Shoot Like a Girl !

Olivia Thoele, age 15 on her first waterfowl hunt 

I was quite honored to be selected the photographer for the 1st Annual DownRiver Outdoors Celebrity Youth Duck Hunt held today. Rest assured that there will be many more photos and tales to come from last nights wonderful dinner and festivities at our host The Hunt Club in Percy, IL as well of the great fun in the field  on the hunt today - but I just couldn't wait to share share my tale about a wonderful, articulate, self assured 15 year old girl I met last night.

Although she is an avid deer hunter this was Olivia's first waterfowl hunt. After learning she had been selected as one of the participants in the 1st Annual DownRiver Outdoors Celebrity Youth Duck Hunt - just a couple of short weeks ago - Olivia began practicing with some clay birds in order to get ready.

Olivia Thoele and her celebrity hunting partner for the day

Marc Miller

Director of Illinois Department of Natural Resources 

When we received the call from her guide that Olivia's first waterfowl shot fired dropped the bird as if she'd been doing it for years a cheer went up! First bird of the hunt to go down, first waterfowl hunt for Olivia, first shot out of the blind! What a morning of firsts for this attractive, articulate and wonderful young lady. Olivia drew Marc Miller, Director of Illinois Department of Natural Resources as her celebrity partner and Miller stated that just seeing her face light up and her smile explode when she dropped that duck has made this the best hunt of my life!

Olivia's proud father, Olivia, and Marc Miller 

I think it's safe to say - she's hooked on waterfowling for life!



Olivia was our only girl  participant - What a gal!

SHOOT LIKE A GIRL - IF YOU CAN!