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#39 From sporting clays champion to bird dog maven, Anna V's journey exemplifies the transformative power of saying "yes" to unexpected opportunities in the outdoor world. Her story begins with a short-haired pointer in 2014 and quickly accelerates into a whirlwind adventure through competitive hunting tournaments, championship sporting clays, and eventually mastery of both pointing and flushing dogs.

What makes Anna's narrative particularly compelling is how she navigated these worlds as often the only woman in the field, balancing motherhood with competition while her young daughter tagged along with a box of John Deere tractors and her Ducks Unlimited seat. With disarming honesty, Anna recounts showing up to sporting clay courses in blaze orange vests while others sported custom Krieghoffs, and heading into Kansas CRP fields without understanding the necessity of GPS collars for her dogs.

The podcast reveals the incredible mentorship that shaped her journey, from shooting instructor Demas who recognized her competitive spirit to the legendary Smith family who welcomed her into the pointing dog world. Anna's achievements accumulated rapidly – becoming certified as a sporting clay instructor with a perfect score, traveling as the first Purdy Shotguns ambassador in the United States, representing CZ Shotguns, and eventually dominating the Bird Dog Challenge World Championship in 2021 by taking first through third places in flushing and first and third in pointing categories.

But beyond the trophies and accolades lies a more profound story of personal transformation. Anna shares how bird dogs helped her rediscover herself during a difficult life period, providing direction and purpose. When she eventually lost her entire social media platform – years of documented experiences and connections – she faced an identity crisis that ultimately led to a clearer mission: empowering women in wing shooting.

Today, Anna has built partnerships with prestigious institutions like Griffin and Howe, organizes women's hunting trips across the country and internationally, and continues sharing knowledge through her podcast. Perhaps most touching is how she's passing this legacy to her daughter, who became a state champion shooter at age 11 and exhibits the same passion for dogs and hunting.

Whether you're a seasoned bird dog handler or someone curious about entering the field, this conversation offers invaluable insights about the hunting community, the special bond between handlers and dogs, and how saying "yes" to new challenges can lead to extraordinary places. Connect with Anna's women's wing shooting community at AnnaVOutdoors.com or on Instagram at AnnaVOutdoors_.

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