Do You Hear The Call Of The Huntress?
Way of the Huntress participants during their Hunting Expedition with Murphy
The Way Of The Huntress is a year-long journey of learning and initiation into the craft, science, and mystery of ethical deer hunting. Meeting nine times throughout an entire year, you will experience each piece of the deer hunter's journey through the seasons. Together with a cohesive group of women, trans folks, and queer people who are committed to a safe, ethical, thoughtful, and spiritually connected hunt, you will discover what it means to embrace full accountability for the meat you eat. The apprenticeship culminates in early December with a seven-day, fully guided Sacred Hunt on a private organic farm in Northern Virginia. The farm has a plentiful deer population so there is a high chance you will be able to harvest your first deer during this week, and honor the experience with a community of people you have studied hunting with all year.
This apprenticeship is led by Murphy Robinson, who heard the call of the huntress during a deep meditation at age 27, after being a vegetarian all their life. They bring a strong sense of their spiritual connection to nature into all their huntress work, and they have taught people from all walks of life about the Sacred Hunt. Murphy brings their own teachers and mentors to this program to teach us what they know, and the gatherings offer plenty of time for marksmanship practice with rifle and bow, scouting for deer sign throughout the seasons, and spending time building our spiritual connection with the land & its creatures.
The next Way Of The Huntress apprenticeship will begin in March 2020.
For more information, please read the Q&A section below.
This apprenticeship is led by Murphy Robinson, who heard the call of the huntress during a deep meditation at age 27, after being a vegetarian all their life. They bring a strong sense of their spiritual connection to nature into all their huntress work, and they have taught people from all walks of life about the Sacred Hunt. Murphy brings their own teachers and mentors to this program to teach us what they know, and the gatherings offer plenty of time for marksmanship practice with rifle and bow, scouting for deer sign throughout the seasons, and spending time building our spiritual connection with the land & its creatures.
The next Way Of The Huntress apprenticeship will begin in March 2020.
For more information, please read the Q&A section below.
Our Deer Spirit Altar on the Hunting Expedition
You must fill out an application to be considered for the Way of the Huntress Apprenticeship, because we want to make sure the program will be a good fit for you. Please fill out this application. After we review your application we will schedule a phone conversation to answer any of your questions and help you make a final decision about enrolling in the program.
Honoring JoJo's first buck together
Huntress Q&A
- What is the schedule of this program? We will meet for 8 weekend classes (10am-5pm each day) and then gather for a Sacred Hunt in Northern Virginia (seven days including arrival and departure). This is the curriculum:
- March 7-8: Setting Our Intentions for this Journey & Calling in the Deer Spirit, Winter Tracking Skills.
- March 28-29: Introduction to our tools: Archery and Riflery.
- April 11-12: Deer Ecology: Yearly Cycles. Spring Deer Sign: Hunting for Shed Antlers. Ritual skills for connecting with the Deer Spirit.
- April 25: Marksmanship Clinic (split weekend part 1)
- June 7: Marksmanship Clinic (split weekend part 2)
- July & August we do not meet -- go play in the sun!
- September 5-6: Wilderness Navigation & Scouting Skills: Mountains, Farmlands, Swamps. Tree Stand Safety.
- October 10-11: Attend the Hide Tanning Workshop
- December 6-12: Weeklong Guided Hunt in Northern Virginia
- What is the cost of this Program? The cost is $2,500 for seven weekends and a seven-day guided hunt. By signing up for this series, you save $560 over the normal price of these programs if taken separately (and much of this training is material we don't offer in stand-alone classes).
- What does this tuition include? The tuition covers seven weekend classes that include hot lunches. You are welcome to camp at Mountainsong Expeditions during our learning weekends (bring your own dinner and breakfast). The tuition also includes food and tenting space for the December hunt. Tuition does not include travel to Northern Virginia, the cost of your Virginia hunting license, or the cost of shipping venison back from Northern Virginia.
- Is this apprenticeship only for women? The 2020 Way of the Huntress apprenticeship is for women, trans folks, and queer folks. You need to be 18 or older. We welcome anyone who identifies as a woman or a trans person or queer. We may invite male-identified instructors, guides, and cooks in this program at times.
- What is the spiritual aspect of this program? Is it religious? We honor the universal sense of a sacred connection to nature that is a common thread throughout all religions. We welcome each person to share about their own spiritual path in our circle. We have had participants who are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Wiccan, Pagan, and atheist participate in our past Sacred Hunt programs. Whatever spiritual lineage you bring to our circle, our intent is to co-exist in harmony and learn from each other.
- How fit do you need to be? Most hunting requires us to hike off-trail through rough wooded terrain, so you must be able-bodied enough to do this. You must also have good enough eyesight to aim a rifle or bow accurately. An average fitness level is usually adequate.
- Can I hunt with a bow or crossbow? The apprenticeship will offer training and practice in shooting a rifle and a recurve bow, but bowhunting is an advanced skill that requires many extra hours of practice. Our seven-day hunt is during rifle season, and most participants will choose to hunt with rifle for a quick, clean kill (we can provide a gun for you). If you purchase your own hunting bow, arrows, and broadheads, and put in extra practice time until you can shoot accurately enough to pass our huntress marksmanship test, you may hunt with a bow during our seven-day hunt. If you have your own crossbow and can demonstrate accurate shooting, that is also a legal way to participate in our Virginia hunt (crossbow hunting laws may vary in your home state).
- If I already took the Huntress Intensive weekend, will I learn anything new in this program? We will cover more content, in far greater depth, than the Huntress Intensive. You will gain a year of community support and reinforcement of your hunting goals, including monthly marksmanship practice and a guided hunt in December. The Huntress Intensive prepares you with some essential hunting skills, but this program actually gets you ready for the hunt over time and takes you on a guided hunt.
- What if I decide I don't want to shoot a deer? All the classes and activities are optional. If you want to come to all the classes, and even come to Virginia with us, but don't feel ready to shoot a deer, that is fine too! You are the only person who can decide what you are ready for on this journey.
- How do I get there? Our weekend trainings will be based in Worcester, Vermont, which is near Montpelier. We can help arrange carpools. Our seven-day hunt is in northern Virginia. You will need to arrange your own transportation to the hunt, but carpooling is likely to be an option.
- Can I pay for this with a VSAC Non-Degree Grant? Yes, Vermont residents with a low income can apply for a VSAC non-degree grant to cover the cost of this program. Please contact us for full application instructions. One person has been given the grant for this program in the past, and another person was denied. It's your responsibility to appeal to VSAC if your grant is denied, and show them that this program will lead to improved employability in your field.
- Can I pay the tuition on a payment plan? Yes! Your $500 deposit holds your spot in the program and must be paid when you sign up. The remaining tuition can be paid in installments over the course of the program. All tuition must be paid in full by Nov 1st.
- How do I get my venison back from Northern Virginia? We recommend a cooler (64 gallons or larger) with dry ice in the trunk of your car. If you are flying, there may be limited room in Murphy's vehicle for transporting frozen venison back to Vermont. Depending on the meat transportation rules in your home state or province, you may be required to bring home only meat that has been removed from the bone (to prevent the potential spread of Chronic Wasting Disease). If you are transporting meat back to Vermont, you cannot import any bones from Virginia.
- I have another question! Head on over to the Contact Us form and send your question to Murphy!
Huntress Rifle Practice
Once you've been accepted to the program, you can pay your tuition below: