The wife scheduled her PAL! I got a bonus too.

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:15 am

I mentioned to my wife that she should consider taking her PAL course due to how many guns come and go out of our home every week, mostly daily. I pointed out that it would make things safer with the kids (things are already very, very safe) and she could also bring our son to the range without my help (she is a member too). I have to admit that part of my intentions was that it would open up a whole new avenue of gift giving if she had a PAL as well as me being able to add ammunition to her daily shopping lists

.
I was in a local gun shop and noticed one of our best local instructors was doing an all female class, so I called up Bert and booked her for the weekend. Well, I got a call back from the instructor to see if I wanted to assist in the ongoing of that class! Being able to stand beside Bert in one of his classes will be an Honor, being able to do it in the class my wife is taking is just way too cool!
I ran the idea past my wife to get her opinion, her response was "how could I possibly deprive you of a room full of women and guns?"

I love her dearly.
She also booked her hunting course for April too, she is very interested in bow hunting and could really doest care much for guns, although she is already very proficient with them.
So, if any gals are interested in doing their PAL this month better sign up soon this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, mostly because I know they wont let me do it twice!

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 11:25 am

AWESOME NEWS!!!

Another good reason for your wife to have her PAL is if, God forbid, something should happen to you, your guns could stay in the family until your kids are old enough to officially own them.

My husband is the "designated owner" of a friend's guns should he pass away. We would keep the guns in trust until his boys are ready to take them. If his wife had her PAL it wouldn't be necessary.

No one else in either of our families really hunts, so we've also agreed that if something should happen to both my husband and myself this same friend would keep our guns for our son. He would also make sure that our boy has the opportunity to enjoy hunting if we're gone.

Not something we like to think about, but it's good to have back-up plans in place!

Normous · Post by **Normous** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 12:10 pm

Two in our house as well. Great idea for both of you to have it.

Patti once got me a Remington 1187 12 gauge, A special turkey camo edition for my birthday. The first time to the trap range I shot a perfect 25/25 with a full choke and the 21" camo barrel. I was shooting at an Italian Trap range and they all looked at me kinda stange with their expensive Trap Guns and me with that camo 21" barrel. After the perfect 25 score I heard a round of applause and one guy said "Youa Shooda Gooda witha the Shorda Barrel"

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 3:45 pm

Good point Vix, never really looked at it like that. I suppose because it didn't fit in to my "I am going to live forever" attitude. It would be comforting to know there is a line of trust/reliance somewhere..

Norm, I have no doubt you two have it all together, what kind of wife buys her better half a gun?

The best part is that she knew exactly what it was you wanted or needed.

SHOREhunter18 · Post by **SHOREhunter18** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:33 pm

thats good that its an all girl class, the one girl in my class felt prety intimidated and didnt ask the questions she wanted too, she failed but took it again with all girls and passed no problem, i got a questions though, im about to send my first PAL away to get processed and i was wondering if i could use one of my parents for the reference? (im 17)
thanks,

SHORE

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 4:54 pm

An all-girls group can really be a lot less intimidating, for sure! As women we often assume we know less in the area of hunting and firearms. We feel awkward around all you guys and tend to hang back rather than risk looking stupid. Most of us don't get the chance to learn about them the same way guys do.

A really fun way to give women a chance to play with the toys and decide if it's something they'd like to do, is to send them to an all-women's outdoor weekend.

I have to put in a plug here for OFAH's WOW (Women Outdoors Weekend). It's a really good time! Check out the photo gallery at this link:
http://www.ofah.org/wow/

No cooking. No cleaning. No being girlfriend or wife or mother or chauffeur or daughter or whatever else. Just a bunch of women trying orienteering, ropes, wilderness survival, fishing, fire starting, hunting, target shooting, archery, ATVing, canoeing, game calling, and more...

Women get to choose from the various clinics to attend - or they can just hang out, relax and do nothing all weekend - although I doubt they'd settle for that. The enthusiasm on these weekends is contagious.

Best of all, they're surrounded by other like-minded women. There are women of all ages - from teens to retirees, even some mother & daughter pairs. Send your wife or girfriend or daughter. I doubt you'll regret it!

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 5:04 pm

Just wanted to add one more thing, (I hear all you guys groaning!

)

When I took my class here in Ontario, I noticed that the guys were all over the guns at every opportunity, the the women held back and didn't touch them until they were handed them.

So if you're ever in a mixed group going through the course, the women will probably appreciate if you take the time to give them extra hands-on experience with the firearms - just showing them various models, actions, what they all have in common, what makes each unique. Women might be shy about that sort of thing at first, but with a bit of coaxing and the chance to figure stuff out without feeling like they're being made examples of for the rest of the class, they'll "get it". They'll appreciate the low-key, discreet instuction and the learning opportunity!

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 6:51 pm

There were 2 ladies in the class when I did my hunting course, looking back I think they were treated just like everyone else in the class, I can't see the instructor doing anything less. I suppose there would be a level of discomfort to some degree anyways. This ladies only class may just prove to be a great idea.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:43 pm

I'm not saying that women are treated differently in mixed classes. I'm sure they're usually not. But maybe they would benefit from it! What works for a room full of guys doesn't necessarily work for the girls - especially when it's a mixed group.

I haven't yet met a woman who didn't feel awkward taking the course in a mixed group. When I took it here in Ontario the other women were grateful for the 2 young guys who spent time with them during the break explaining the guns in practical terms and walking them through the actions, etc. There were a couple of other older guys who were rude know-it-alls who obviously didn't think much of women taking the course. It was hard to be in the class with them. I felt bad for the other women and the instructor!

awshucks · Post by **awshucks** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:55 pm

VixChix wrote:I'm not saying that women are treated differently in mixed classes. I'm sure they're usually not. But maybe they would benefit from it! What works for a room full of guys doesn't necessarily work for the girls - especially when it's a mixed group.

I haven't yet met a woman who didn't feel awkward taking the course in a mixed group. When I took it here in Ontario the other women were grateful for the 2 young guys who spent time with them during the break explaining the guns in practical terms and walking them through the actions, etc. There were a couple of other older guys who were rude know-it-alls who obviously didn't think much of women taking the course. It was hard to be in the class with them. I felt bad for the other women and the instructor!

Good tips, for sure!! W/ all the women entering the hunting/shooting sports, it's great to get a gal's perspective on things. We need to make y'all feel as welcome and comfortable as possible!!!

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:18 pm

I know the course is going to be presented differently because of the ladies only angle. I also know the instructor is even going as far to have flowers on each table.
Unfortunately I think this is why I was chosen to assist, when I was approached I made it very clear I have no experience with the gun safety course seeing how I never took it, and certainly have no qualifications as far as the governing powers are concerned either.
When he asked he kind of stuttered and said "I am looking for someone who is, uh, uh.." I interrupted with "devastatingly handsome with rugged good looks??" He just laughed and said he was thinking more along the lines of presentable. I can do that for a day, two may be pushing it.
I am looking forward to a couple fun days! I think if this is done right by the instructor word would get around quick and ladies only courses will become a very normal thing.

TPM · Post by **TPM** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:23 pm

when I was approached I made it very clear I have no experience with the gun safety course seeing how I never took it

How did you manage to get around not taking the safety course????

awshucks · Post by **awshucks** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:27 pm

TPM wrote:
when I was approached I made it very clear I have no experience with the gun safety course seeing how I never took it
How did you manage to get around not taking the safety course????

"devastatingly handsome with rugged good looks??"

My apologies, lol, just could not pass this one up!!!

Pydpiper · Post by **Pydpiper** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:29 pm

Nice Dan..

The course is not mandatory for the PAL, you can challenge the test without the class. This is not true for the hunting class, the course is mandatory. Not logical by any means, but the way it went together for me.

VixChix · Post by **VixChix** » Mon Mar 10, 2008 10:18 pm

I don't know if I should post this here, but at the WOW weekends the few male instructors get a lot of attention!

Sometimes in the evenings when the wine has been out for a while it gets a little um, .... interesting!