I never thought I would want to learn to hunt until I purchased a German Shorthair Pointer. I am a lady in her early sixties. Through an internet search I came upon the "Joy of Hunting" program taught by Anne Kania. I booked a 3 day training session. What a wonderful experience it was. I was taught everything I needed to know about shooting. From gun safety, target shooting, actual hunts with pointing and flushing dogs, gun cleaning, to bird cleaning. The training was step by step and Anne patiently taught me. The property is beautifully maintained and if you have a non-hunting companion there is plenty for them to do, such as fishing. |
Anne & Bruce,
I want to again thank you for the opportunity to hunt your preserve. I have been hunting pheasants for over 50 years. My experience has included numerous trips to North & South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Montana and California. In all of those excursions I have never hunted or seen pheasant habitat that is superior to what you have developed on your property. Your comprehensive program of crop management, security cover and predator control provides optimum habitat pheasant production and retention. My dog and I feel privileged to have met you and to hunt such incredible habitat. Tom Sullivan |
Reflecting on my recent experience with you, I'm struck by the artistry evident in the facility, and the admirable skill and caring that I was offered as your guest. The grounds and lodge are clearly managed with professional insight and thoughtful planning. Having personal guidance in the field, coupled with admirable dog work, generated delightful, exciting, and productive hunts in exceptional conditions. Your lodge/hunting/shot gunning adventure should not be missed by neophyte or experienced outdoorsmen. Oh yes, I'd expect women, perhaps somewhat more appreciative of an upscale setting, would be particularly taken with the experience I enjoyed.
Chuck Shannon MD, Anchorage, Alaska
The Joy of Hunting program developed by Anne is a great way to get your wife involved in the sport of wingshooting. She will learn all of the basics in a frendly, no-pressure environment. Bruce's passion for hunting wild game birds is exceeded only by his knowledge of developing incredible wildlife habitat. Clayton Rue, Level lll Instructor NSCA, Alaska
What a wonderful offering The Joy of Hunting is proving to be!! I was thoroughly impressed with every aspect: the wonderful breakfast, the gorgeous setting, your emphasis on gun safety & the opportunity to practice the essentials over and over, the target shooting, walking your beautiful property and watching Andrea's amazing dog sniffing out the pheasants, the great conversations and - last, but not least - that stunning gourmet meal at the end of the day. Anne, you and Andrea have created a truly wonderful and valuable experience. You are both excellent teachers - careful, thorough, patient, and delightful! Martha Rowe, Billings, MT
I first met Anne Kania at Highland Hills Ranch in Oregon almost 6 years ago. Prior to meeting her in person, we had several phone exchanges. Thinking back to the first phone call I have to smile as I watch her launch this new business. Why do I smile you may ask? Well, the conversation went something like this: "Elizabeth, I love to hunt, and Highland Hills Ranch is a lovely place with fabulous birds but I am just not sure about hunting with all women. I am serious about my hunting......' and so it went on. After about 15 minutes, I had assured her that while we were serious about our hunting, we were also serious about our fun while in the field. And we were serious about the fellowship that an all woman's hunt cultivates. Anne came, and we have been friends ever since. She has taken lessons from me and I have hunted with her many times in the field.
Her knowledge is extensive and her ability to convey that knowledge with passion is superb. Her smile is infectious and I have no doubt anyone who attends her seminars and events will come away as a better steward of our environment, and certainly a more confident and knowledgable hunter/huntress.
As a member of the G.R.I.T.S., she embodies the spirit and passion that makes her a great representative of our group and women in the shotgun sports. I cannot wait to join a group out there soon!
Elizabeth Lanier, Founder of G.R.I.T.S., NSCA Level 3 Instructor and owner of Lanier Shooting Sports
I’ve had the distinct pleasure of hunting wild pheasants with Bruce and Anne Kania on their beautiful, magnificently managed property overlooking the Yellowstone River for nearly 15 years. The accommodations are a MAGNIFICENT beautifully appointed home with an awe-inspiring view of the Yellowstone. The meals are top shelf and healthy, consisting of organic vegetables, locally grown meats and fish and game grown and harvested on the property. The big fireplace, combined with a well-aired red, or top choice shelf libation, is a wonderful place to reflect on the day's activities. Bruce and Anne are sportspeople of the first order whom I am blessed to have as friends. Anne is the most enthusiastic woman hunter I’ve ever met and has shot tens of thousands of rounds at clays, wildfowl and game birds.
Dale C. Spartas, Outdoor Writer & Photographer, Bozeman, Montana
Twice before I have tried to become comfortable handling a shotgun. I love the idea of hunting game birds since I really enjoy cooking and eating them and love being outside. Both times I had nice men trying to teach me the basics and both times I felt rushed, unsteady and pushed too fast for my comfort level. Then I met Anne Kania and the difference in teaching styles was remarkable.
Anne takes the time to teach how the shotgun works, how to walk with it, how to mount it properly, how to load it, all the details that I needed to instinctively know before being turned loose in a field. She is patient, knows how a gun should properly fit to my body and worked with me to make sure everything was right. And her field instructions, educating me about how to act and position myself in the field when hunting with others, was invaluable. Instead of fretting about doing something wrong, with Anne's guidance I could handle the shotgun and be out with others and enjoy the entire experience completely!
I would encourage anyone that wants to become a competent hunter to take Anne's class. It will make a huge difference in your comfort level around shotguns." Terry Zee Lee, Billings, Montana