Beyond the Doubt: Proving Women Belong in Dangerous Game Hunting
Deciding to hunt is one thing. Deciding to hunt dangerous game is an entirely different decision, one that carries tremendous weight and great responsibility. As a young woman, that decision carries an added significance. Growing up, I was simply a little girl who loved hunting with her dad. I never could have imagined that, as a teenager, I would find myself pursuing some of the greatest hunting adventures in the world and taking on Africa’s Big Five.
That journey began when I was 15 years old and had the opportunity to hunt Cape buffalo alongside my 17-year-old sister. I had grown up hearing stories about how dangerous these hunts could be, but, at times, I believed those stories were dramatized incidents that made for good dinner-table conversation. That changed the moment I experienced it for myself.
In a single week, my sister and I experienced one charge, two successful stalks, and more than 13 shots between two buffalo, all of which hit their mark. There was no mistaking it: when people say dangerous game is dangerous, they mean it. These animals were powerful, tough, and aggressive. But alongside the seriousness of it came something I had never felt before, an adrenaline rush and a sense of accomplishment unlike anything I had ever experienced. That hunt opened the door to an entirely new passion.
After experiencing Cape buffalo, I knew I wanted to pursue the big cats. My first opportunity came in June 2025, when I received the chance to hunt a lion. It was truly a dream come true. As the excitement settled in, it was quickly replaced by determination. I knew that hunting a lion was not simply another hunt. It was a serious undertaking requiring preparation, confidence, and respect for the animal and the risks involved.
As women, we can face challenges that extend beyond the hunt itself. We are often smaller, sometimes shooting smaller-caliber rifles, and, unfortunately, our abilities can be underestimated before we ever step into the field. I knew that leading up to this hunt, I wanted to do everything possible not only to prepare myself, but also to represent women in the dangerous game community.
The hunt was successful, and I was fortunate enough to harvest a beautiful lion. But the most valuable part of the experience was not the animal I brought home. It was what the hunt taught me about myself and about what women are capable of.
Women are often underestimated, and that is especially true when we enter the world of dangerous game hunting. But being underestimated does not mean being incapable. We are capable of more than we often realize. We have the ability not only to participate in this space, but to make a lasting impact on it.
We have the knowledge, resources, determination, and strength necessary to become successful dangerous game hunters. What we need is the willingness to take the risk, put in the work, and step confidently into a space where we may not always be expected to belong. And then, through our actions, prove that we do. – By Libby Gear
