POULTNEY—Four years ago, Detroit native Kristen Schmitt was working as a legal marketing specialist in a busy Michigan law firm. At the time, she never could have imagined the dramatic lifestyle change that was in store. But a conscious decision to re-evaluate priorities led her and her family to Wells, Vt., where they could spend more time together away from hectic city life.
Her decision to pursue archery and bow hunting came shortly after the move, and after talking with numerous women already involved with the sport. Inspired by their confidence, Schmitt picked up a bow for the first time a year ago and hasn’t looked back.
Last year, Schmitt teamed up with Deer & Deer Hunting Magazine to chronicle her journey from novice to her first hunt in the blog, “City Roots to Hunting Boots,” which debuted in March, 2014. The blog tracked Schmitt’s progress as she learned everything from how to handle her 2014 Hoyt Ignite Compound Bow to tree stand safety considerations and scent control.
Now she has partnered with F+W (a content + e-commerce company) to produce the DVD “Beginner’s Guide to Archery: For Women,” distributed through Deer and Deer Hunting Magazine.
The DVD is a how-to guide with tips on proper dress, safety, and handling a bow. Schmitt’s interest is not purely from the view of a sportswoman—she hopes her own journey will inspire other women to consider hunting as a means of procuring nutritious meat.
“I’ve always been interested in the link between wild and local food, and nutritional aspects of game. Deer hunting has always been a part of the cultural fabric of Vermont and women can be a part of that,” she said.
Schmitt is a student in Green Mountain College’s masters program of sustainable food systems, and the video project grew out of her capstone project. Her husband Jason Schmitt, a professor of communication studies at GMC, GMC student Russell Stone, and GMC staff member Eric Hudiburg assisted with the filming and production.
