Australian Women’s Shooter

Whether you’re a seasoned sports shooter and/or recreational hunter or maybe looking to become more involved but not sure how, this magazine is for you.

Focusing towards SSAA’s female members, Australian Women’s Shooter is a quarterly magazine that covers all things women’s shooting. Whether you’re a seasoned sports shooter and/or recreational hunter or maybe looking to become more involved but not sure how, this magazine is for you.

Australian Women’s Shooter features a regular column from three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Laetisha Scanlan and relevant practical pieces from experienced shooters. Along with expert knowledge and tips, AWS is filled with product reviews, profiles, stories and prizes especially for the ever-increasing number of females participating in shooting and hunting across the country.

Focusing towards SSAA’s female members, Australian Women’s Shooter is a quarterly magazine that covers all things women’s shooting. Whether you’re a seasoned sports shooter and/or recreational hunter or maybe looking to become more involved but not sure how, this magazine is for you.

Australian Women’s Shooter features a regular column from three-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Laetisha Scanlan and relevant practical pieces from experienced shooters. Along with expert knowledge and tips, AWS is filled with product reviews, profiles, stories and prizes especially for the ever-increasing number of females participating in shooting and hunting across the country.

Issue 22 – March 2024

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.

Issue 21 – December 2023

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.

Issue 20 – September 2023

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.

Issue 19 – June 2023

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.

Issue 18 – March 2023

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.

Issue 17 – December 2022

Laetisha Scanlan provides a personal insight to the year gone by and what lies ahead, including Aussie success at the World Championships and Shooting being reinstated into the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Gemma Dunn supports SMART goal-setting for your shooting to help track and achieve realistic goals, with a QR code to access an easy-to-use worksheet. Our fascinating tale of a cherished side-by-side shotgun traverses Europe to incorporate a baroness, a castle, hide and seek, happy hunting and a fond legacy. We look at canvas art as a stunning alternative for your hunting trophy. And there’s plenty of feral pigs out there to hunt, so follow our guide to get started and make a positive difference for our fragile ecosystems.

Issue 16 – September 2022

Laetisha Scanlan covers the technique where Trap shooters count the clays when competing. A loving mum discusses life after giving birth and how getting back to nature and the management of feral pests reinvigorated her. We hit the open road on a father and daughter trip like no other to remote Coober Pedy where exciting comps at SSAA ranges provide outstanding results and ever-lasting memories. Gemma Dunn delves into performance plateaus in shooting and offers guidance for this natural occurrence that can be overcome with practice and persistence. And we feature a long-time married couple who love nothing more than hunting and fishing together, which has proven a real treat when the adventure includes the whole family.

Issue 15 – June 2022

Laetisha Scanlan discusses her European tour with the Australian National shooting team, where she, Catherine Skinner and Penny Smith secured World Cup Gold in Lonato, Italy. Purchasing your rifle is no simple task, so we weigh up the pros and cons with centrefire versus rimfire. Ann Brummell has dedicated her life to sports shooting and we speak with her about being an inspiration to newcomers. In the field, the bond between hunters is special and a proud father reflects on treasured moments spent with his daughter, a keen hunter shares her recent experience procuring impressive stags in South Australia with a crew from ZeroTech and we review a helpful Allen rifle sling for hunting.