Holly Heyser, a professional journalist in residence at Sacramento State, blogger, wetland conservationist and hunter, has been named the recipient of the Artemis Award, granted by the California Waterfowl Association.

Heyser, who is the faculty adviser to The State Hornet newspaper, said that her title encompasses three jobs, including teaching classes, advising students, and dealing with business matters. Heyser said a professional journalist in residence is someone who is adept in the journalism field and who is available to advise students when needed.

The California Waterfowl Association’s mission is to unite waterfowl hunters and to maintain the wetlands in which these waterfowl live. Waterfowl are water birds such as ducks and geese.

Sarah Swenty, public relations coordinator at Cal Waterfowl, said the Artemis Award recognizes women’s contributions to the waterfowl wetlands and all that it entails.

Heyser said the Artemis Award is gender-specific because women encounter many obstacles in hunting due to its male-dominant participation.

She said that the lack of women’s hunting gear in local stores is a clear indicator of the barriers that still remain, and that most female hunters are forced to buy their clothing online. Heyser said not being able to try the clothing on can always be risky. Because of this, Heyser writes women’s hunting clothing reviews in her blog. Heyser said that her blog is mostly dedicated to sharing experiences and feelings towards hunting.

Heyser, who has been seen as a voice for hunters, also writes and photographs for the Cal Waterfowl magazine and has helped to set up a branch of Cal Waterfowl at Sac State.

“Holly is an incredible voice in the world of hunting for both the non-hunter and the hunter. She reaches out to both and she helps each side to understand where the other is coming from,” Swenty said.

Bob McLandress, president of Cal Waterfowl, said he is excited that Heyser has taken on hunting.

“She’s able to put into words some of the things that we learned (while) hunting as children that we didn’t really think about,” McLandress said.

Heyser, who feels very comfortable being a part of Cal Waterfowl, said it is a group of kindred spirits and friends.

“They are all very focused on conservation of the species as a whole. They’re just good people who have the same ethic on hunting as myself. It’s not just a hunting group where we all get together, wear camo and shoot things. There is a lot of time and money coming from the organization that is put into habitat restoration and preservation,” she said.

Heyser said hunting is hiking with a purpose.

“In the process of looking for game, you suddenly get tuned into everything around you. The only difference is that hunting makes you a participant, which makes me feel like what I am – a part of this planet and a part of nature,” she said.

Heyser describes herself as an unusual ambassador.

“I’m female, I started hunting at age 41, I’m a lifelong journalist, which is considered a liberal anti-hunting profession, and I now teach at a university, which is considered even more liberal and anti-hunting.”

Todd Wilson, editor in chief of The State Hornet who works alongside Heyser, not only believes she is more than deserving of the award, but also thinks Heyser is perfect for her job.

“She is fanatical about that stuff. She will not let herself do a bad job at anything.” Wilson said. “This is my second time through a university, so I’ve worked with many professors. I have never had a better mentor than Holly Heyser.”

Katrina Tupper can be reached at [email protected]