The Rise of Women in the Outdoor Industry
Women in the hunting industry are on the rise. Much of this momentum comes from the empowering and inspiring female hunting influencers who have built their platforms around authenticity, storytelling, and skill. Icons like Eva Shockey, Melissa Bachman, and Tiffany Lakosky, have proven that personal branding and hunting can go hand in hand, if done intentionally and strategically.
In this article, I’ll break down what made these women so successful, the marketing strategies they use to connect with audiences, and what aspiring outdoor creators can learn to build their own brand as a female hunting influencer in today’s digital world.
Female Hunting Influencers in a Male-Dominated Industry
As both a marketing student and a woman immersed in the hunting industry, I’ve noticed an incredible shift: women are claiming their space in what has long been a male-dominated community.
While the digital age has made it easier than ever to share stories through YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, the women who rise to the top share a few defining traits; authenticity, education, consistency, and connection. Let’s look at how some of the most influential women have built thriving outdoor brands.
Eva Shockey: The Power of Authentic Storytelling
Eva Shockey may have grown up with a famous last name, her father, Jim Shockey, is a legendary hunter… but her success is the result of hard work, consistency, and authentic storytelling.
She doesn’t just post highlight reels. Eva shares her life as a mom, wife, and hunter through an honest POV, which helps her audience see her as relatable and real. She also strategically expanded her personal brand beyond hunting alone, weaving in themes of family, empowerment, and self-reliance.
One of her smartest marketing moves was partnering with Bowtech to create her own signature bow. This partnership not only increased her credibility but also positioned her as both a lifestyle figure and a knowledgeable expert, a balance every aspiring influencer should aim for.
Melissa Bachman: Educate First, Sell Second
Melissa Bachman is a master of educational content marketing. She understands her audience, women who are breaking into hunting and looking for mentorship, and she provides consistent value through how-to videos, product explanations, and storytelling.
When partnering with brands, she avoids overt sales tactics. Instead of simply telling followers to “buy this arrow,” she breaks down why a particular design or feature works. This educational approach builds trust, positioning her as a true authority rather than a salesperson. In marketing terms, that’s called niche authority, and it’s one of the most powerful long-term growth strategies.
Tiffany Lakosky: Family, Tradition, and Trust
Tiffany Lakosky has built her influence around family, heritage, and consistency. Her content blends motherhood with outdoor tradition, showing audiences that you can embrace both family and passion.
By staying true to her roots and keeping her message consistent, Tiffany’s brand feels dependable and authentic. Her approach shows that trust is built over years of showing up, not just for sponsors, but for your community.
How to Build Your Personal Brand in This Industry
Here’s where your marketing mindset becomes your biggest strength. If you want to become a successful female hunting influencer, you need to think like a brand strategist while staying authentic to your story.
1. Define Your Niche and Audience
Before you post your first reel or photo, ask yourself: Who am I and who am I speaking to?
Are you:
- The “new hunter”, sharing your learning journey?
- The “mom hunter”, showing your family’s outdoor lifestyle?
Once you understand your values and who you’re speaking to, you can create content that truly connects. Think about what your audience values: authenticity, education, or inspiration. Clarity here will guide every decision you make.
2. Create Authentic, Educational Content
People follow people, not curated brands. Show your growth, mistakes, and behind-the-scenes moments. Be the hunter who shares her wins and lessons learned.
Talk directly to your audience. Use video to connect. Educational, authentic content builds trust and trust builds engagement.
Build a Recognizable Personal Brand
Consistency is key. Decide on your tone, look, and message and then stick to them.
Start by identifying your content pillars, which are reacurring themes or topics you plan your conetent around. For example, if you’re building a “Mom Hunter” personal brand, your pillars might include:
- Family
- Field stories / outdoor adventures
- Education
- Empowerment
These create rhythm and recognition in your content, it makes you easily identifiable. This helps followers immediately understand who you are and what you stand for.
Leverage Brand Partnerships Wisely
Partnerships can elevate your brand, or break your audience’s trust. Choose companies that align with your message and values.
Your followers trust your opinion, so never promote something you don’t genuinely believe in. The most effective influencers prioritize transparency and authenticity over short-term gain. You need to remember, credibility is your most valuable marketing tactic.
Build Community
Influence doesn’t come from followers , it comes from connection.
Engage with your audience by responding to comments, sharing user-generated content, and collaborating with other women in the hunting space. Join Facebook groups, women’s hunting clubs, and online communities.
People don’t just want to follow your story, they want to be part of your story.
Platforms and Strategies That Work
Understanding each platform’s strengths will help you market smarter, not harder:
- YouTube is perfect for storytelling and in-depth education. This is where full hunts, gear breakdowns, and tutorials thrive.
- TikTok is ideal for casual, short-form content, think “day in the life” videos, hunting hacks, or cooking your harvest with your kids.
- Instagram is your brand’s personal identity place. Use it to share personal photos, family moments, and consistent visual branding that ties everything together.
Tailor your message to the platform and stay consistent, that’s how these women built loyal followings.
The Future of Women in Outdoor Influencer Marketing
The future of the hunting industry is more inclusive, authentic, and innovative than ever. Women are leading the charge, not only in the woods but also in digital storytelling and influencer marketing.
Representation matters, and every woman who steps into this space opens the door a little wider for the next one. As long as women continue sharing their stories with authenticity and passion, the outdoor world will only grow richer and more diverse.
If you’re a woman passionate about hunting, conservation, and storytelling, now is your time.
Start sharing your journey.
Connect with other women hunters online.
Learn from influencers like Eva Shockey, Melissa Bachman, and Tiffany Lakosky, and then take the wheel and make your own way.Because the next great female hunting influencer could be you.