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Interview with Eve Greene, Director of Vermont Outdoorswoman
(VOW)
This will be running in Shooting
for Women magazine.
eevegreene@yahoo.com
http://www.voga.org/vermont_outdoors_woman.htm
Interview with Eve Greene,
Director of Vermont Outdoors Woman (VOW)
eevegreene@yahoo.com
http://www.voga.org/vermont_outdoors_woman.htm
What attracted you to the job as Director of Vermont
Outdoors Woman?
Doe Camp! And the Vermont Outdoors
Woman’s mission: to enhance the participation of women
in outdoors activities through hands on education. Doe
Camp is our annual summer getaway and skills development
weekend. The spirit of the women at the event and the
event itself; I've never seen anything like it. The
instructors were nothing less than exceptional. It made
me want dive in and immerse myself in that lifestyle,
which I did. Beyond that, there is purity in having
outdoorswoman skills. They bring me closer to the real
nature of life beyond shopping for groceries and paying
bills. I decided that if I could open that door for
other women perhaps I wouldn't feel so guilty spending
so much of my own time pursuing it.
You are a fan of shotgun
sports. What's your specialty?
I am what I would call a new
enthusiast. I shot my first shotgun only two years ago
and I love it. I'm shopping for a handgun that I'll use
for target fun and self protection.
It seems like you've gotten a job that really is in
alignment with your personal mission regarding the
environment. Can you talk a little bit about this?
A few short years ago, I actually wondered if I was the
only environmentalist that supported gun ownership, let
alone ate meat. Little did I know!
Many environmentalist models characterize mankind as
separate from nature. Either intentionally or
unintentionally, this implies a place can not be fully
natural unless it is vacated, even untouched by mankind.
That concerns me. Most of my adult life I've struggled
spiritually, intellectually and emotionally to come to
terms with the nature of myself and my species.
Experience tells me marginalizing a population such as
ourselves from direct contact with other life in its
natural habitat is a dangerous path indeed. We can not
simply remove ourselves from nature. We must live within
it like other species; that's our family.
What challenges have you faced as a woman in a group
that is dominated by men? How have you gotten around
these challenges?
I find that most outdoorsmen are more than willing to
help a lady any way they can. The challenge is fielding
off too much help from well meaning amateur instructors!
Perhaps the biggest challenge is convincing both my self
and other women that it's okay to be the only woman
around that many men. Our fears are mostly unconscious,
but they are there. Sure we have to get beyond the jokes
and innuendos and I can hold my own with that crowd when
I need to, but the guys have a lot to offer in terms of
firearms experience and sometimes even generational
wisdom.
You've gotten quite a number of donations and
sponsors from local gun shops and other outdoor stores.
What's your approach to getting sponsors to support VOW?
I think the key to fundraising is being honestly
passionate about the project that you want to raise
money for. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that
most want to help. Women are the fastest growing market
in the outdoors industry and let's face it - we like to
shop for what we want. We are exactly what they are
looking for.
One of VOW's most popular events is your "Doe
Camp." Of course when we think of "Deer
Camp" it's a bunch of beer guzzling male hunters
that comes to mind.
Actually I am extremely impressed by the intelligence
and thoughtfulness that many hunters – male and female
– put into managing wildlife and wildlife habitat.
That said, it's amazing the prevalence of stereotyping
of the Careless Trophy Hunter who doesn't care about
anything but shooting things and drinking beer. If you
went to visit a real deer camp while in progress (get
permission first) you are most likely to find those
hunters are alone in the woods and quite serious about
bringing home some venison. It's not as easy as most
people think to get that perfect deer, or a perfect
kill.
How is Doe Camp both similar and different than the
usual men's style events?
Doe Camp is a place where women can come to learn or
improve outdoors skills, in a ladies only,
non-competitive, and non-threatening environment. We’ve
got workshops for shooting skills, conservation,
turkey-calling, fly tying, game cooking and wilderness
survival. It's also a great place to make contacts with
professional instructors and guides who can help you
take that next step, not to mention new friends to do it
all with.
Women tend to want to learn how to do something before
they jump in and try it. Vermont Outdoors Woman wants
them to learn it right the first time. Of course, we
socialize and relax in the evenings too. And our
deer camp is held at a nice intimate resort, with hot
tubs, spa treatments and massages available, and three
meals a day cooked by someone else.
When women finally decide we have a right to spend some
quality time solely for ourselves, well, we want to do
it right.
Some of the courses you offer at Doe Camp include
Kayaking, Fishing, All-terrain Survival, Game Cooking,
Boat Trailering, Shooting Skills & Marksmanship,
Wild Edibles, and Turkey Hunting & Calling. Which
have you found are the most popular?
Surprise, surprise – but the shotgun course is always
packed. Our wild edibles walk is also very popular.
Fortunately we have so many to choose from, the class
sizes stay small. So sometimes it's hard to tell. They
are all well attended.
What special events and guests do you have planned
for your big summer Doe Camp in June, 2004?
Doe Camp 2005 is going to be held June 24-26. I'm always
looking for a charismatic story-teller and/or expert who
specializes in archetypal Huntress mythology or the
relationship between the Hunter and Hunted. If anyone
has any recommendations please let me know. We also
provide some focus on the realities of the outdoor
industry, the politics and economics of it all. Of
course there will be a campfire and impromptu music -
women are pretty good at making their own entertainment.
After a day outdoors, we have a lot to talk about. Last
year we had a fire walker lead us for a walk over hot
coals. That was an experience.
Your mission statement is: "To encourage and
enhance the participation of women of all ages and
abilities in outdoor activities through hands-on
education." What kinds of challenges do you observe
that women face in getting into outdoors and shooting
sports? What is your approach to getting them past those
issues?
Well, that's a loaded question. (Sorry had to put that
pun in somewhere) But it is time I think – or
lack thereof. We have to give ourselves the time and
opportunity …to live.
Doe Camp has this wonderful lack of pressure, which
really helps newcomers take that initial step to try
something new. For instance putting enthusiastic
shooters together with women who are frightened of
shooting, frightened of guns, or who’ve never
considered picking one up. I had shot a rifle once years
ago, and it hurt (for whatever reason) so I didn't want
to shoot a shotgun. I didn't fear guns, but I did fear
shooting anything other than a handgun. Why endure the
pain right? I'd rather go kayaking. But at my first Doe
Camp, when I heard the women at the range – they were
just out of view – whooping and yelling and having
such a ball. It sounded like they were having the best
time in the world. I didn't try shooting right away. It
took me a whole year to build up the gumption to try it.
That Annie Oakley karma is just too strong to resist.
For the next year's Doe Camp course selection, Shotgun
was the one class I was determined to take.
Part of VOW's mission is conservation of the natural
environment. What kind of work do you do as a group
toward this goal?
VOW is the women's division of the Vermont Outdoor Guide
Association (www.VOGA.org) so we are intricately linked
to an extensive database resource that is kept current.
Whatever side of environmentalism, stewardship or
habitat development you want to get involved with, VOGA
can help you find a group or contact near you. The
infrastructure is there.
You live in a super cool chalet house in Southern
Vermont that you are working on renovating.
Why thank you. I like it too.
What are the parts of the house that you like best?
[Eve - mention that architect who designed the house
just for cats and how you're doing that too)
The whole house is wonderful. It's my first house and I
feel very connected to it. I knew the moment I walked in
that it was my kind of place. It is partially log,
partially post and beam. The kitchen is downstairs and
right above it is the great-room with a big fireplace
and cathedral ceilings. Very social. I have so many
ideas it's hard to decide what to do first.
I'm planning to build pathways and bridges up above the
human spaces for my cats to travel and relax out of the
way. This house is just the kind of place to support a
design like that. The inspiration came from a book my
sister gave me: The Cats' House, by Bob Walker.
I've wanted to do something like that for a long time. I
know, I know, a single woman with cats. Sigh. I can't
help it, I love them and they keep the mice at bay.
What suggestions would you have for women who are new to
outdoors and shooting sports as to getting more
involved?
Find other women! We may be a fringe group – but we're
out there and our numbers are growing fast. If you're
near Vermont start with us, otherwise, most states have
a group something like us. Your State Fish &
Wildlife Department will help. There are some national
groups too like the National Wild Turkey Federation's
Women in the Outdoors program.
I would start by searching the internet or going to your
local hunting supply store or shooting range – be
brave. Tell them what you want to find. If you don't
feel comfortable going in by yourself, find a friend to
go with. Think of it as an adventure. You'll find there
are a lot of men and women who are fascinated by women
who shoot (don't be shocked if someone asks you out on a
date) but most of all, don't give up. In today's crazy
scheduled world it's hard to make the time to shoot
unless you really want to. So do it! It's a great way to
dump the stress of a long work day.
What was your parent's attitude about
guns when you were young? How are your beliefs the same
or different from them?
Rumors are Dad had a gun hidden away somewhere but I
never saw it. Forgive me for labeling, but I guess my
parents were survivalists and pacifists: an interesting
combination. Growing up, I never thought about weapons
that I might have or use – only weapons that
some crazy person might use to blow up the planet. I do
know we had a bow of all things, for home protection,
and that we kept it in our fall out shelter … just in
case (laughs).
But really, Dad discouraged us "girls/kids"
from even using a chainsaw because it was "too
dangerous." I guess guns were in that category too.
Needless to say, I hope this year's Doe Camp will have a
chainsaw safety course.
Turns out, I have my maternal Grandfather’s shotgun
hanging on my wall. A Winchester model 12, 12 gauge pump
which I rescued from my grandmother's attic before she
died.
What attracted you to shooting sports? Which do you
like best and why?
There are so many ways to answer this question: I like
face things head on. Perhaps I like shooting because I'm
good at it. But there are other reasons too.
Self protection is one. I never wanted to be that girl
in the movie that screamed and fell down when the time
came to survive. Or the one who is handed a gun and she
doesn't know how to use it. I also appreciate the
technology. The more time I spend outdoors the more I
realize that our technology has developed. This is why
our economy works. I like to be surprised by our
inventions and discoveries – and I want to try them.
The sport is an added bonus. But I'm not really
competitive yet. I want to be confident in my skills so
I work on my marksmanship. I hope to do some hunting
this year. I like the idea of being able to come home
with the food. I just hope someone else can cook it for
me sometimes.
What goals do you have in the area of marksmanship?
I laugh because we have talked about my
lack of goals. My mother has never understood my
non-goal oriented M.O. I go where my instincts take me.
I want to develop what I find myself good at. We are
God's creatures, whatever you prefer call God: Science,
Nature, Jesus, Dionysus, Goddess, et al. What does that
have to do with shooting? I believe we should take our
brains, bodies, and talents, and use them the way they
were intended to be used – to take our proper place
within our habitat. If that means in part being a
predator – which I am – well, I'd rather face the
kill factor directly.
Here's a goal: The human spirit is deeply dangerous and
wonderfully powerful. I want forgiveness for being
"warm and dangerous." I'm still trying to get
used to the dangerous part. I am not a victim type, and
it's hard to stay vulnerable when you carry a pistol in
your pocket! However, I do choose to be spiritually
vulnerable, and that is very important to me. I want to
be able to defend my self, my property, and my life. But
most of all I want my life to be worth defending.
Thanks for chatting with me. Is there anything you'd
like to add or share with our readers?
Over the last decade or so, there have been a lot of
resources and emotion invested in the development of
more wilderness areas. If you ask me, it comes down to
this: what do we define as wilderness and how can humans
live within its boundaries? Once we have more wilderness
areas we must also have human beings who make a living
at its fringes. Humans are a part of nature too, and
people can be good.
We outdoorswomen are a fringe culture indeed but one
that has always stirred up a lot of interest.
Some folks see us as a little bit more "wild"
than most. But that's the point isn't it. Wild-ness.
"Wild" is by no means synonymous with anarchy.
So stay safe. Be kind. And reap the rewards.
If you would like to attend Doe Camp or contact Vermont
Outdoors Woman for more information you can visit our
website: www.voga.org/vermont_outdoors_woman.htm
, call 1-800-425-8747, or e-mail: vow@voga.org
More Photos of Eve during our test of
the Pro-Aim Shooting
Glove (click the thumbnails)
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