The Vermont Huntress
On behalf of Minnesota Flyway I want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Let's begin with where you were born and raised and when did you discover your passion for hunting and the outdoors?
TURNER
I was born in 1963 and raised in Colchester, Vermont - near Lake Champlain. As a native Vermonter, I spent a lot of time with my family, snowmobiling on both land & ice, boating, fishing and camping. What I remember mostly as a very young girl was awakening during early morning hours (deer season) by the voices of men, hearing the excitement in their voices and laughter. I remember bringing my feet to the floor and entering the hallway, rubbing my tired eyes to hear what the noise and laughter was all about. As I walked toward the kitchen, the smell of bacon cooking as my Mom was making breakfast for them. The coffee brewing to fill up my Dad’s thermos. My Dad was wearing red and black plaid wool clothing, my brothers, and cousins were there. I felt like I was missing out on something and wanted to get involved somehow. I knew my passion was hunting back then, but never was able to talk my Dad into letting me go out with him. He was afraid I’d get too cold and want to go home. So I wasn’t able to pursue it at that time. Sadly, I can only say that I’ve been out hunting with my Dad once that I remember. He brought me to his favorite hunting spot, a couple miles walk into the woods. I remember sitting there on the ground with him. He brought along a radio, playing it very low. So low that you can still hear the sounds of every noise surrounding the wooded area. I don’t have a story to tell about how I hunted with my Dad and how he taught me the skills of hunting, though he taught me the basics of hunting and that is to never give up. He used that spot for several years with success and sometime’s without success. That is what you call an avid hunter. My Dad died in 1996 as an avid hunter and fisherman. Growing up in a family of 3 brother’s who were all avid hunter’s, I became an independent huntress myself as an adult. The second discovery for the love of hunting came at a later age. Gone through a divorce and on my own with my 2 daughters, I soon found the peacefulness of the woods & water, my serenity and a place I could call my own. At first I was afraid to go out alone, so I had a friend show me the ways of the wilderness. I decided to get my hunting license and took hunter’s education and aced it with a score of 100. I had a great eye at sighting deer and other animals. A born natural and finally I was off on my own.
FLYWAY
You are known as the "Vermont Huntress". Tell us how you got that name and what would you like people to know about the "Vermont Huntress"?
TURNER
You can call me wildly insane for the outdoors. I think my friend’s and family can tell you that! Someone thought I should come up with a name for myself. So, Karen Turner became aka “Vermont Huntress”. A friend that I spent alot of time with soon introduced me to people as the “Vermont Huntress” after having spent hours in the woods as well as volunteering a lot of time toward fishing events for kids, and attending several sportsman’s events. In 2007, I took it to the next level, copywriting and making the Vermont Huntress, Sights On Her logo. I soon had hat’s out everywhere with my logo, giving them away. People would stop me and say “Hey! Aren’t you the Vermont Huntress”. I would laugh, but then enjoyed the rewards as a respectable huntress. In September of 2009, by a columnist at a sportsman show I was noticed among a camo clad crew, as one enthusiast that stood out as a female that represents the fastest growing constituency among an ever diminishing breed of outdoor enthusiasts, hunters. My main goal isn’t to sell anything, or to get on television. What I would like to express is what an avid huntress is all about. And since women are growing in the outdoors world, my goal is to help women in the outdoors and show them that they can go hunting without having a male figure. More women are entering the world of hunting and a lot of us don’t have extended families around. Weather it be divorced parents, or growing up without a male figure. In today’s world not all of us have the guidance of a man to show us the ropes. When I first wanted to learn how to get around the woods, I wouldn't let my friend four feet away from me. I went hiking in the woods a few times with him, I took hunter's education, and out in the woods I went. What I like most of all is teaching both women and children who want to hunt or fish, and giving them the experience when they don’t have the available resources to help themselves. I gladly teach wilderness techniques, fishing instruction, etc. I’ve worked really hard getting to know the wilderness and water and what it has to offer. To be fearless and know your game!
FLYWAY
Tell us about your very first hunt and your very first kill
TURNER
My very first hunt was on opening rifle whitetail deer season on public land. What an experience! It was still dark, and I said to myself “I can do this.” I had already picked a spot earlier that season, but ended up venturing in the woods because on opening day lots of hunter’s were seen. With no success that year, I did see at least 1 - 7 deer a day, nothing of shooting size though. I would stay out from dark to dusk. Sometimes I would head out of the woods for lunch, but at odd hours as I had learned deer can be more active because people spook them as they leave the woods. I learned this first hand from a guy I ran into. I jumped a big buck running like lightening in front of me. My first harvest was a whitetail buck, 180lb. 8 points. It stopped, dropped and rolled at 150 yards. Clean shot, that’s what you need.
FLYWAY
What would you say is your favorite animal to hunt and why?
TURNER
I have two favorites. One is turkey and the other is Whitetail Deer no doubt! They are beautiful, smart, and mysterious. They blend in well with the forest. They appear from nowhere and vanish just as quickly, as if you were seeing things. You must know what to look for, even a shadow of doubt can be a deer. Getting to know their habitat is important, but most of all you have to be a part of nature. Vermont has plentiful deer, but to get an antlered deer of any size is a big challenge here. I know guys that have been hunting for several years and haven’t seen or harvested one yet. I have been fortunate enough to bring home a deer almost every year. It puts food on my table, it is very lean and tasty, and it’s a fair chase for me!
FLYWAY
I know you enjoy fishing. What do you enjoy fishing for the most, and what is your biggest fish caught so far?
TURNER
What I enjoy about fishing the most is the quietness, the stillness, and how it can clear up my clouded thoughts and bring me tranquility. I like fishing for all species, including trout, perch, northern pike, landlocked salmon, walleye, lake trout, largemouth bass, etc. My favorite is Smallmouth Bass. I fish mostly with top water lure’s because I love to watch the bass jump out of the water and take the lure, and its fun action. I’m happy that I can fish on shore, no downriggers, no deep water and still catch pretty big fish. The biggest fish I have caught so far was a 8lb. Lake Trout on Lake Champlain. If you want to know the biggest fish I didn’t land for a bass, it might be a record? I will never know!
FLYWAY
You can go on a dream hunt with any 3 people, alive or deceased. Who will you be hunting with, where will you go, and what will you be hunting for?
TURNER
My Father (deceased), Michael Waddell, and Blake Shelton. We would be hunting Whitetail Deer in Maine in the big woods.
FLYWAY
There are people out there, a lot of them, that hate us because we hunt and fish. They label us as "killers" and call us every derogatory name in the book. How does that make you feel and what would you say to those people?
TURNER
It’s time to speak up! A lot of us feel we have to defend comments of such judgmental people, including p.e.t.a. “We are misjudged“, we are not murders. I would never kill a person, or a domestic animal. Fishing is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries as a means of providing food. I will not become a vegetarian, "that is my right!". We are not abusing fish. GOD ate fish. I believe in God. "that is my right too!". I can't tell you how far hunting goes back, but I do know I have a tremendous respect for all of life and its beauty. But it’s "my right to hunt". Hunting is regulated by state law. I follow the laws! That’s what gives me "my rights". Let’s unite here, and if we act now and be mature and responsible, we just might be heard a little louder. Let them cut us down, and we will stand stronger as a whole; a group that can make a difference.
FLYWAY
You are a woman who loves to hunt and fish. As well known and respected as you are in the hunting industry, how important do you feel it is to get more
TURNER
women involved in hunting and fishing, and in the outdoors in general? I have never stressed the issue to anyone, however, I make it a point to bring hunting and fishing up in a conversation with friends and people I meet. I’ve gotten wonderful responses from some and some others not so much!. I would say “you should try it sometime.” I‘ve also had a lot of women walk up to me and say “I want to learn how hunt or fish”. It is important that I introduced hunting & fishing to my two daughter’s. When my granddaughter is old enough, I will introduce it to her also. I'll let them decide for themselves and see if its something they will enjoy. People change over the years, and who knows? Maybe you can pass it on and teach a kid how to fish.
FLYWAY
Your favorite movie of all time is......
TURNER
I am definitely a romantic type. I would have to say “Pride & Prejudice” with Keira Knightley.
FLYWAY
For your birthday this year I will be inviting 3 of your favorite singers or bands to perform for you at your birthday party. Who will I be inviting?
TURNER
Blake Shelton , Miranda Lambert, and Shakira .
FLYWAY
Are you aware that Minnesota is the state of 10,000 lakes? You love fishing so it begs the question... What is stopping you from visiting our fine state and taking advantage of some of the greatest walleye, northern pike, muskie, and bass fishing known to mankind??
TURNER
As a single parent I don’t get away that much, and being near Lake Champlain I am fortunate to have all of those species mentioned above. Maybe I will have a chance to visit your state one day in the future for some extra fishing experiences.
FLYWAY
When I was a young boy I saw this brown fuzzy creature in the woods. I walked up to it, picked it up and started petting it. I thought it was a cat. It was a woodchuck. For some reason the thing let me walk right up to it and pick it up. It bit me in the palm of my right hand and I had to be rushed to the U of M
for rabies testing. I got lucky, no rabies! Have you ever had a strange or scary experience in the woods?
TURNER
I’d have to say one time when I was lost in the woods. I was going to hunt the edge of a field that day and didn‘t bring my GPS. I ended up venturing in the woods tracking a deer when I realized it was getting near dark and figured I could back track my boot prints from the snow, but I ended up in the same spot I started because of double tracks. I tried again and thank God I ran into a spot I recalled being at earlier. First thing I said to myself is “don’t panic” and “should I stay put.” NOT an option a girl really wants to take! I then heard a pack of coyote’s. Panic button came on! At that point I decided I wanted to find my way out. I was sure it was east but I wasn't 100% certain. I went east and got out of the woods into the field in about 12 minutes and was safe. Another lesson learned!
FLYWAY
What is your favorite meal?
TURNER
Chicken and Dumplings, tossed salad, biscuits and Strawberry shortcake.
FLYWAY
I have been trying to shoot my first coyote for some time now. It has not been easy and I find it quite baffling and frustrating considering we have a ton of them running around here. Did you really shoot your first coyote while turkey hunting at 12 yards? Tell me all about this, please!
TURNER
It was late 2010 turkey season and I was walking out of the woods from turkey hunting and came across a spot on the edge of a field where I always sit to rest from the walk. Frustrated from an unsuccessful day and no gobbles, I laid down my gear and took my coat and mask off. I decided to do some calling to see if they were in this area for the next mornings hunt. Not really paying attention and taking a drink of water, I looked up to find a coyote running right at me from across the field. I said to myself “could this be someone’s dog?” He didn’t stop and I grabbed my daughter’s 20 gauge I had used that day and took out my binoculars. It was a coyote! It was still running, then it went out of sight. The field had mounds and tall grass, so I didn’t know where it was going to end up. My heart was pounding. The only thing I could do was sit up let him see me. I was so nervous and shaking, I couldn’t hold the shotgun still. All of a sudden he was right in front of me, within 12 yds! He was down. I dragged it out to my jeep and was thanked by some people that lived in the area that said three coyote’s had been roaming around the area. One down!
FLYWAY
In closing I want to thank you for your time and ask you what the Vermont Huntress has going on or coming up in the near future?
TURNER
You never know what the future holds for me. I’ve turned down a few television offers and pro-staff positions, I’m just waiting for the right one to come along that fits my needs. Until then, I’ll see you out on the water and in the woods!
FLYWAY
How can visitors to this website find out more about the Vermont Huntress?
ROSSEN
Please visit me by searching Vermont Huntress on facebook or visit my website at www.vermonthuntress.com. The website will be updated soon!
Minnesota Flyway would like to thank Karen Turner for taking the time to answer our interview questions.
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