Not a separate thing. Not a niche. Just bowhunters. More women are picking up a bow in WA every year, and the community is better for it.
The number of women getting into bowhunting across Australia has been growing steadily. WA is no different. At ABA shoots around Perth and the regions, you’ll see women competing alongside everyone else — same targets, same distances, same standards. Out on properties, women are doing the same pest control work as anyone. Stalking pigs through the jarrah. Sitting on fox over a lambing paddock. Helping landowners manage feral deer and pig damage. You set the rules. We make sure they’re followed — regardless of who’s behind the bow.
Let’s be straight about this. We’re not writing this page to tick a box. We’re writing it because women who are keen on bowhunting sometimes want to know that they’ll be welcome, that there are others doing it, and that the practical stuff is covered. The answer to all three is yes.
The WA bowhunting community — through ABA clubs, social media groups, and crews like Drawn Bush — judges people on one thing: whether you do it right. Follow the code of conduct, respect the animal, respect the property, put in the work to be accurate with your bow. That’s the entry requirement. Full stop.
The gear is the same, but sizing matters. Here are some practical things worth knowing:
Women generally have shorter draw lengths, which means you need a bow that adjusts down far enough. Most modern compounds have good adjustability. Draw weight is personal — you want enough poundage to get clean pass-throughs on the game you’re hunting (40-50lbs is plenty for pigs and deer with the right setup), but you need to be able to draw it quietly and hold it comfortably. Start lighter than you think. Building draw weight takes time and there’s no shortcut. A local archery shop will get you measured up properly.
Release aids, armguards, and chest guards need to fit right. Women-specific archery gear is more available now than even five years ago. Some women prefer a short-axle compound for manoeuvrability in thick bush. Others shoot recurve or longbow and love the simplicity. Camo and field clothing in smaller sizes is getting easier to find too, though some women still end up in the youth section — which honestly works just fine.
The path is the same as for anyone. Our getting started guide covers the full process. The short version:
This is your entry point. ABA membership gets you insurance, access to 3D shoots, and a community of experienced hunters. Wanneroo and Whiteman Park clubs in Perth are both welcoming to newcomers. Regional clubs around Bunbury, Albany, and Geraldton are the same. Rock up to a shoot, introduce yourself, and people will help you out.
3D shoots are the best preparation for field hunting. They teach you to judge distance, shoot at different angles, and handle the pressure. Most ABA clubs run monthly shoots. Some run women-specific coaching sessions too — ask around.
Nothing replaces time in the field with someone who knows what they’re doing. Ask at your club if there are experienced hunters willing to take someone out. Couples who hunt together are common in the WA community. If you’re looking for a hunting partner or mentor, the Drawn Bush community can help connect you.
Here’s something that might surprise you: landowners often appreciate seeing a diverse crew. A couple or a mixed group turning up for pest control can actually put a farmer more at ease than a group of five blokes they’ve never met. It signals that this is a community activity, not a bunch of randoms after a pig safari.
Ultimately though, landowners care about competence and trust. Can you make clean shots? Will you respect the property? Will you follow the rules? If the answer is yes, it doesn’t matter who you are. Read our land access guide and the full Landowner Access Guide for the detail on how to approach farmers and build trust.
Bowhunting in Australia has traditionally been a male-dominated activity. That’s changing, and it’s changing because the community is welcoming. Women are showing up at ABA shoots, competing in state championships, heading out on properties for pest control, and bringing new perspectives to how we approach landowners and manage access.
The more people who do this properly — ethically, respectfully, with the right training — the better it is for everyone. More hunters offering pest control means more properties getting help with pig damage, fox predation, and deer control. More boots on the ground means less damage to farms and native wildlife. Everyone benefits.
Whether you’re brand new or you’ve been shooting for years, the Drawn Bush community is here for you. Jump in the group chat, ask questions, find hunting mates. No gatekeeping, no egos. Just keen hunters helping each other out. And check out the getting started guide if you’re ready to take the first step.
The guide is free. The community is free. Just a bunch of WA bowhunters helping each other out. No gatekeeping, no fees.
learn
New to bowhunting in Western Australia? What you need, where to start, and how to go from the range to the bush.
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The Australian Bowhunters Association gives you public liability insurance, access to events, and credibility with landowners. Here’s what you need to know.
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The code every ethical bowhunter in WA should follow. Shot placement, property respect, and why doing it right matters for everyone.
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A practical field guide to finding private land access for bowhunting in Western Australia. Where to look, how to approach landowners, and how to keep access long-term.
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