Ladies Cohort - Lincoln

Join the Nebraska Ladies Hunting Cohort at 6:00 p.m. on the second Monday of every month to meet other ladies in the Lincoln and Omaha area who are also interested in hunting and shooting sports. Each month we learn a new skill while also building connections with the other women in the Cohort.

On April 8th at 6:00 p.m., we will be at the Turpin Outdoor Education Center learning about Turkey Hunting - Field Set-up. RSVP Here!

BOW Spotlight: Hanna Barnes

Growing up in the city I loved playing outside in the yard, camping with my family, and being involved in sports. I enjoyed the outdoors and had great respect for the environment and everything we share this planet with, but as I started getting older I fell away from a lot of those outdoor activities. I didn’t end up in the conservation field until I tried my hand at a variety of courses in college and finally took my first environmental class. After that, my career path was set and I started getting back into outdoor activities.

After flipping between environmental education and land management jobs, I settled in as a biologist with Northern Prairies Land Trust. In this position, I am able to work closely with the Nebraska Game and Parks to implement the Nebraska Natural Legacy Project. This is the state’s plan to conserve the plants, animals, and habitats of Nebraska for the future. Together with landowners, other organizations and the public, we work to increase populations of at-risk species and keep common species common. This means I have the opportunity to do everything from prescribed fire, tree thinning and noxious weed control to outreach, grant writing and wildlife surveys.

One of my favorite parts of the job is participating in prescribed fire. Prescribed fire is one of the best tools we can use to support our native species and habitats because these species evolved with fire for thousands of years. By working to put fire back on the landscape through prescribed burns, we are working to restore the native community and reduce invasive and weedy species that are vulnerable to fire. On the human side, prescribed fires reduce fuel loads for potential wildfires and can help protect property or lower the intensity of the wildfire when they do spread across the landscape.

While I don’t hunt or fish, I do enjoy sitting by the water as others try their luck. In my book, any excuse to get on or near the water is a good one.  I would say I am into hiking, but a hike with me turns into short walks frequently interrupted by looking at a moss patch, bird’s nest, or whatever happens to catch my eye. I also love sharing my passion for conservation and individual species. Finally, it’s important to me that people know they didn’t have to spend their childhood outside for them to get outside now. If you have an interest in the outdoors, there’s an activity for you! All you have to do is take the first step.

BOW Spotlight: Morgan Krause

Growing up in Lincoln with a single mom and step family later in life, I was exposed to a lot of different activities. The main ones that stuck, of course, were hunting and fishing. I have many fond memories of fishing the state lakes south of Lincoln with my grandpa, Stan.

My favorite starter memory was going to Olive Creek just outside of Lincoln with grandpa and other family. Before that day, I was afraid to touch fishing bait - worms, crickets, goldfish - you name it. Crickets were often my family's bait of choice. After watching Grandpa Stan hook crickets through the bodies, I finally mustered up the courage to grab a little bugger by the legs. Grandpa showed me (many times) how to hook it through the body to keep it alive and barely plop the line in the water. The gentle breeze caused the lake to have a few wakes, and only 5 minutes later I had a bite. We took many trips up and down the bank for Grandpa to take the fish off my hook. Funniest part of that day, I ventured down to the bottom of the jetty, lost my footing, and fell in the lake. My aunt still won’t let me live it down, as she had to strip me down so I wouldn’t stink up the car on the way home. I can proudly say I haven’t fallen in another lake since then.

The hunting part came later to me in life, starting with my first deer hunt when I was 15. Little by little, I couldn’t get enough of the outdoors. With a grandpa and uncle happy to teach anyone willing to learn, they both took me under their wings. They taught me public land has giant bucks and just as many squirrels and rabbits as any private property. I learned a .22lr is my most useful rifle, squirrels and rabbits are easy to clean when they're freshly harvested, and ethical hunting is the only way of hunting.

The outdoors is my peace, my sanctuary, and my home all wrapped up into beautiful memories. You don’t realize how fast life goes by when you’re constantly on the go and don’t have a chance to relish all life can truly offer in your backyard. I have fallen hostage to constantly learning new aspects of the wilderness.

Now just shy of 29 years old, I’ve expanded my horizons and started sharing my love of the outdoors with the world! BOW has been a blessing in doing this; there are truly some gems in this group of ladies! I went on my first pheasant hunt in October 2023, my first goose hunt in February 2024, and now looking forward to being an apprentice Hunter Education Instructor. The world is our oyster, so you might as well sink to the bottom and enjoy the views on your way down!

Stay Connected!

We're online! If you're interested in learning more each month about hiking, cooking, foraging, and more - connect with us! You don't have to wait for the 15th of every month to roll around... We supply resources daily at Becoming an Outdoors Woman - NE website, BOW Nebraska Facebook, She Goes Outdoors Podcast, and She Goes Outdoors Facebook. Follow us there for the latest information, events, and more!

See you next month!