By Brenda Valentine
First Lady of Hunting®
May 17, 2011

The Bakersfield, California NWTF Chapter has the largest "Women In The Outdoors" event in the nation. This year 600 outdoor gals attended the 2-day program of learning, fun and camaraderie at the famous Tejon Ranch. Additionally, there were 150 staff members, instructors and food preparers to insure everything ran smoothly.

Christie Blaylock is the hardworking chairman of this huge event. She deserves a grand salute for the perseverance and organizational skills it takes to pull off an event of this scale.

The scenery was spectacular! Campers, motor-homes, and tents were nestled under the ancient oaks up a long valley. Class areas were spread in all directions.

Women of all ages and social backgrounds reserve their spot early each year to attend this event. This is the 10th year for the program and it continues to grow each year.

I attended the Native American Skills class and found it very interesting and informative.

Lakes on the Tejon Ranch are renowned for their bass fishing opportunities. Yes, there was even a ladies bass tournament.

These ladies are learning plant identification and pounding a few varieties into a poultice.

Donna Leggett, NWTF VP of Development, studies the various class options. With 51 interesting choices, it was hard to decide.

There is something about being outside that sharpens the appetite but that was not a problem here. The food was both delicious and ample. Three of these huge grills were filled with chicken and other meats at lunch and dinner. I overheard the coffee master that he served over 1400 cups of coffee at breakfast. That is a lot of coffee!

Friends and fellow outdoorswomen Donna Leggett, Kristie Blaylock, myself, & Vickie Gardner.

This lovely lady in red won the award for being the oldest attendee. Her ancestors were some of the first homesteaders on what is now part of the Tejon Ranch. She was very entertaining with childhood stories and photos of a huge bear she shot in 1949 with a Winchester 30-30. At 87 years old, this lady is a fine example of a true woman of the outdoors.

Not all of the classes were held outdoors. These women are busy learning to build bird houses in one of the huge tents.

One highlight of this trip was reuniting with an old friend. Erma Myers came to my bowhunting school 10-years ago and has been attending WITO events ever since with her daughter, Shawn.

What is an outdoor event without a fine campfire?

This was my first trip to the Tejon Ranch but I sure hope it is not my last.

Read all of Brenda's Field Notes