June’s Woman of the Wild-Barbara Baird

Barbara Baird is a freelance writer from Rolla, Mo., who specializes in outdoor and travel markets. She has written for Fly Fisherman, America’s 1st Freedom, Turkey Call, Women in the Outdoors, Shot Business, AAA publications and others. Formerly with the award-winning Women’s Outdoor Wire [Southeastern Outdoor Press Association, "Best Outdoor Entrepreneur Project 2008"], Barbara now publishes The Women’s Outdoor News (aka, The WON). As a certified NRA pistol instructor, she teaches classes at her home range near Rolla, Mo. She’s on two pro-staff teams: Proís Hunting Apparel and Team Huntress. She also writes two travel columns for Show Me Missouri magazine and a column, “Out West,” for Turkey Call magazine. During the past 10 years, Barbara has written for several newspapers, including Springfield News-Leader and Columbia Tribune, and edited national and regional magazines. She is currently the president of The Women’s Outdoor Media Association.

So, how did someone who trained to be an English teacher in a high school classroom wind up gigging for frogs in sloughs in Missouri, hunting for turkeys in freezing rain and writing about those experiences?

“I quickly realized that my three sons and husband would rather be at the shooting range, in the woods or on the water than at the mall,” she explained. “I wanted to be there with them and I like to write about those experiences. I figured there are a lot of women out there who are like I am … we all didn’t grow up with these outdoor skills.” Living in the heart of the Ozarks affords her and the rest of the family plenty of opportunities to fish, hunt, shoot and explore the outdoors.

While doing her time in the journalism trenches as a weekly newspaper editor, Baird began writing a self-syndicated column called “The Accidental Ozarkian,” which ran in several newspapers and outdoor publications for eight years. During that time, the governor of Missouri named her one of Missouri’s “most influential female journalists.” Last year, she introduced a new column called “Babbs in the Woods,” which is exclusive to the weblog.

The WON informs and occasionally entertains readers with events, tips, techniques and products for outdoors’ women. The format of this weblog blasts updates to subscribers within 24 hours. Readers may also follow The WON on Twitter.

“The beauty of the blog is that consumers and outdoor enthusiasts may comment on products, departments and any blogs – and that it is so up-to-the-moment as opposed to a standard e-mail newsletter –and it’s delivered to your PDA,” said Barbara. The WON also features prominent outdoor photographers in the industry who share their photography tips in “Shoot to Thrill.” Several women outdoor writers also contribute columns to the site, including a gear review by Nancy Jo Adams, fly tying recipes by Eileen McNulty-Bowers, healthy green smoothie recipes by Jane Haddad and a fun take on life titled “Outside My Comfort Zone,” by Babes with Bullets’ coordinator Deb Ferns.

Barbara’s daughter, an interior designer in New Orleans, who also likes the shooting sports is now taking more of an interest in fishing and hunting. Her two daughters-in-law are avid huntresses and one also is a Louisiana angler.

“You know, people come up to me and say, ‘I read what you did in so-and-so publication, and if you can do it, I think I can do it, too!” said Barbara. “Some people might be offended by that, considering it a slight … I take it as a compliment. After all, not all of us want to sit around in red hats after we reach retirement ages. Some of us would like pink guns and fly rods, too!”

You may see The WON at www.womensoutdoornews.com.