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40 | SIGNATURE MONTANA Participants 12 years and older are welcome to join the Great Falls Ladies' League, which runs for six weeks each summer. e group loves incorporating themes into its weekly shooting competitions, such as pirate night, Tiger King night, the 70s and 80s night, and red, white, and blue night, coordinator Mary Jacobson says. "eme night isn't required," Mary notes. "Some women do it, and some don't. We also change up the themes every year and get input from the members for the ideas and themes for the following year." ey also like to hold at least one annual fundraising event to give back to an organization in their community. e women shoot 50 rounds at each weekly meeting except for the first and last week, when they generally shoot 20 rounds. "At the end of the night, we have dinner together and maybe do some shotgun games," Mary says. "A lot of times, the league will bring one entrée, and everyone else brings side dishes." e entire evening lasts approximately 3 ½ hours. Dozens of women have joined up since the league was formed approximately four years ago. e Great Falls league was comprised of 52 shooters this year alone. "I've had a lot of women tell me, 'is is our night out,'" Mary says. "I have made so many good, solid friendships." Great Falls isn't the only Montana town where women's shooting sports are gaining momentum. Ladies have also formed leagues in Helena, Bue, Libby, Kalispell, Havre, and Plains, among others. Most leagues cost about $65 to $80 to join, Mary says. The Low-Down on Ladies' Leagues e group loves incorporating themes into its weekly shooting competitions, such as pirate night, Tiger King night, the 70s and 80s night, and red, white, and blue night. Tools of the trade. The elegance of empowerment.

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