Ladies of all ages, this one's for you. But it's especially for those that may want to consider Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW).

If you weren't aware, that's a for real national organization that helps in doing just that.

In fact, BOW has both in-state (WVDNR) and conservation organization affiliates like the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to hook up with. So there's plenty of help out there whether or not there's an available male friend or family member.

With a modern day mom, hunter and angler now in the midst of an exciting national election cycle, what better time to kick start some interest? The photos of VP candidate Sarah Palin along with the caribou, salmon and other stuff she's bagged are all over the internet.

The varying outdoor channels also have some excellent examples of modern day gals enjoying their outdoor jaunts as much or more as the guys do. There's the trademarked "first lady of hunting" in Brenda Valentine. The bowhunters have their trophy whitetail and "Gettin' Close" co-host in Tiffany Lakosky. The "Archers Choice" program features Vickie Cianciarulo.

And no you don't have to be a TV celebrity or monster buck bagger to participate.

BOW offers a wide range of help beyond just hunting and fishing. Maybe it's camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, birding or whatever that's more up your alley.

Even a professional career in some outdoor endeavor may be the ticket.

The soft spoken but eloquent Rachel Carson is perhaps the greatest career conservationist of the Twentieth Century.

Her seminal but poignant efforts and famous book titled "Silent Spring" on the dread of hard pesticides ultimately resulted in the rescue of the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey and a host of other birds.

The pesticides eggshell thinning effects on these top of the food chain birds of prey were telltale warnings much like the canaries in the coal mines.

The dire effects on birds would soon be turning up in the human species if something weren't done.

With each environmental victory come new challenges for new minds to solve.

From pesticides in the days of Rachel Carson, there are today's versions that range from the reductions in greenhouse gases to windmill fatalities of bats and songbirds.

For more information on programs for women in the outdoors, run some simple computer word searches on BOW, WVDNR, NWTF or any of the outdoor gals mentioned.

If you'd like to talk to someone, call the WVDNR at 558-2771 and ask for a BOW contact.

Fortunately for most of us living here in the Mountain State, gettin' in the outdoor game is as easy as it was for Sarah Palin in Alaska. You do it by just steppin' outside.