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BC’s First Female Licensed Hunt Guide
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Gerry Bracewell,
BC's First Female Licensed Hunt Guide
Gerry Bracewell spent most of her life in the wilderness, breaking her way into a male-dominated industry as the first female licensed hunt guide in British Columbia. She was also the first woman to own a guide outfitting territory and the longest serving guide outfitter.
When Gerry became an assistant hunt guide she needed to know more than how to shoot, skin and field dress the animals and prepare the meat. She had to find the animals, know their habitats and behaviours. Gerry learned all these skills and more, allowing her to take over a guide outfitting territory in 1945 and become a Class A guide, guiding hunters on horseback after any big game animals that were in season in her territory, a career that lasted over fifty years.
But Gerry faced sexism from some of her male colleagues and guests who laughed in disbelief, showed their lack of trust in Gerry’s guiding abilities or talked women down. This didn't stop Gerry, she believed in herself and so she didn’t need anyone else’s approval. She knew she was a good hunt guide and deserving of respect. She stayed true to herself and called guides and guests alike out when they were sexist or rude to her.
Gerry was very successful as a guide and, now at age 99, is an inspiration for new and aspiring hunt guides, both male and female. Her determination and self-belief show everyone what can be done when you put your mind to it.
At the age of 93, Gerry wrote her memoirs, “Gerry, Get Your Gun,” sharing her experience as the first licensed female hunt guide in BC and the first woman to own a guide outfitting territory. Find out more on her website: https://www.gerrybracewell.com/. At her ranch, Bracewell's Alpine Wilderness Adventures, Gerry also ran fishing and horse pack trips, meaning she catered for a whole range of wilderness experiences.
Gerry's legacy continues in her family. One of her sons, Alex, still runs Bracewell's Alpine Wilderness Adventures, and another son, Kevan, runs Chilcotin Holidays, bringing wilderness experiences to more people from all over the world who travel to the Chilcotin Mountains.
GET BACK TO NATURE IN THE CHILCOTIN MOUNTAINS
• Ranch cabin rentals • Ranch campsite rentals • Alpine meadow cabin rentals • 1000 kms of horse trails (guided rentals or bring your own)
