This year for International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the outdoors and those who make it a better place for all. We want to shine a spotlight on some amazing women in the outdoors – leaders, role models, mentors, mothers, sisters, and daughters – by sharing their stories, words of advice and encouragement for other women. We want to uplift and empower all the women who share the outdoors. One of the women we are proud to call our friend at Savage is Sallie Doty. This is her story!

Sallie Doty

I would consider myself an ambassador for the outdoor industry. I do not think that this is company specific, or has anything to do with any sponsorship. There is so much misinformation about hunting, and I love to help others understand what we do and why we do it. 

My advice for women in the outdoors: Do not be afraid to try every kind of hunting. Ask questions, get involved, join a conservation organization, and meet friends.  

How the outdoor industry can support women: Be a friendly and safe place for women to ask questions and to learn. I will admit that I do not know everything, but if other hunters are welcoming then it makes it easier to learn and grow as a hunter. 

How women can get involved in the outdoors: I highly recommend being a part of a local conservation organization. I am on the board of our local Delta Waterfowl Chapter. I have learned a lot and learned how to work with other like-minded people to better our community in the outdoor industry. I learn from other members, and it is an inviting atmosphere.   

How I Got Started:  I started hunting 10 years ago and my husband fully supported my decision. I think that he wanted to make it a positive experience for me, so I took my time. Most everyone that I met was supportive and wanted to learn how my journey was going each step of the way. 

How I support other women: I get DM's on Instagram from other female hunters every so often. I use this platform to help educate other women and be a safe place to reach out if they have any questions. I will have to admit that I offer quite a bit of advice to men too who message me. The hunting community is full of great people, and I love to share my knowledge/learn from others. 

Why I’m proud to be a woman in the outdoors: I think that I am proud to be a woman in the outdoors because I do not come from a family of hunters. I remember wanting to learn in High School, but I did not have anyone to teach me. Now I am able to offer that to other women who are new to the industry. It does not matter your background, hunting is for everyone! 

Challenges women face in the outdoor industry: One challenge I have faced is that people tell me that you got where you are because you are a woman. I am not sure what that means as we all have faced obstacles along the way. I just stuck with it. I have talked to other women in the industry and they feel the same way. The women I know and myself included are tough, we have goals and are driven. 

How I overcome challenges: I think that supporting one another is our best way to deal with negativity. For me this came with age. I know that in my 20's I cared a lot more about how I was perceived by people, not so much anymore in my 30's. Having a good network and support group of other female hunters definitely helps! 

We chased the waterfowl migration with Sallie in the fall of 2020. Check out her story! 

Follow Sallie Doty @sallie_doty

Read more Women in the Outdoors stories!