Registration has opened for California Waterfowl's extraordinary suite of mentored women's hunts, including one new event for both women and men.

The 2018-19 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman lineup includes two events where participants can earn their hunter education certificates and go on a hunt the next day (one is co-ed), five mentored duck hunts (all experience levels welcome) and one all-experience-levels pheasant hunt. Loaner gear is available.

"These events are perfect for women who want to learn hunting skills in a supportive environment, enjoy incredible camaraderie and make hunting friends for life," said CWA Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Coordinator Sarahbeth Gonsalves.

"They're also a critical part of California Waterfowl's R3 efforts to Recruit, Retain and Reactivate hunters in California," she said.

Research shows that recruiting adult hunters is vital to the future of hunting, in no small part because adults have the freedom and income to invest in hunting immediately - no parental permission or support required. New adult hunters also educate their non-hunting peers about hunting and conservation, and often invite friends to join them.

But because many come from non-hunting families, they still need help and mentor networks, and CWA's R3 programs provide both.

While more events may be added in the future, events open for registration now include:

Novice Women's Pheasant Hunt Weekend - Sept. 29-30
Who it's for: Women who do not yet have their hunting license
Location: Bird's Landing Hunting Preserve and Sporting Clays
Includes: hunter education, shooting instruction, a pheasant hunt, meals, overnight lodging optional
Cost: $250 - click here to register

Novice Adult Pheasant Hunt Weekend - Oct. 6-7
Who it's for: Adults who do not yet have their hunting license
Location: Bird's Landing Hunting Preserve and Sporting Clays
Includes: hunter education, shooting instruction, a pheasant hunt, meals, overnight lodging optional
Cost: $250 - click here to register

Women's Pheasant Hunt - Oct. 13-14
Who it's for: all experience levels; women must already have their license
Location: Hastings Island Hunting Preserve
Includes: all-levels hunt, lunch, afternoon trap shoot, dinner and overnight lodging optional
Cost: $200 - click here to register

Novice Women's Duck Hunt - Nov. 2-4
Who it's for: women who've gone duck hunting five times or fewer (participants can attend two consecutive years)
Location: Casa de Patos (Upper Butte Basin)
Includes: shooting instruction; workshops on ID, calling, duck processing and cooking; a Sunday hunt at one of three prestigious duck clubs; lunch; lodging
Cost: $300 - general registration for new participants opens July 1 here - currently taking registration only from 2017 participants

SUISUN MARSH HUNTS (individuals may attend no more than one of the following two Suisun Marsh hunts)

Women's Waterfowl Hunt - Nov. 9-10
Who it's for: all experience levels; women must already have their hunting license
Location: Grizzly Ranch
Includes: dinner, overnight lodging, mentored hunt in the morning, lunch
Cost: $150 - click here to register

Women's Waterfowl Hunt - Jan. 4-5
Who it's for: all experience levels; women must already have their hunting license
Location: Denverton
Includes: dinner, overnight lodging, mentored hunt in the morning, lunch
Cost: $150 - click here to register

DELTA HUNTS (individuals may attend no more than one of the following two Delta hunts)

Women's Waterfowl Hunt - Dec. 21-22
Who it's for: all experience levels; women must already have their hunting license
Location: Staten Island
Includes: dinner, overnight lodging, mentored hunt in the morning, lunch and special holiday celebration
Cost: $150 - click here to register

Women's Waterfowl Hunt - Jan. 25-26
Who it's for: all experience levels; women must already have their hunting license
Location: Staten Island
Includes: dinner, overnight lodging, mentored hunt in the morning, lunch
Cost: $150 - click here to register

For further information, contact Sarahbeth Gonsalves at sgonsalves@calwaterfowl.org or 559-972-3441.