Australian Women’s Shooter

In this edition of Australian Women’s Shooter, we delve into stories of growth, skill and camaraderie in the world of shooting sports. Read about Editor Rachael Oxborrow’s experience stepping into Practical Shooting and follow Jamie Heimann’s first hunt as she earns her Junior Firearms Permit. Columnist Laetisha Scanlan celebrates the diverse ways women engage in shooting – from Olympic moments to first-time adventures, as we also highlight Ashlea McCarthy’s inspiring two-decade journey, achieving records and friendships that define her shooting career. Plus, Suzy Balogh shares tips for introducing friends to the SSAA range, making their first experience both safe and enjoyable. Join us for a fresh look at the sport that connects us all!

Shooting is a part of life for millions of Australians. As both a competitor and a teacher, Laetisha Scanlan provides a lesson in regrouping when things don’t go to plan. Kath Heiman’s strong links to shooting, hunting and the military see her salute her family’s fascinating history and the firearms used in wartime. Adrianne Warren relishes her first deer rut, incorporating a week away camping and teaching her children firearm safety and other skills in the field. For many, shooting involvement comes through land management. Whether we own land or help someone with pest animal management, we make a significant contribution to the environment. Christie Pisani details just what that relationship looks like her for and the connection is one both parties truly value. Sharing the role shooting plays in our life takes on different forms. For SSAA Sunraysia Pistol Club in Mildura, Victoria, it was a ‘Ladies Day’ introducing beginners to the sport. These stories can also come via the conversations we have with friends, family and others and we discuss how these correlations can be made.

Join this issue’s ode to getting the best out of ourselves as shooters, trying something out of our comfort zone and a reminder to share our sport. For those of us who have been shooting for a long time it’s easy to become stagnant in our favourite disciplines or hunting habits, so Editor Rachael Oxborrow puts herself to the test by trying something new and, in the process, finds a love for open-sight shooting in the Lever Action Silhouette discipline. Suzy Balogh OAM gives us shotgun shooting hacks she has developed over decades of shooting and there’s some real gems in there that we could all benefit from trying out. Columnist Laetisha Scanlan takes a grass roots look at how our sport can thrive through inclusion to encourage and welcome new shooters to the fold. And Gemma McNabb gives us an insight into how her chance introduction to target shooting changed the course of her life. Her real-life sliding doors moment! We also look at the benefits hunting can bring to the table as we highlight Australia’s delicious game meats.

This issue has something for the hunter and the target shooter, and is an empowering read for everyone. Columnist Laetisha Scanlan highlights an issue close to her heart for International Women’s Day by focusing on gender equality in shooting and how this is changing. She is on the path to the Paris 2024 Olympics and discusses just how important it is to showcase competitive shooting so that younger females are encouraged to join our sport. Suzy Balogh OAM sings the praises of the huntress and delves into the science behind why females may have biological advantages in the field over their male counterparts. Editor Rachael Oxborrow reviews Zerofit thermal activewear for staying warm at the SSAA range or in the field. Montse Jaime breaks down knife sharpening and how to approach looking after your knives for hunting and home. Finally, Kath Heiman celebrates her newfound enjoyment of Springfield Armory’s M6 Scout Survival rifle with a tremendous roundup of the firearm.

Take better aim with Laetisha Scanlan as she reveals the simple improvements you can make to your footwear to give you an advantage. Suzy Balogh OAM shares her extensive knowledge as a world-class competitive shooter and coach to help develop consistency in your shooting, complete with advice from Olympians Catherine Skinner and Penny Smith. Editor Rachael Oxborrow tells her story of growing up and shooting with her family over the years and Kath Heiman and daughter Scout go D.I.Y when making the most of recycled goods to create their own range gear. In this edition we also go hunting with Adrianne Warren on her first fallow hunt to learn some valuable lessons and celebrate some great wins and a good shot under pressure.

In this milestone 20th issue, we examine the concept of success and how to notch up achievements as an individual. For Laetisha Scanlan, success isn’t linear and accepting that it looks different for every shooter is what makes you a better contender. Suzy Balogh touches on this and highlights advantages women have as competitive shooters. Kath Heiman and daughter Scout continue the family legacy of hunting and shooting by taking the plunge to gain their licence and minor’s permit amid much excitement while Montse Jaime’s review of the Bergara BA13TD in .308 as a hunting rifle might have you planning a purchase. Vegetarian but now game meat enthusiast Shauna Pickin’s love for turning rabbit and deer into meals for the table will inspire you for your next hunt.

In Part 3 of our AWS custom-built rifle with Beretta Australia, we wrap up the series with a goat and deer hunt under extreme conditions. Read how the Tikka .243 WIN performed and our conclusions on a hybrid range and hunting rifle. Testament to ‘mind over matter’, Commonwealth and Olympic Games gold medallist Suzy Balogh focuses on mental imagery as a tool towards better shooting and Laetisha Scanlan reflects on her fulfilling role as an ambassador for the Australian Institute of Sport Mental Fitness Program. And once you’ve decided to take that initial step to fully delve in to the world of shooting and hunting, what happens from there? We document the five-year journey of a ‘new’ member, whose confidence grew at every turn.

Gemma Dunn documents her whirlwind tour of Finland and Sako with Beretta Australia. This amazing country provided many eye-opening experiences, including seeing first-hand where rifles and ammo are made and what the future holds in that regard. But it was her very first moose hunt that stirred up the most emotion. From fear, to concern to elation and appreciation. There were a lot of tears and a lot of amazing memories. Furthermore, Laetisha Scanlan provides an insight into the importance of journaling your shooting, a loving father puts the ultimate plan in place for a milestone rifle combo for him and his daughter and we review the impressive Turkish-made Yildiz Pro shotgun with all the trimmings.