Leveling the Gun Range
History
Although the shotgun knows no gender, it might appear a little out of place in the petite hands of a woman. But what woman isn’t admired just as much for her grace as her grit? Maybe your eyes strike a bargain with what your brain, and possibly your experience, already knows. Behind her imagined primness actually lies a pert, competitive personality that is inarguably tough as let’s say, bullets. Out of place? Maybe. Hair-raising and oddly suitable. Yes.
There is a gentility and decorum to wing and clay shooting that many find entrancing. Those who hold true to the rules of form and precision are highly respected, including women. One can even say there is a pageantry to the sport when you factor in the proper attire and gleaming barrels. The great Queen Elizabeth herself was a champion sportswoman who retreated to the country to partake in the traditions of field sports and hunting. She was known for joining the Guns at Sandringham and Balmoral and participating in deerstalking.
“She’s but a simple country girl who loves the land and sacrifices herself to duty.” – Field and Stream, The Gun Dogs of Queen Elizabeth
But Queen Elizabeth was not the first female champion revered for her deadeye, sharpshooter skills. It was a brazen gunslinger by the name of Annie Oakley who charted a new course in the 1800s. According to the National Women’s History Museum, Annie traveled with her husband across the country and abroad during her lifetime, showing off her skills with a shotgun and outshooting most that challenged her. She became a star in a male-dominated sport. She is remembered as the legendary frontwoman for Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and an advocate for women.
“Any woman who does not thoroughly enjoy tramping across the country on a clear frosty morning with a good gun and a pair of dogs does not know how to enjoy life.” - Annie Oakley
Annie’s Legacy
As if taking a page from Annie’s biography, female clay and wing shooting groups are an emerging trend formed by 21st-century headstrong, adventure-seekers on a journey to grow their knowledge of and confidence in shooting techniques. Another common denominator and member claim to fame? Sass. Annie Oakley-style groups are being formed across the U.S. of enterprising women who, like Annie herself, share a passion for sport and the outdoors.
Some members acknowledge they have a history already rooted in shooting culture and hunting recreation. Even those that don’t, unsurprisingly find appreciation in the activity and enjoyment in the camaraderie. These “social clubs” create a sense of community and provide a unique opportunity for women to flourish in a supportive environment.
A New Club
Red Hills Annies of Thomasville, Georgia welcomes you to give it a try. Originally called GRITS (Girls Really Into Shooting), the female wing and clay shooting club was passion project led by founder Deborah McKown in 2017. “Its incredible to think back to what she started and witness the club where it is today. It’s a strong memorial to a strong woman.”
In 2022, GRITS rebranded and re-launched under the leadership of Bri Whigham, Heidi Davis, and Raina Cauley as The Red Hills Annies. The Red Hills Annie’s mission is to provide resources on gun safety, education, techniques and guidance, and last but not least, networking opportunities right here, in South Georgia and North Florida.
“For me, it's also about providing an introduction to a lifestyle,” says Bri Whigham, Real Estate Broker, Photographer, and one of the facilitators of the Red Hill Annies Chapter. Thomasville is the heart of the plantation belt where hunting recreation and stunning southern landscapes are celebrated. “Our community is built around that culture. Our Red Hills region was named for the vibrant, red clay that makes up our topography which is also rich with biodiversity and scenic beauty. This is where I was first introduced to shooting sports by my father as a way for us to spend time together. Now, it is something that I also do just for me as an outlet. I love exposing other women to it. And I love being outdoors. “
The Red Hills Annies, like their fellow Chapters, are helping level the gun range in an effort to advance women in the sport. They operate under a “everyone is welcome” policy. There are no membership dues or attendance requirements. There are also no skill requirements or age limitations, either.
Joint Effort
Bri also shares, “We are working towards developing meaningful collaborations and charity outreach. But for now, we want to maintain our momentum by setting our crosshairs on growing our members and quickly plugging them into the activity itself. Our diverse group of members range between the ages of 30 to 60 years old on a spectrum of uncertainty in how to carry a shotgun to expert markswoman. There are locals, a few commuters, and a few frequent visitors at each event.”
Although the focus is to grow, the group still aims to enhance awareness of their club through the support of good community causes like Ducks Unlimited, Clays for Strays, and Lives Without Limits. Red Hills Annie member Lisa Lowe also serves on the board of Lives Without Limits which is a charitable organization with a mission to support individuals with disabilities and provide them with outdoor recreation opportunities. Larger Annie groups across the U.S. have donated big numbers to national charities and organizations like The Trust for Public Land and SHARE Military Initiative. Lisa shares, “As a smaller group, we want to be able to contribute and make an impact in our own way, at a regional level.”
Lisa also referenced her exposure to wing shooting in the late 90s when she would join her husband during dove shoots on their hunting property in Boston, Georgia. Her experience and eventual proficiency in the sport led her to shoot alongside Randy Ryan. Following several busy years raising a family, Lisa notes that the Red Hill Annies offered her a chance to reconnect with a part of her past that she loved so much. "I enjoy gathering with a group of like-minded women in a space that doesn’t feel competitive. We are all out there just to have fun.”
Fellow member Raina Cauley, a certified Level One Instructor and former Clay Target Coach with Brookwood Schools in Thomasville, shares that she has always loved hunting and clay shooting with her family. Her passion for the activity and desire to share it with others, led her to pursue certification. “I am the ‘all things safety and procedure’ resource when it comes to our group. Safety is paramount. Clay shooting can be a pleasurable life-long sport if you approach it with a safety-first mindset and develop good habits from the start.” Raina also added, “This club is really a gift to us women. An opportunity to step outside of the box, expand our confidence, and familiarize ourselves with a lifestyle.”
What to Expect
Onboarding is simple. Reach out to one of the facilitators, Bri Whigham, via email at BriWhigham@gmail.com and let her know of your interest. She will quickly add you to the group’s marketing list and notify you of upcoming events and shoot dates.
Practice makes perfect and increases competency. The Red Hills Annies hold consistent meetings scheduled on the second Tuesday evening of each month except for July and August. “The southern heat and humidity are a bit much that time of year.” Each meeting kicks off with a safety talk and a round of introductions. You can expect to shoot for the first hour before transitioning into a social hour to mingle and make new friends.
Locations of monthly meetings vary. The Ranges of Oakfield, a pistol, rifle, shotgun, and archery range in Thomas County, is considered “home base”. However, the group enjoys rotating to local plantations as well as members’ homes or properties.
There are no dues, but members pay out of pocket per event for things like range fees and clay targets. And don’t forget a pair of safety goggles and ear protection which are required to participate. It is also recommended that you bring your own shotgun and shells. However, should you find yourself lacking in this department, experienced members of the group are excited to share theirs. We wouldn’t be talking about ladies of the South if we didn’t mention hospitality!
Safety & Etiquette
Range etiquette is not just about looking the part. It is about being considerate and keeping those around you safe.
Several gun safety sites recommend treating every firearm as if it is always loaded, as a universal rule. Even if you’ve double-checked the chamber, it’s best to continue handling it with the same regard you would a loaded weapon. Regardless of whether your weapon is loaded, you should always keep the muzzle pointed downrange. If you need to place the gun down on your bench, it should be unloaded and facing the targets. Once you are ready to start shooting, only direct the muzzle at items you intend to hit.
Those same sites also recommend being aware of your surroundings. You should pay attention to your actions and the actions of other shooters on the range. If someone calls for a cease-fire, you need to be able to hear it. Also, know your target and what’s beyond it. Even if your range has a reliable backstop in place, it’s good practice to gain a clear understanding of your surroundings, especially when shooting at outdoor targets.
Essentials
Member, Raina Cauley, also suggests taking the hunter safety course through the Department of Natural Resources site. “The short course removes some of the mystery around shooting and will help you familiarize yourself with safety techniques that are critically important.
Annies, don’t rush to get your gun. Explore several options first. “Our bodies are very different than men – our necks are longer; therefore the stock of a shotgun typically needs a higher rise. The height and length of the stock matter. And the more comfortable you are, the more likely you will consistently hit your target.”
Ready to pull the trigger on owning your own shotgun? Raina also recommends asking for a women’s cut or asking for a “Monte Carlo style stock” that is made for comfort and balance. Also, Garden and Gun Magazine has done some research for you. Take a look at their article. Shotguns for Women Shooters – Garden & Gun (gardenandgun.com)
Talk like an Annie
Know before you go. If you want to talk to like an Annie, we have provided a breakdown of some of the lingo you’ll hear at the range. If you want to walk like an Annie, well, that is up to you to bring the smoke.
#1 Bird/Clay Pigeon/Skeet: Also known as the clay pigeon, the “bird” is the target in skeet shooting, a small, circular clay disc that is flung into the air to be shot at. Its nickname comes from its bird-like flight path when it’s launched.
#2 Break: The term “break” refers to the successful act of hitting and fragmenting a clay target mid-air with a shotgun blast. A clean break indicates precise aim and timing and is the goal of every shot in skeet shooting.
#3 Pull: The term “pull” is used by the shooter to signal the trapper to release the clay pigeon. It’s an essential command that initiates the target’s flight and the ensuing shot.
#4 Clay: The “clay” or clay pigeon is the standard skeet shooting target made from a mixture of limestone and pitch. Skeet shooters aim to accurately shatter these eco-friendly discs to score points.
#5 Double: In skeet shooting, a “double” refers to two clay targets thrown simultaneously from the high and low houses, challenging the shooter to hit both targets in quick succession.
#6 Gauge: The gauge of a shotgun indicates the diameter of its barrel; common gauges in skeet shooting include 12, 20, 28, and .410, with smaller numbers indicating larger barrels. The choice of gauge can affect the difficulty and strategy of the sport.
#7 Over-under: An over-under is a type of break-action shotgun with two barrels stacked vertically. It is favored by many shooters for its balance and the ability to have two chokes for different shot spreads.
#8 Shell: The ‘shell’ is the ammunition used in skeet shooting, consisting of a plastic casing that holds the shot, gunpowder, and primer. It’s ejected from the shotgun after firing.
#8 Reload: To reload in skeet shooting involves refilling a shotgun’s chamber with ammunition after firing. This skill is crucial for shooting successive rounds swiftly and maintaining a smooth rhythm during a sequence of shots.
#9 Safety: “Safety” in skeet shooting refers to the mechanism on a shotgun that prevents accidental firing. All shooters need to engage the safety when not actively shooting to ensure the well-being of participants and bystanders.
#10 Sweep: “Sweep” refers to the movement pattern of the shooter’s gun as they track and shoot at the flying targets. It involves smoothly swinging the shotgun in a controlled arc, following the path of the target, and timing the shot so that the shotgun’s blast intercepts the moving clay.