WHAT IS A MENTORED HUNT?

A mentored hunt is the opportunity for people with limited experience to get into the field and hunt alongside more experienced hunters. A mentored hunt is an avenue to becoming an independent hunter, and to ease the 'trial and error' aspect of learning a new skill. It is an immersive experience, and a real hunt in every way! TLF mentored waterfowl hunts are preceded by a hands-on training day on location, where we go through things such as what makes waterfowl 'tick'; how that translates to hunting approaches; blind and decoy setup; regulations and conservation; practical shotgunning skills complete with clay target practice; and dressing/preparation/cooking techniques. 

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IS A MENTORED HUNT THE SAME AS A GUIDED HUNT?

No, it is not. A guided hunt is an arrangement between an individual hunter or group and a (hopefully licensed) guide/outfitter service. A guide is an expert in the hunting of the target species, who does the  advanced preparation and planning. Guides are professionals who do everything they can to help clients meet their harvest goals. While guided hunts can be great learning experiences, the job of a guide or outfitter is less about teaching a client skills they can apply to other scenarios, and more about providing a fulfilling singular experience. 

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A mentored hunt, however, is primarily about learning and experience. The express purpose of a mentored hunt is knowledge and skill building, to the end of participants being able to lead their own hunts and be strong confident members of group hunts in time. TLF mentors are volunteers who are passionate about hunting and have the skills and experience to pass on to others. TLF is a not-for-profit group, and all funds go directly into the costs of equipment, maintenance, and supplies needed to support TLF programming. TLF members do go to a lot of work in advance of mentored hunts in the form of scouting and permissions to ensure that participants have a full experience, but hunt days are truly team experiences, with everyone on the same team come hunt day! 

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HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF TEAM LADY FOWLERS?

As of 2025 TLF is not looking to expand the team, but we are always interested in meeting people who may be good candidates. TLF team members are volunteers who have a passion for waterfowling, some level of experience, and -- most importantly -- a passion and knack for helping others become confident independent hunters. Time is a factor. In order to further team objectives, members must be able to commit to meetings, activities, and team roles and tasks. It is not a small commitment, especially during hunting season! If you have this drive to help others into the field and your personal schedule allows for the demands of team membership , please do reach out using the contact form! Historically, prospective members have joined us on a mentored hunt or other team activity and membership has developed organically. As of now there is no formal application process. 

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DO I HAVE TO HAVE A PAL (POSSESSION AND ACQUISITION LICENCE, aka gun licence) TO PARTICIPATE IN A TRAINING DAY OR MENTORED HUNT? 

No. You do not have to have your PAL to join in TLF activities. 

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DO I HAVE TO HAVE A HUNTER EDUCATION CERTIFICATE TO PARTICIPATE? 

Yes. You do need to have a Hunter Ed Certificate in order to participate in mentored hunts, or equivalent credentials granted as a Metis harvester or indigenous rights based hunter. 

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CAN I GET TLF TO PUT ON A TRAINING DAY OR MENTORED HUNT IN MY COMMUNITY?
Unfortunately the amount of participants we can accept into the Ladies Mentored Hunts is limited, and often we cannot accommodate everyone who has a desire to get out there with us. Or maybe our event dates just don't work for you. One of the common challenges for women trying to get into the field is that our schedules are extra-busy and often not very flexible. We get that! 

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TLF has the equipment and personnel to host training days or mentored hunts independent of our scheduled events, and we'd be happy to consider it. Training days -- where we cover everything involved in a hunt except the actual harvest of birds -- can happen any time of year. If you have a group who would like to learn about waterfowl and waterfowl hunting -- blind and decoy setup, bird ID, habitat, hunting techniques, shotgunning, etc -- please reach out and tell us more about your needs and we can discuss viability. We can work with individuals, groups, or clubs. Please include: Your location, the size of the group, when you'd like to host your event, and as many pertinent details as you can think of. The more advance notice we have for planning the more likely it is to happen! 

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Mentored hunts must fall within the waterfowl season (September 1 through freeze-up or the end of the year, whichever comes first!), and member time limitations are significant during hunting season. That said, if you would like to host a mentored experience for yourself or a small group of hunter(s) with TLF mentors, we may be able to work something out. Usually this would look like helping you learn more about a hunting ground open to you already, making use of TLF member expertise and equipment. If this sounds like you, please reach out and tell us more about your needs. 

 

DOES TLF ONLY MENTOR WOMEN? 

TLF was started in 2016 by three men who recognized the potential for better successes in new hunter programming if there were a crew of women mentoring other women. The concept was solid, and TLF as a team of women has been helping other women get into the field for almost a decade. But we're not exclusive! Though the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program and Ladies Mentored Hunts are specifically for women, we are not only open to, but have helped men, children, and families into the field as well. If you are seeking out waterfowling mentorship that goes beyond the women-mentoring-women model, please do reach out and we'll see how we can help. 

 

ARE THERE MEN AT TLF EVENTS? 

TLF is all about everyone getting the best waterfowling education they can get. While the core of our team is women, we are not going to overlook the positive influence and help of the males in our families and communities! If you attend a TLF event you may come into contact with one of our cherished male supporters who is there to help make your learning experience a good one. In past events you may have come into contact with Kerry or Corey -- founding TLF members who have decades of experience with hunting and shooting. Currently it might be Gary or Chris, who are the spouses of TLF members and invaluable contributors as trap setters, scouts, spread setters, shooting coaches, and hunt-day mentors. 

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