A Rifle Built Just for Women Hunters
Dr. John Woods 02.28.19
In case you have not noticed this trend over the past decades or so, there are more women hunters afield these days. Data compiled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service surveys revealed that approximately 11 percent of hunters were women. The National Sporting Goods Association reported this number at 13 percent and growing. You simply cannot be immersed in what is happening in the hunting world today and not realize that more women are hunting now than ever. And that is a good thing.
The problem is or was that women hunters could not find gear made or suited to their needs including hunting clothing, boots, jackets, vests, or much else. Women hate wearing hunting camouflage made for men. And most don’t like the pink camo either. That is changing. Just look at the comprehensive line of Prois Hunting Apparel designed and produced by lady huntress Kirstie Pike out of Gunnison, Colorado. This is cutting edge hunting clothes for women. Many other new products for women hunters are coming out all the time.
Likewise, women are having a hard time finding hunting firearms, rifles and shotguns that really fit their physique. Quite often they just settle for any rifle and cut back the stock butt or just use it as it. They get by and are successful, but really need a rifle cultured just for their fit.
Enter Weatherby’s new Camilla Deluxe. This may be the first hunting rifle designed just for women. Named after the wife of Weatherby founder Roy Weatherby, this rifle was also created in part by current Weatherby CEO Adam Weatherby’s wife Brenda, who is an accomplished hunter in her own rights. Adam Weatherby is Roy’s grandson.
The Camilla Deluxe is one beautiful rifle. In terms of a Weatherby model it is in the Mark V series, which is their top of the line guns. The stock is a “AA” fancy grade claro walnut with an exotic hardwood forend and grip cap with Maplewood spacers. The stock finish is a classic Weatherby lacquer with diamond point Fleur-de-lis checkering.
The stock is formed, shaped, and sculpted to properly fit a woman. The grip angle is changed, a trigger finger guide added, slimmed forend and right side palm swell for better fit and balance.
Chambered for the .240 Wby Mag, 6.5 Creedmoor, .308 Winchester, .270 Winchester, and the 30-06, with a 24-inch #1 contour barrel. The overall length is 43.5 inches with a weight of 6.5 pounds. The Weatherby Camilla Deluxe is both beauty and function just for women hunters. See www.weatherby.com for full details.
