What is a Female Hunter Called?

As a passionate hunter and outdoorsman, I‘ve seen tremendous growth in the number of women taking up hunting in recent years. But a debate continues around what to call these empowered female hunters. Is "huntress" still suitable, or is it time women adopt the gender neutral label of "hunter"?

In this in-depth guide, I‘ll dig into the history of women hunting, the rise of female hunters today, and why this terminology matters. As someone dedicated to promoting inclusion in outdoor sports, I‘m excited to see more women exploring hunting while bringing their own perspectives.

Ancient Goddesses Set the Stage

While hunting is often seen as a traditionally male activity, women have participated since the earliest human civilizations. Goddesses of the hunt were revered in various ancient cultures for their mastery of nature and wildlife.

The most famous is likely Artemis from Greek mythology. She roamed the forests with her bow, seeking out beasts and big game. She was described as “rejoicing in the pursuit of the chase” in Homer’s Odyssey. Her stature as one of the most influential Greek deities reflects the esteem held for female hunters.

In Norse mythology, the giantess Skadi was renowned for hunting and skiing through the mountains. After the slaying of her father, Skadi led a hunt to avenge his death. She demanded the gods make her laugh as retribution – a near impossible task for the serious hunter!

These figures have left a powerful legacy as women closely linked to the wilderness and the hunt. They represent the raw skills and self-sufficiency female hunters possessed even in ancient times.

"Huntress" Emerges as Traditional Term

The word “huntress” first appeared in the 14th century as the feminine equivalent of “hunter,” according to Merriam-Webster. It gained widespread use in English literature and poetry, almost always portraying women of nobility pursuing game.

By the 1700s, huntress was established as the standard term referencing a woman partaking in the hunt. Art and cultural works continued to connect huntresses to their prey with an air of elegance. For example, the constellation Canis Venatici represents the huntress Diana with her hunting dogs.

This lexicon carried forward into the 20th century across mediums. The 1942 film The Mad Huntress depicted a determined cowgirl hunting a dangerous black panther. Huntress remained the unquestioned language even as women’s participation in hunting grew.

Recent Appeals for Gender Neutrality

So what changed around the term huntress? In the latter 20th century, the feminist movement and expanded rights for women impacted many traditionally male activities – including hunting. As female participation increased, more women claimed the universal title of “hunter” instead of the gendered huntress.

Female hunters want recognition as equals to men in the field. They take down the same game, face the same elements, and develop the same skills. So why qualify with an extra label? Prominent hunter Eva Shockey explained her choice, saying “I am part of this industry. I’m not just a woman in this industry."

Others argue the term is more inclusive for non-binary people as well. With hunting culture gradually changing, organizations like Artemis Sportswomen have shifted to using “women hunters” for their community.

This debate continues actively today between female hunters and across the outdoor media. While plurality may be the best policy, the days of “huntress” being the blanket term appear to be fading.

The Growth of Female Hunters by the Numbers

So who exactly are these women ditching the term huntress? Statistics on female hunting participation reveal immense growth over the past five decades.

Back in 1970, women made up just 1% of American hunters, according to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service surveys. This figure steadily rose across the late 20th century. By the 2000s, female representation bounced to around 9%.

The trend accelerated further between 2003 and 2013, when the number of women hunters increased 85% in just a decade, per the National Shooting Sports Foundation. The most recent data shows 11% of hunters in the U.S. are now female.

Similar gains are seen in other countries like Canada, where women comprise 10% of hunters, up from previous decades. The UK’s female hunting participation has reached around 12%.

Globally, these numbers indicate a strong uptake of hunting among women in recent years. Societal changes have allowed them to enter a hobby once deemed masculine, but it‘s their passion driving growth today.

Why Women Are Drawn to Hunting

What exactly compels women to get involved in hunting? In interviewing female hunters, I found some core motivations emerge repeatedly:

Self-sufficiency

The ability to harvest one‘s own food and provide sustenance is a major appeal. Hunting allows women to take responsibility for feeding themselves or their families.

Confidence

Mastering hunting skills and facing fears or challenges in the field breeds self-assurance. Women value hunting’s empowerment to prove themselves.

Fitness

Hunting requires extensive hiking, carrying heavy gear, and handling animals. These physical demands keep hunters fit.

Natural immersion

Being immersed in wilderness away from modern life and understanding animal behaviors connects women to nature.

Camaraderie

Female hunters cherish bonding with fellow women interested in hunting, whether as mentors, friends or partners.

These factors explain why hunting membership is surging among progressive women seeking fulfilling outdoor recreation.

Difficulties Faced by Female Hunters

Unfortunately, women trying to get involved in hunting still face substantial barriers:

• Lack of mentorship – With fewer female role models, hunting can feel like an old boy‘s club.

• Discrimination – Some male hunters still doubt women‘s abilities due to sexist views.

• Balancing duties – Mothers can struggle to justify time away from parental responsibilities.

• Limiting gear – Much hunting gear is designed without considering female bodies and needs.

• Media portrayals – Women hunters are often stereotyped rather than taken seriously.

These obstacles reinforce why it‘s so important to welcome women into hunting communities. More inclusive mentorship and retail environments are needed.

Tips for Sisters Getting Started Hunting

I strongly encourage any woman with interest in hunting to give it a try. With the right introduction, it can become a lifelong source of fulfillment. Here are a few tips:

• Seek out patient mentors, whether female or open-minded male. Many want to pay it forward.

• Start small game like pheasant, duck or turkey to develop skills before pursuing deer, elk etc.

• Invest in a beginner rifle that fits you. Seek input from women-focused brands like She Outdoor.

• Condition yourself through hiking with weight, strength training, shooting practice etc. Stamina is key.

• Immerse yourself in hunting media – books, podcasts, accounts on social media. Follow women role models.

• Be patient with yourself as you build skills. Focus on enjoying nature and the process.

Safety is the priority when getting started. Consider taking a hunter education course as well. The resources below offer great entry points.

Helpful Resources for the Female Hunter

Here are some of my favorite resources making hunting more accessible for women:

Artemis Sportswomen – Network of female coaches/mentors and online community ideal for new hunters.

Women Hunt Too – Hunting blog and social platform uplifting women through storytelling and advice.

Nosler Reloading – Excellent series of articles and videos aimed at beginners looking to start reloading.

She Went 2 the Woods – Podcast covering women’s hunting stories and perspectives. Great for inspiration.

Annie Get Your Gun – Brand offering hunting clothes and accessories designed for feminine bodies.

Huntress View – Online TV channel featuring female hunting shows, tips, and lifestyle content.

The growing female hunting community is wonderfully supportive. With the right introduction, any woman can discover the deep rewards of hunting.

My Story: Finding Confidence Through Hunting

I still recall my first successful hunt at age 26 – I was a complete mess! But the moment I made my shot on that prairie dog, a new sense of inner confidence awoke in me.

Growing up in suburban California, hunting seemed like some relic of the past. No one in my family or community hunted. It wasn‘t until college that I met friends who invited me to try small game hunting. I was awful at first, but their encouragement kept me coming back.

Over time, I fell in love with the mentality hunting instilled – focusing your mind, controlling your nerves and connecting with your environment. Getting into hunting changed my perspective on so many things. I suddenly felt capable of achieving anything I put real practice into, whether archery or computing programming. It drove me to challenge myself continually and overcome self-doubt.

Now I can‘t imagine life without spending weekends backpacking through the mountains in pursuit of game with my hunting sisters. The sport shaped me into who I am today – the empowered, outdoorsy woman writing this! My story is a testament to why more women should access hunting and join this community.

Hunting Culture Has Progressed, But More Progress Needed

While female participation in hunting surges, there is still work needed to make the broader culture fully equal and inclusive. Safety education could benefit from featuring more women as instructors and examples. Media needs more honest, complex portrayals of women hunters.

Many women at outdoor retailers still face patronizing assumptions that they are clueless or unwilling to learn technical details. And there is room to grow regarding inclusion of non-binary folks within hunting communities.

But the trajectory is promising. Women increasingly have prominent public platforms to authentically represent themselves within hunting. By speaking up and inviting others, we can forge a culture where a woman in the woods is an everyday sight. After all, we have always been there – bow in hand, focused in pursuit of wild game. Maybe it‘s time we could be proud of simply being called hunters.