A first-time hunter. A life turned upside down. And a program that gave Andrea Bouwman the confidence, community, and conservation knowledge she never knew she needed.

If you have ever wondered whether hunting is for you - or if you need more confidence, more skills, or just a place to start - this conversation is for you. Andrea sits down with host Dana Dykema to share how she went from zero hunting and gun experience to being selected for the Women Hunt program, traveling to FTW Ranch in Texas, and stepping into a world of rifles, field dressing, tracking, butchering, and conservation education. Dana and Andrea dig into the moments that changed everything: the Sheep Show booth that first caught Andrea’s attention, the application process that felt intimidating at first, and the instant bond she found with other women from across the U.S. and Canada. You’ll hear how the Field to Fork course accelerated her learning, built real confidence, and turned “I don’t know if I can do this” into “I can be an asset.” Andrea also shares the deeper story behind the episode - navigating her husband’s serious illness while raising three daughters, leaning on faith, and discovering how the Women Hunt community became a lifeline during one of the hardest seasons of her life. She opens up about what it means to grieve what hunting used to look like, while still making room for new possibilities with her family. 

This episode is about far more than hunting. It is about resilience, confidence, community, and finding strength in the middle of uncertainty. Essential listening if you love stories about women in the outdoors, new hunters, conservation, and the unexpected ways the right people show up at the right time.

Andrea and her middle daughter have a joyful expectation to participate in this year's Mama Bear Field Camp with Emily Richett in December 2026. 

Tags: Women Hunt, Hunting