Indiana BOW

Indiana BOW (Becoming an Outdoors-Woman) is a three-day residential workshop operated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Outdoor Education Division. Held annually at Ross Camp in West Lafayette, Indiana, the program introduces women to firearms, archery, hunting, fishing, wilderness skills, and outdoor recreation.

The workshop includes: - Lodging: Barrack-style heated buildings with bunk beds, RV sites with hookups, or tent camping - All meals: Friday dinner through Sunday lunch prepared on-site - Instruction: Hands-on classes taught by experienced instructors - Equipment: Most classes provide all gear needed; bring your own if you prefer - Cost: $300 flat rate for the entire three-day experience

Participants choose classes across four sessions:

• •Friday Evening (6:15 PM–10:00 PM)
• •Firearms Safety (prerequisite for shooting classes)
• •Fish & Game Cleaning
• •Personal Safety
• •Wildlife Habitat & Tracking
• •Education Workshop Sampler

• •Saturday Morning (8:15 AM–11:45 AM)
• •Basic Archery
• •Basic Riflery & Handgun
• •Basic Shotgun
• •BOW Wilderness Survival
• •Fly Tying
• •Learn to Fish
• •Natural Gardening & Backyard Habitat
• •Orient Yourself Outdoors
• •Outdoor Cooking (+$10)

• •Saturday Afternoon (1:45 PM–5:15 PM)
• •Basic Archery
• •Basic Canoeing
• •Basic Map Reading and Watersheds
• •Basic Riflery & Handgun
• •Basic Shotgun
• •BOW Wilderness Survival
• •Fly Fishing
• •Learn to Fish with Lures
• •Leave No Trace - Outdoor Ethics
• •Muzzleloading
• •Trapping & Fur Craft (+$20)

• •Sunday Morning (8:15 AM–11:45 AM)
• •Crafting with Plants
• •Gun Care & Cleaning
• •Intro to Turkey Hunting
• •Knot Tying
• •Stream Monitoring
• •Trailer Handling
• •Wildflowers and Ethnobotany
• •Basic Archery

Basic Riflery & Handgun covers shooting positions for rifles and handguns at paper targets, dueling trees, and falling block targets with small caliber firearms. Prerequisite: Firearms Safety or current hunter education certificate.

Basic Shotgun focuses on shotgun technique with clay target shooting. Same prerequisite required.

Firearms Safety is an introduction to firearm types and safety fundamentals, including selecting and purchasing firearms. No live shooting—designed as the prerequisite for anyone without a hunter education certificate.

Gun Care & Cleaning teaches proper maintenance for shotguns, rifles, and handguns to ensure safety, effectiveness, longevity, and value.

Muzzleloading covers the history and operation of blackpowder firearms in period-authentic instruction. Participants shoot a variety of antique firearms. Prerequisite: Firearms Safety or hunter education certificate.

Basic Archery covers bow selection, arrows, and equipment with emphasis on hunting applications. Participants try various archery setups on the range.

• •Basic Canoeing: Paddling strokes, water safety, and boat handling on nearby lake (off-site)
• •Fly Fishing & Fly Tying: Casting techniques, knot-tying, tying common patterns
• •Learn to Fish: Introduction to fish biology and basic fishing skills
• •Wilderness Survival: 5 Cs of survivability—shelter, fire, water, rescue, food in field conditions
• •Map Reading: Topographic map navigation and watershed basics
• •Trailer Handling: Towing safety, backing techniques, maintenance for boats/ATVs/campers
• •Turkey Hunting: Regulations, equipment, behavior recognition, field prep
• •Outdoor Cooking: Multiple techniques for campsite and home cooking
• •Knot Tying: Practical outdoor knots for camping, boating, survival
• •Personal Safety: Women-focused self-defense for outdoor recreation

• •Address: Ross Camp, 9225 W. 75 S., West Lafayette, IN 47906

• •Check-in: Friday 3:00 PM (EST)
• •Departure: Sunday after lunch
• •Cancellation Deadline: March 31 (refunds minus $20 fee; no refunds after March 31)

Mattress (air or foam), bed linens or sleeping bag, pillow, towels, sturdy outdoor shoes, layered clothing for variable weather, rain jacket and pants, shower shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, flashlight, binoculars, and any personal firearms/archery equipment (will be inspected).

The workshop strongly recommends against buying equipment before attending—you'll make better choices after learning what fits and feels right in the classes.

Indiana BOW is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit underwritten by the Indiana Hunter Education Association and administered by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.