Empowerment in the Turkey Woods

Al-Abdulmunem's first two times shooting were practice shots. The third one procured fresh wild turkey meat for her freezer. Nevertheless, Al-Abdulmunem's hunt illustrates how uplifting the spring wood is and how passionate NWTF volunteers are.  

Al-Abdulmunem and her hunting mentor — Minnesota NWTF State Chapter President Ralph Warzecha — met on a cool May morning on Warzecha’s property. The two were brought together by Al-Abulmunem's desire to learn to hunt and Warzecha’s desire to teach others how to hunt.  

Warzecha, a linchpin in Minnesota’s conservation and hunting circles, is known for his knowledge of the outdoors and for his commitment to mentoring new hunters. From his home in Eagle Bend — often a launch point for group hunts and one-on-one mentoring sessions — Warzecha estimated he has helped over 400 people begin their hunting journey on his property. 

That day, Warzecha taught Al-Abdulmunem the turkey hunting basics, such as how to set up a blind, decoys strategies, how to properly aim and shoot and how to use a box call, an item she described as “magical.” 

After going over the basics, the duo set up in a spot where Warzecha had seen some birds previously.  

“It was early afternoon, so I wasn’t too sure about what kind of luck we were going to have, but sure enough, we struck up a tom who came in gobbling on a string,” Warzecha said.  

Al-Abdulmunem and Warzecha estimated she harvested her bird at about 30–40 yards. 

For Al-Abdulmunem, however, the experience was about far more than a turkey harvest; it was a moment of empowerment. 

“Having grown up overseas in the Middle East, sheltered, and without access to enriching programs, I found the experience to be quite empowering,” she said. “As a child, I saw how men and boys were allotted a variety of recreational activities and had the freedom to pursue them as they wished. Women, on the other hand, were often treated like an afterthought. 

“If opportunities such as this mentored hunt were not made readily available to adults in our communities, many people, such as myself, will have missed out on a valuable chance at self-discovery. I thank Ralph for his generosity and willingness to take on beginners in many forms. I see now, more than ever, how capable I am and cannot wait to try my hand at hunting again.” 

Hunting, fishing, hiking, foraging — these are activities that open a door to deeper fulfillment in life. Mentored hunts like Al-Abdulmunem's show that the woods are for everyone, no matter their background or experience level.