She had never handled a long gun, never expected to be selected, and never imagined hunting would become part of her life. Then Ellie Henley applied to the Women Hunt Field to Fork scholarship program—and everything changed. Ellie is a wife and mom living in Maryland where she works as an American Sign Language interpreter. Dana and Ellie talk about her unexpected journey into hunting and how it was Ellie’s husband, an avid hunter, who encouraged her to apply for the program. She never imagined she would actually be chosen! When the acceptance call finally came, she was surprised, nervous, and unsure whether she was truly ready for the experience. Ellie opens up about what it felt like to arrive at the ranch without any previous rifle experience, meet a group of women who were all learning together, and begin building confidence in the field. From her first intimidating moments with a firearm to learning how to shoot from different positions, work with a guide, process wild game, and make ethical decisions, Ellie discovered that hunting was about much more than harvesting an animal; it was about patience, preparation, teamwork, food, family, and connection. She shares the laughter and camaraderie that developed among the women in the program—including the unforgettable experience of processing deer while singing along to Disney princess songs with her new friends. She also talks about the support provided by the instructors, the gear that helped set her up for success, and the encouragement that continued even after the program ended. Although Ellie and her hunting partner were not successful on their first hunt, she learned that a hunt can still be meaningful when you don’t come home with an animal. The experience taught her to appreciate the pursuit, the lessons, the adrenaline, and the memories created along the way. Later, she went on to harvest her first animal in Namibia, an experience she describes as peaceful, surreal, and unforgettable. Ellie and Dana also explore how hunting has changed Ellie’s perspective on food and family. She talks about bringing venison home, learning new wild-game recipes, and gaining a deeper appreciation for the time, work, and responsibility involved in providing meat. Hunting has become something she can share with her husband, her extended family, and—one day, she hopes—her daughter. For Ellie, the journey has also been about challenging assumptions. What she once viewed as something that was “not for her” has become a meaningful part of her life. She now encourages other women to try hunting, shares her story at outdoor events, and looks for opportunities to help make the hunting community more welcoming and accessible. The conversation touches on mentorship, conservation, family traditions, women in the outdoors, hunting with people with disabilities, and the importance of understanding where our food comes from. Ellie also shares her dream of someday combining her experience as an ASL interpreter with her passion for hunting by helping a deaf hunter experience the field. This episode is an inspiring conversation about stepping outside your comfort zone and discovering a new version of yourself on the other side. Whether you are an experienced hunter, someone who is curious about getting started, or simply looking for a story about courage, community, and personal growth, Ellie’s journey offers plenty of encouragement to give it a try.
