Smiles, laughter, tears (of joy), comradery, knowledge and a batch of newly acquired hands-on outdoor skills and abilities. That is the participant takeaway from a series of Yow’s Hunting Camps supported, in part, by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
Candy Yow looks to inspire, motivate and empower participants by hosting multi-day hunting camps in central Oregon. She wants them to be safe and successful outdoors by training ethical, competent hunters to ensure the future of hunting. Activities include scouting, elk calling, tracking, orienteering, trapping, survival, archery, firearms safety and shooting, meat packing and preparation, conservation and much more.
“What an incredible feeling it is to bring together great instructors and students of all levels in so many demographics, all in God’s Country and let them blend, learn, share, laugh and even cry together,” said Yow. “When it is all over, you see what an incredible mix it was, hugs and sad goodbyes, at least until next year.”
Yow, an RMEF life member, began the program 12 years ago with women-only events but since expanded it to youth and some men. RMEF supplied grant funding in 2023 and 2024 as well as several volunteers who helped teach attendees, who attend from across the country.
“Thank you RMEF for all you do to help that happen. You gained so many new hunters this year and that makes our camps and your hard work successful. Thank you so much for all you do not just for the camps but for conservation for all of us hunters,” she said.
Yow plans to host six camps in 2025.
(Photo credit: Yow’s Hunting Camps)
