Friendships forged on the field to fork journey

A group of leading female hunters travelled from across Europe to take part in a networking trip with a difference, including deer stalking, chatting, game cookery, dancing… and a major delay on the way home.

The women – Caroline Schack Svankjær from Denmark, Madeleine Pettersson from Sweden, Pilar Montero from Spain and BASC’s vice chair Claire Sadler – all gathered at Childerley Sporting in Bedfordshire for the first leg of their trip. The day provided the setting for a BASC podcast special, which you will be able to listen to here from 1 April.

The purpose of the trip was to bring together leading female hunters – all of them BASC members – from across Europe to share ideas on how to involve more women in fieldsports. BASC’s Women in Shooting initiative sets out to just do that, providing opportunities for women to become involved, or more involved in the sector and so helping to address the underrepresentation of women in shooting.

Shared challenges

The lack of female participation in shooting compared to men is a challenge faced by the UK and European countries. With high profile sector representatives from Sweden, Denmark, Spain and the UK, the event provided an opportunity to share ideas, compare notes and discuss a collective vision of growing the number of women involved in different forms of shooting.

The field to fork element of the trip was integral, with the women having the opportunity to stalk Chinese water deer and muntjac for the first time as part of a management cull with Childerley Sporting in Bedfordshire. The cull animals taken during the day were later cooked and eaten in the evening.

Following their whistle-stop tour of Bedfordshire, the next stop on the trip was London, where they attended the Eat Game Awards, providing an insight into how the UK celebrates wild food.

Three-out-of-four of the party then faced a very long journey home, with the Heathrow closure disrupting return journey plans and meaning the trip was extended by another few days. Once all safely home, they reflected on their visit

Reflections on the visit

Sharing her thoughts on the visit, Caroline Schack Svankjær said: “There’s something deeply empowering about standing shoulder to shoulder with other women in the field – strong, skilled, and totally in our element. It reminds me how important it is that we take up space not just physically, but culturally too. Shooting has long been male-dominated, but there’s such strength, calm, and intuition in the way women move through the landscape. We don’t just belong here, we bring something unique. Instinct. Connection. Presence. And we need more women who dare to say: this is my place too.

I’ll never forget that morning in England. The light was soft and golden as it filtered through the trees, birds calling quietly as the forest slowly woke up around us. We were surrounded by life – deer, birds, movement everywhere – and yet everything felt still. The kind of stillness that makes your senses sharper, your breath slower.

“We saw so much wildlife that morning. It was magical. But also a reminder: this isn’t just about pulling the trigger. It’s about waiting. Watching. Choosing the right moment – not just for the shot, but for the animal, the setting, and everything around you. There’s so much respect in that. Respect for the animal, for nature, and for yourself. When the right opportunity finally came, it was calm. No adrenaline rush, no rush at all – just quiet focus.

“This wasn’t just about the hunt – it was about connection. With the land, with the animal, and with the incredible women I got to share it with. There’s nothing quite like doing something you love, with people who share your passion. It’s the kind of experience that settles deep and stays with you.”

Part of something bigger

Madeleine Pettersson said: “I never imagined that my first hunt in England would become such an unforgettable experience. With an open mind and no greater expectations than to enjoy the beautiful nature and the company of my friends, I set out to hunt muntjac and Chinese water deer. It was never about the numbers. It was about the camaraderie, the friendships, and the feeling of being part of something bigger.

“We were four women from different corners of Europe – Pilar from Spain, Caroline from Denmark, and Claire from England. Since the day we found each other, we have built a supportive, energizing, and strong bond. It is in moments like these that you truly understand the power women have when we uplift and inspire each other.

“Hunting in England was a unique and exciting experience. The small, fast muntjac and the elegant Chinese water deer require a different strategy and precision than I was used to. The nature, the light, and the traditional hunting culture added an extra dimension to the hunt, and I felt truly privileged to experience this alongside women who share the same passion as I do.

“BASC’s Women in Shooting initiative means so much to me as a hunter. It is a movement that shows that women have a rightful place in the world of hunting, that we can be strong, skilled, and passionate hunters while building an incredible community. It is not just about hunting – it is about inspiring, learning, and passing on traditions on our own terms. Being part of this network gives me courage, strength, and joy to continue promoting the values of hunting.

“This journey will always stay close to my heart – not just for the game I harvested, but for the laughter, insights, and friendships it brought with it. I am already looking forward to the next hunting adventure with these amazing women by my side.”

Taking it to a global audience

Pilar Montero reflected: “A woman is capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to. Four women hunters from four different nationalities hunted together. We were able to talk and debate about how we hunt in our countries, the ammunition we use, and how we value the world of hunting.

“Women are increasingly gaining a global role in hunting. We no longer just accompany our partners; we are now the hunters. We are and will be the mothers of future hunters. Who better than us to instill passion, respect, and dedication to hunting, the countryside, and conservation?”

Claire Sadler said: “I am so proud that we have done something that’s never been done before. Pulling together a group of likeminded women to pool our ideas and experiences in an attempt to introduce more women to shooting here in the UK and further afield will help to boost the involvement of women further, benefit those who already take part and highlight what we are doing and why to a global audience.”

Our international visitors feature on the April episode of the official BASC Podcast talking about their UK stalking experience and how BASC’s Women in Shooting compares to what’s on offer in their respective countries. Listen to the podcast on our website, Spotify or Apple Podcasts from 1 April.

Find out more information about BASC Women in Shooting here.