grown incredibly. I, I'm just blown away by, uh, how it has grown. We're now in the top 1% of, uh, podcasts in the nation, which, uh, is just blows me away. And thank you to all of our listeners for that. So when you were on last February. A lot of people that are listening right now may not have heard that podcast. So, before we get into what, uh, the bow program has been up to lately, let's talk a bit about what you do for the program and for, uh, Montana Fish, wildlife and Parks.

Kylie BOW 1:

Absolutely. I actually run two programs for Fish, wildlife and Parks. One of them, the Becoming An Outdoors Woman, but also the Voter Safety Education Program. I. And sometimes those overlap like when we do, uh, kayaking classes. my job is primarily to organize volunteers and community events to kind of get these skills, a hands-on learning skills. Opportunities to Montana.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

And you do a great job of it. Um, and I can speak from experience because my daughter, uh, Davis was just in one of your programs, uh, on both. She was in the, um, the, the birdwatching program that you guys just did. She absolutely loved it. Uh, yeah, she just loved it. And, uh, is so excited to get involved in more of your programs. So. Kudos to you there. Uh, I just may convince her one of these days to go fishing with me. Now she is discovering the outdoors. She is becoming an outdoors woman.

Rigger BOW 1:

So

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

I'm, I'm just, I'm, I'm just thrilled about that because when you live in Montana, I mean, if you're not spending some time in the outdoors, you're missing. The, the greatest gift of all that this state gives you. Um, so let's talk a bit about what you guys have been up to, um, lately. Um, talk about so far this year, some of the programs that you've done. I mean, we've mentioned the Bird Watching Program, but go over some of the programs, uh, that you've done so far.

Kylie BOW 1:

Absolutely. So. Annually we get to do our Kalispell ice fishing class. But this year we tried out something new in Helena. We tried an intermediate ice fishing class and really that was just an opportunity for people who'd taken the class and haven't invested in the equipment, but wanna keep trying it and wanna keep getting out there and meeting new people. So that was a fun opportunity that we had. It was just a group of us and we just went fishing for the morning. We've also started, uh, this year I was very excited to bring wild game soap making back and a local area biologist actually in the Helena area, taught me the skill and I was like, well, you have to share this with Bo. People are gonna love it. So I was very

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Wild game soap making. Now give us kind of the, a, a brief description of what that is.

Kylie BOW 1:

Yeah, so soap making is a, is a pretty easy skill, surprisingly, and it's something that you can do. You don't have to harvest game, but our take on it is when you do harvest game, just one more way for you to use the animal and all the parts is to, to harvest all of that fat tall. You render it down just like you would, um, livestock and that tallow is something that you could buy in the shelves you use it for cooking a lot of times. Well, if you add li and water to it and some pretty sense, you actually can make soap.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Py Dang. Now that, that I, I imagine is what they did back in the frontier days. That's, that's how they had soap. Wow. Cool. Uh, now I have heard that like beef towel that's been, uh, talked about now I, I see it on lots of different commercials and stuff on tv that, that's like supposed to be great for your skin.

Kylie BOW 1:

It is, it's very moisturizing and we like to mix it up a little bit and add coconut oil or some tallows and you can get a little softer soap that suds a little more, but the more. Livestock or game tallow that you're using. The softer it is on your hands, but still just as cleansing.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

I love it. Now, I'm gonna see the look on some guy's faces when, when, uh, gals that have gone to your program say, honey, uh, gimme the rest of that deer.'cause I'm gonna make us some soap and watch'em go. What? That's really cool. Uh, now does that take a long time to, to make, or is it a, is it a pretty simple process?

Kylie BOW 1:

The rendering process can take quite a while. That's a full

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Oh, okay.

Kylie BOW 1:

for a few pounds. Uh,'cause you gotta boil it down very slowly. You don't wanna burn it, but the actual soap making, so once you have the tallow, the actual soap making, you can do in an hour or two.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Wow.

Rigger BOW 1:

Geez,

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Geez. Who would've thought that is really cool. Um,

Rigger BOW 1:

now

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

the, the BO program, I, I mentioned just briefly when in the introduction here that that is, uh.

Rigger BOW 1:

uh,

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Also a national program started in at the University of Wisconsin, like 24 or 25 years ago. How long has it been going on here in Montana.

Kylie BOW 1:

Yeah, so it's actually been in Montana, um, 31 years. It, it started in 1994.

Rigger BOW 1:

Really?

Kylie BOW 1:

Yeah, so a few more

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Okay. I'll be danged. I had no idea. Um, and how long have you been involved in the program?

Kylie BOW 1:

This is my third year.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Third year as the coordinator. Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 1:

the program when I was invited to be a guest speaker in thir 2013, I believe. I had met one of the volunteers on a eco tour to Churchill, Manitoba, and she came back and talked to the coordinator and brought me in to talk about our trip.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Hmm. Wow. That's interesting. Um.

Rigger BOW 1:

as

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

far as, uh, the program in Montana, how has it evolved? Um, maybe give us an idea of the early days and, and where it's at now. Has it, has it always had all these different programs or of those kind of evolved into more programs in the year?

Kylie BOW 1:

So the original format that came outta Wisconsin and that Montana started with is the three day, what we now call our summer bow. It's a three day all inclusive camp where you take four classes, um, and then there's a bunch of evening activities, and that was your opportunity. Well, as we've learned, there's so many more people across the state that you can't reach in a single event. So, uh, programs around the nation started growing what we call beyond Bose, and those are the smaller workshops like the ice fishing or the wild game soap making that we just do a single topic for a few hours and that way we can go to more places, reach more people, um, in a way that's a little more accessible.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Um. so now we're, we're into a lot of different programs, but that summer one is still extremely popular. Now that one, uh, this year is, uh, in August, what is that? August, uh, eighth through the 10th. Right.

Kylie BOW 1:

That's right.

Rigger BOW 1:

Mm-hmm.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

And, uh, now has that filled up already? Uh, and if so, can, can gals get on a waiting list or tell us where you're at on that?

Kylie BOW 1:

Yeah, so we're still processing applications, but I do believe we already have a full set. However,

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 1:

accept wait list. So all you gotta do is, uh, on our website under BOW. Go ahead and click on that application link, fill it out, and if we have a spot for you, I'll be in contact and we'll, we'll get you there.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Okay. Yeah, I, I think Davis got a little behind, so, uh, you may see her on the waiting list. But, uh, anyway, hopefully, uh, she can get involved because she has just fallen in love with your program and, and rightly so. It's, it's. Just a wonderful deal. It really is. Uh, how about for the rest of this year, um, what are some of the programs that you guys have had, uh, going.

Kylie BOW 1:

Yeah, so we've got quite a few on our list this year, this coming weekend, August, excuse me, May 30th and 31st. We're doing a a flathead BOW, which is similar to the big bow where you choose classes, but it's only for a day, so they're super short. It's just a brief introduction. Then we've also got a backpacking workshop coming up the first weekend of June. We're getting that education or that, uh, introductory classes done this week. Um, and those are two classes we're really excited about, but sneak peak, um, not officially announced yet, but we're looking to add a fly fishing workshop and an archery workshop here before August and past

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Nice.

Kylie BOW 1:

We have not gotten to our planning yet.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Hmm. Wow. So, uh, fly fishing and archery. What do you do in the archery, uh, program? Is that, uh, just setting up targets in that? Um, tell us a bit about that.

Kylie BOW 1:

yeah, that's modeled with our, uh, na NASP program, national Archery in the Schools program. And yeah, that, that's all across the state. Um, and there's a, a safety and a learning, um. Criteria there that is really useful across all ages. So we'll go through the basics of what archery is, um, how to do it safely, how to set yourself up for success. And then we'll get into shooting and aiming and, um, if we still have time, we'll even get into some 3D targets. If.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

That has become so popular in Montana. Um, you know, it used to be that that bow hunting was maybe for more hunters that really kind of wanted to get back to the basics. Now, I, I would say it probably rivals the rifle hunting out there, or has it passed it? Do you know? In Montana?

Kylie BOW 1:

not keyed in on that, so I'm not really sure. But I

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Yeah.

Kylie BOW 1:

as a sport in general has become very popular.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

It really has, and everybody I talk to that, that gets into it, whether they, uh, had this kind of training or just went out with a friend, they, they tell me how addictive that is, that it's really something that, that you get. You know, hitting that target, knowing how to do it, and all that becomes this, this great challenge that people just really love doing. So I imagine that's gonna be a very popular one. And then of course, fly fishing, you know, that's huge in Montana.

Kylie BOW 1:

It is. That's the easy class to fill for sure. But we get a lot of requests for archery, so we're

Rigger BOW 1:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 1:

that to more places.

Rigger BOW 1:

And

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

then you'll probably add more, uh, programs as the year goes along then.

Kylie BOW 1:

Ideally, yeah, we will. Um, I need to, you know, my job is coordinating with the instructors, the volunteers who run the program really. So we'll start reaching out to them about August, September, October, here Before too long I.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Okay. Tell us about the instructors. Um, are, are they all women as well, or is it a mix of men and women?

Kylie BOW 1:

It's a mix of men and women. What, um, we found, there were actually some recent studies out of South Dakota and what they discovered is it's not the gender of the instructor, it's the attitude. And I think it's that supportive encouragement that we foster that really helps, um, some of our best instructors. It. It doesn't seem to matter what the gender is. They're all fabulous.

Rigger BOW 1:

Yeah.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Yeah. What, what kind of, uh, uh, backgrounds do they come from as far as qualifications in that

Kylie BOW 1:

It's a very wide range. So we have, um, who've worked with Search and Rescue who do our wilderness survival and our map encompass classes. Um, one of our fly fishing instructors is a retired fisheries biologist from Fish, wildlife and Parks. So it's a pretty wide range and some people are just, um. Really, uh, big advocates for either the program or their particular sport, and they've spent a lot of time honing that and want to share it.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

That mapping encompassing thing I wish they had when my girls were younger because they never seemed to get home quite on time. Used to say, did you lose your way or what, as I'm pacing the floor. But, uh, no, that, that's just wonderful. A as far as, um,

Rigger BOW 1:

What, what

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

what do you say to a woman that maybe has always wanted to get involved and, and learn about the outdoors, but they go, oh, I, I don't think I ought to get involved in this. I, I, I don't have any experience. I'm just gonna slow everybody down. What, what do you say to them?

Kylie BOW 1:

I'd say you're our target audience. This, this whole program is designed to introduce you at a very basic level so you know, we're, we're here to give you that very basic skillset so that you have the confidence to go out and learn more, or ask more questions, or even just purchase the equipment and start trying it more yourself.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Mm-hmm. Yeah. And what I like about these programs is, um.

Rigger BOW 1:

You

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

provide equipment for them to learn. So it really gives them an idea of to kind of dip their toe in the water a little bit, so to speak, and, and see if fly fishing is their thing or archery is their thing before they get too far along. Um, so yeah, those of you listening out there, don't, don't shy away from this. Uh, it's a lot of just beginners aren't there in your program.

Rigger BOW 1:

Well,

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

that's, that's what we want to, uh, that's what we wanna encourage and, uh, uh, take it from my daughter. She was not one that ever did outdoor stuff in that, and she is into it now. She loves it. So, uh, you, you guys are, uh, you guys are doing it the way, What kinda shape do they need to be in to, um, to get involved in, in the programs that you offer here?

Kylie BOW 1:

Generally, you don't have to be in any kind of shape.

Rigger BOW 1:

Really.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Okay.

Rigger BOW 1:

okay.

Kylie BOW 1:

Yeah, you know, some classes are specific. If we go to a more advanced level, we'll let you know in the advertisement, um, for this backpacking class, because do have to carry 40 pounds for five miles. We do ask for a base level there, um, but we're very clear about that. So in cases of classes where you need a base level, we'll, we'll be clear and we'll let you know. But for everything else, if, if we haven't been explicit, it's for everybody.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Okay. back to the instructors, how hard was it for you to find instructors out there?

Kylie BOW 1:

You

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Was that difficult?

Kylie BOW 1:

I was lucky. Um, I inherited some really incredible instructors, um, and for their part they've brought in a few more. It's always a challenge to find new people and it's something I'm constantly working on. I. Um, you know, FWP staff, it's easy to bug them because I'm like, Hey, we work together, you need to help. in terms of community members, um, and Eastern Montana, we've always struggled to get volunteers. Um, but I was, yeah, very lucky to have a good base when I started.

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

Well that's, that's half the battle right there. Um,

Rigger BOW 1:

are

Bow 1 - Mic 1:

you looking for more instructors? Is that something you're trying to add or, um, just in case some of our listeners out there say, Hey, I might want to do that.

Kylie BOW 1:

Absolutely. We're always interested in talking to people about new skills or just the same skills in new places. We'd definitely love to hear from people interested.

Rigger BOW 1:

Okay, good to know. Kylie, I want to mention something before we go on here about one of our sponsors, superior Hardwoods of Montana. You know, we cannot do this podcast if it weren't for companies like Superior Hardwoods of Montana. Just a great group of folks. And speaking of Superior Hardwoods of Montana, I have a little question for you.

Downrigger Dale:

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Rigger BOW 2:

So, back to the in instructors Kaylee, what, what would you say, uh, is it difficult to find these people that, that want to, you know, take the time to do this? Is it, has it been pretty easy for you? And number two to that question is, are you looking for more instructors?

Kylie BOW 2:

Yeah. You know, looking for instructors and finding new people to join the program has always been a challenge. I think there's a lot of people interested in recreating, but having the, the confidence and the interest to share that with others is always, is always difficult to foster. So we're absolutely looking for new instructors, especially in Eastern Montana.

Rigger BOW 2:

Oh, okay. As I understand it from Montana, there, there are women that can actually, from other states get involved in your program there in Montana. Have, have you had good participation from women outta state that, that say, Hey, I've always wanted to learn about stuff in Montana?

Kylie BOW 2:

Yeah, so there's like 38 states that have their own BOW program,

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

'em are in more demand than others. So we have a handful of participants who come from out of state, but not a big run of them.

Rigger BOW 2:

Okay,

Kylie BOW 2:

There's always a few though.

Rigger BOW 2:

and vice versa. Uh, can women from Montana get involved in those programs in those other 34 states if they have room? Obviously. I.

Kylie BOW 2:

Yeah, and you know, each state runs theirs just a little bit different in terms of setting priority for their most popular event. So you should definitely check with the state that you are interested in participating in. But a lot of. A lot of participants go to other states and they bounce around between a bunch of different bows because each state offers something a little bit different, and it's nice to get

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Well that's really a neat idea as far as, you know, if you wanna branch out a little and, and check out some more. But I mean, there's just so much to discover here in Montana, um, that I, I, I can't imagine that, that this program is ever gonna go away. If anything, it's, it, I would think it's just gonna keep getting bigger and bigger. Do you find it's getting more in demand, uh, here in Montana?

Kylie BOW 2:

I think there's a lot of demand for it. Um, we're definitely not able to accommodate every single person who applies for our classes, and part of that is because we keep them small so that we can tailor the experience and the hands-on learning to help better foster participants. Um, so I think there's always going to be a good demand for a program like this.

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm. I, I, I gotta agree. I, I just think this is going to be around a long, long time and do nothing but get, uh, bigger and better as it goes along. Um, Um, so. I. If people wanna get more information, you know, as, as, and I'm gonna have links and all that stuff in our, in our podcast description page. And I'll put some links up here on the screen for everybody too. But, um, where's the best place to get more information?'cause I imagine, you know, we're not gonna answer every single question in this podcast. There's gonna be things that come up. Where should they go?

Kylie BOW 2:

Absolutely they should check out Fish, wildlife and Parks website. So that's fwp.mt.gov. And in there we have an education portion, and from there you can find BOW. Uh, my contact information is there, but that's where all of our classes are announced. Initially, and a bulk of the information for each class goes into that website.

Rigger BOW 2:

And you know, if you get involved and, and let's say somebody says, boy, I went, for example, in the case of my daughter, I went to that, that birdwatching one, and it was phenomenal. Then they should just. Share that with other friends. If they think there's some other friends that wanna get involved, just have'em go to that website and that's gonna be their best bet to to do that. And do you, you sign up from that site as well? Is that correct?

Kylie BOW 2:

Yes, and don't let me forget to tell you that we do have an email list and every class that we post gets emailed out. If you sign up for our email list, you can find that on the website, but every class and all the registration information is on on that website.

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think I got myself on that website'cause I always get all your updates and all that stuff. And in fact, and that's how I got, uh, my daughter involved was um, I sent her a, a copy of the email and I said, Hey, you might just wanna think about this. And she goes, now that to me sounds, that sounds more interesting. No offense pop, but. Rather than you trying to, you know, push me in this direction or that, just getting with other ladies and learning about And she found that was a better way to, to enter in this whole idea of getting out and outdoors more. So it, uh. It's a good way to do it. And, you know, I, I, us men sometimes we tend to be a little pushy and not be, oh, you gotta do it this way, where it's a lot better for everyone just to discover it, you know? Um, when you talk to ladies after they've had, say their first or second experience, what are some of the comments that you get from them?

Kylie BOW 2:

You know, it's a wide range. Some women are taking these classes just to try something new. Um, and so they're like, well. was fun. I don't know if it's for me, um, but they're still glad that they came out, um, and met some new people. Some of'em may are making friends and trying other activities. Uh, and some of'em, you know, they fall in love with the programs. And I met, uh, an instructor out of, um, Kalispell, who hasn't typically worked with us, but came back in, uh, on a special request from the main instructor and she had taken his class. And, um, discovered she absolutely loved ice fishing and now she is busy every weekend ice fishing. So it's a wide range.

Rigger BOW 2:

Yeah. And, and that, that's a sport that I, I guess my daughters have never liked being cold. Who does? But it seems like ice fishing is really popular with women. Um, and they're really good at it. And that's the one thing I've noticed having all daughters that I've noticed women tend to listen better than men. Sorry guys, but I, I speak from experience. They do. They, they're great learners and when they, they find something they like, they really get into it. And what, why do you suppose that is that that ice fishing has become so appealing to them?

Kylie BOW 2:

You know, it's hard to say and it's different for everybody. Some

Rigger BOW 2:

Sure.

Kylie BOW 2:

that I personally like about ice fishing is it's fairly relaxing. Um,

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

you get in a, you get in a hole over some perch and you just get to hang out, uh, and reel up your fish. It can be very social activity as well. Uh, and with the right equipment, you don't have to be that gold. Um, and

Rigger BOW 2:

Right.

Kylie BOW 2:

ton of opportunities, uh, of locations in Montana to go you know, winter is long and it's

Rigger BOW 2:

Exactly.

Kylie BOW 2:

and getting out and getting a little sunshine, um, does wonders for the health.

Rigger BOW 2:

Yeah. Yeah. I've always said if you don't find a winter, um. You know, hobby of something to do and get out, uh, in Montana, you're up for a long winter. And so anytime you can find something, whether it's snow skiing or, or you know, like we were just talking about ice fishing or any of that, gotta try it. Um, I, I think you're gonna love it. So as far as, um. Women that have their first experience in these comments that you get, has there ever been, um, one of of these events, one of these bo events that surprised you either in a good way or bad way or whatever, uh, that you went, huh, I didn't think that would be a takeaway for this event.

Kylie BOW 2:

You know, I think we learn something every time we do a class. Um, even when I'm repeating wise fishing classes, it's a whole new group of people. So we're always learning something new. I think,

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

maybe that's the takeaway,

Rigger BOW 2:

Yeah.

Kylie BOW 2:

things to go a certain way.

Rigger BOW 2:

Well, and I, I suppose at times somebody tries something that you never even thought of. Having them do that, all of a sudden that becomes part of your curriculum in a way, I suppose, of, Hey, this person tried this. I didn't, had no idea to try it that way. Um. As far as things coming up, any interesting stuff in the works that maybe will be new for Bo down the road? Kylie. Before you answer that though, I wanna mention another one of our great sponsors who make this podcast possible. I can't thank Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer enough for all they've done for this podcast. They're kind of famous for making life a lot easier with all the different equipment that they have. Heck, they even have an idea for taxes. Here on the Montana Outdoor Podcast, we talk about doing fun stuff out here in Montana's great outdoors. Now we don't bring up work and we for sure don't talk about taxes. Well, that is until now. But hey, don't worry. I'm gonna talk about those things. In a good way. What do I mean by that? Well, my friends at Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer can help you put your tax refund into the perfect equipment that will get the job done way faster so you can get back outta here with us and do all the fun stuff in Montana's great outdoors. Now, how can that be? Well just talk to the gang at Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer and they'll show you their incredible line of new baseline equipment trailers and dump trailers. I'm here to tell you those are things that will for sure help you get the job done faster than you likely have ever thought possible. Now, let me give you an example. Baseline dump trailers have the absolute best combination of quality and functionality that will flat make those trailers the backbone of all your projects. See the baseline dump trailers at Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer Feature a multi-functional gate with a holdback system and board brackets to give you extra hauling capacity. And stability, and like I said, it's a dump trailer, so whether you're clearing debris, hauling gravel, or managing construction tasks, when you get to where you're going, you just turn it on, dump the load, and before you know it, you're heading to your favorite lake. River or stream, and that's just one example of how my friends at Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer can help you increase your productivity and make your workday go a whole lot smoother and faster. So go see your baseline dealers. Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer. They have inventory in stock right now for purchase, so go see'em today. That's Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer in Missoula, Montana at 56 80 Expressway. Or just give'em a call, 4 0 6 5 4 9 4 2. Four three, or you can go see their whole inventory online@rmtte.com. That's RM TT e.com. Do it today'cause hey, we miss you out here. It's time to come fishing.

Kylie BOW 2:

You know, we're always looking to add new classes. I think my focus right now is just getting more instructors on the ground. So even if they're teaching the same skills we offer, we can offer'em in new places. That's, that's my

Rigger BOW 2:

Ah, yeah, good idea. What would you say is your hope for the main takeaway that you hope women get out of this?

Kylie BOW 2:

Out of this podcast.

Rigger BOW 2:

No, I, well, out of this podcast or just out of, out of the bow program in general, if there was one hope that you had, what, what would you like women to take away from it?

Kylie BOW 2:

I, I think my main goal in coordinating this program is to give women confidence to know that they can go do these things

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

necessarily need someone holding their hand. If you wanna go with a partner or a friend, all the better. Um, but my main goal is to give them the tools to be able to do these things that if they want to continue doing them.

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. The, the outdoors is no longer just a male only deal. I mean, it, it's far from it. Uh, believe it or not, there was a time. Um, That there, in fact, there was a law in the books in Montana said women were not allowed to fish alone. Uh, and now look how far we've come. Uh, and that's because of women like you and, and others, uh, Kaylee, that have said, no, I we're gonna get out there and do this. And it really, uh. I, I have just seen such a, a big change in, in the way things, uh, go now. Uh, and that's a great thing because the more a family, uh, a couple, in fact, I just did a podcast, uh, not long ago with a couple that, uh, met their first date was going out fishing. And they now fish in tournaments together. They, they're, they're like some of the top fishermen in the, in the state, and it all started from that one date. And in fact, uh, she had never fished before in her life. And now typically she catches more fish than he does. But it, it was just so neat to see how they've used the outdoors as this way that that has really strengthened and, and kept the relationship always fun and fresh and, and getting out and doing things. Um, and I also had uh, the governor and First Lady on. They talked about the same thing of how much they do out in the, the great outdoors and how much that's a big stress reliever and all that. Um, and in today's world, you know, where we spend so much of our time in front of these screens and that, which I'm glad you folks are there right now, but, um, how is is that for what you've seen with the, the women that participate as far as that? The, the The outdoors being that big stress reliever.

Kylie BOW 2:

Yeah, I think it is. Is for everybody. I think, you know, medical professionals talk about, um, nature and outdoors and vitamin D, simple things like that,

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

a really big part of the Montana Way and to be an inclusive Montana need to help support people getting out, trying new activities and becoming participants in these activities. So. Even if you grew up in Montana, maybe you didn't have an opportunity to try fly fishing, maybe you were a hunting family. And so getting

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

new activities, learning a new skill is very good

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

for brain

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm. Yeah, it's, it, it really is. Uh, how about as far as like mother daughter do, do you see that happen in Bo? Do you see, uh. uh, mothers bring their, their daughters into Bowen. what is the age, uh, restriction there?

Kylie BOW 2:

Yeah, so BOW is for 18 and older, so we do have a

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

Um, but

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm.

Kylie BOW 2:

uh, uh, our programs bring in mother daughters. They bring in grandmother, granddaughter, they bring in sisters. Um, we had a school reunion one year at our summer bow where four friends from high school we met. Yeah. So

Rigger BOW 2:

Oh, that's great. Great idea. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. What a great way to, to, uh, reconnect, uh, you know,'cause the outdoors, that's one thing that connects all of us. Uh, what a great idea. I I love it. You know, this, this program has, has a lot to offer and I guess the, the reason that I like to get you on here is I, I just want everyone. to know about this because. You You know, as I said, speaking from my experience, I've always wanted my kids to. to Get out and get connected into the outdoors because it does change you and it changes you in an extremely positive way. So I, I really hope that's what people take away, uh, from the podcast when I get you on, uh, Kaylee, is I really want people to know that, that it is, uh, it is is something they, they should try and, and don't ever go, oh, I don't know if I'll like that. You won't know until you try it. Uh, and I, I think, do you see a lot of those new faces coming back once they get going in your programs?

Kylie BOW 2:

We see a handful of new faces either, uh, trying the same skill again because they aren't able to get the equipment or they just like the comradery. sometimes we get, um, similar faces trying lots of different skills'cause we do offer lots of classes.

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm.

Kylie BOW 2:

we do get a lot of new faces.

Rigger BOW 2:

Yeah. Uh, Um, how about cost? Uh, what is the typical cost of these programs? I'm sure obviously it, it varies depending on the length and the complexity of it. I know like for the summer bow where it's, you know, they're, they're there for three days, that's more, but talk a bit about cost and, and how you've, I I've just feel that the costs are very low for these. It It just seems like you guys do a great. job of holding it down.

Kylie BOW 2:

Yeah, we, we keep it low, uh, because these are for everybody and it is a state sponsored program. So our base rate, um, if all you're getting is instruction and loaned equipment is$15 for our classes. the more we tack onto the class or the more days or the more meals like the backpacking, it starts to go up from there. The backpacking iss running at$65 and then of course, our all inclusive weekend is, uh, between 250 and$350.

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm. Yeah, but still that's, that's really low I, and that's great. I, I, I love that. Now there is some possibilities for financial assistance, right.

Kylie BOW 2:

On the summer bow program there is because it is more expensive. Um, and we want people to feel like they can still come. So we do offer a hundred dollars scholarships.

Rigger BOW 2:

Mm-hmm. Um, Um, any, anything else that you'd like folks to know about your program uh, that you wanna share with our listeners while we got'em here?

Kylie BOW 2:

Yeah, I just think, you know, come give us a try. Um, the whole point of this program is to introduce you to new things without being cross prohibitive. So we're here, reach out by email, um, ask us questions, let us know what you wanna see on the landscape too. We're always looking for new, new activities to try.

Rigger BOW 2:

Yeah, Yeah, and I'm gonna put a link to, uh, to your email address as well. So folks will be able to just click on that and it'll populate the, all the stuff in their email program and, and out it go. j And just, Uh, you know, ask her whatever you want folks, and, and learn about this and, and see if it's right for you. And, you know, maybe pick one of the, uh, shorter, easier programs just to make sure it's, it's for you and, and go from there. But Don't, uh, don't, uh, knock it till You try it as they say. Um, I, I really hope that folks will get out there and do that. Um, give us that website and other things. again, just, just so our, our listeners, some of the podcast locations that people get that are, say audio only and that, and they don't include my description, so give that out one more time just in case.

Kylie BOW 2:

So on the Fish Wildlife and Parks website, that's fwp.mt.gov. there you'll find a link to education. And under education, you'll find becoming an outdoors woman.

Rigger BOW 2:

Okay. So give it give it a shot and give it a link and, um, be sure and share this podcast with your friends and all that'cause I, I, I, can feel it already. Some of you're gonna go, Oh, so, and so would love to do this. So be sure and share this podcast and, um, We'll have, uh. we'll have you on again and as it grows and you find new things and, and that let us know. And of course, always, if there's any info you need to get out that you would like us to share, let me know. I'm more than happy to include it in any podcast and remind people that there's either to get signed up or that. So. Thank you so much. I really do appreciate you coming on and spending so much time with me.

Kylie BOW 2:

Thank you for having me.

Manny Close:

Thanks for listening to the Montana Outdoor Podcast. It has been brought to you in part by Superior Hardwoods of Montana, home of the largest selection of in stock, high end wood products and flooring in the western United States. Let them guide you through theWoods@superior-hardwoods.com and by Rocky Mountain Truck and Trailer in Missoula, home of boss snowplows, cm, truck beds and diamond sea trailers. Just go to RMTT e.com for more information. So what did you think of today's podcast? Send your questions and comments to down rigger@montanaoutdoor.com. We should be dropping a new podcast this next Saturday. Until then, we will see you soon out in Montana's Great outdoors.

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Downrigger Dale

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