Publisher and editor of Women’s Outdoor News Barbara Baird is a book author and freelance writer in the travel and outdoor markets. Before launching Women’s Outdoor News, aka WON, in 2008, she worked as a newspaper and then magazine editor. Her bylines can be found at Field and Stream, American Hunter, Outdoor Life, America’s 1st Freedom, Fly Fisherman, AAA publications, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Columbia (Mo.) Tribune, the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader, SHOT Business, SHOT Daily, Shooting Illustrated, Show Me Missouri and a host of other magazines and newspapers.
1. We want to know more about you. Please give us a glimpse into your journey with firearms.
I publish “Women’s Outdoor News.” I launched this online publication in 2008 because I wanted to provide a blog format so that women could network, and discover more about fishing, hunting, shooting and the great outdoors. But before that, I worked as a newspaper and then magazine editor. My bylines can be found in some of this country’s top outdoor and travel magazines. I offer two columns at The WON: “Babbs in the Woods” and “The Barbed Wire.” The Barbed Wire got us into big trouble from the dark web recently, when I opined about the importance of keeping men out of women’s sports. We recently launched a press release service, too, which has been popular with outdoor companies that want us to publicize their products on our platforms – including the web and social media, and … Pinterest!
2. What two pieces of advice would you give someone interested in learning how to shoot or purchase their first firearm?
Talk to people who shoot, and discover what you want and why. Then, get training – whether it’s in a group or one-on-one – from reputable instructors. Also, here’s a bonus: if you’re going to carry, buy protection, such as a membership in CCW Safe.
3. What is your favorite piece of firearm-related equipment that you own? Why do you like it?
It would have to be the UpLULA. That has saved many a broken nail and made loading those last two cartridges quickly into a magazine.
4. What was something someone told you (or that you read) that significantly influenced your life?
After losing both of my parents to Covid nearly three years ago, within a week’s time of each other, my husband took distraught me by the shoulders gently, looked me in the eye and said, “Barb, remember your faith.” I take that advice and apply to many aspects of my life these days – not just to my grief.
5. What do you wish you knew about getting involved with firearms right from the beginning of your journey?
It’s never over. There’s always a new technology, a new drill, a new way to train, a new skill to learn. That’s exciting!