Trisha Hedin

A Moab woman who uses hunting as a way to explore the outdoors

Tell us about yourself: Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up mostly in northern California, where my family made a living in the logging industry. My father was a timber faller for most of his life, but near the end of his career, he ran a small logging company working for Sierra Pacific Industries. I left my hometown and moved to Washington state for college and then remained there to begin my teaching career in Tacoma, Washington.

I moved to Moab in 2001 where I initially worked in environmental education, but eventually moved back into the classroom. Currently, I run an adult education program for Grand County School District, while also working for Utah State University within their environment and society department. I'm also currently serving as the county commissioner for Grand County. I spend my little bits of free time trying to be outside as much as possible hiking, climbing and — when it's that time of year — hunting.

Why do you hunt, and how did you get into it?

The main reason that I hunt is to have an opportunity to explore untrampled country where I can be enveloped by that environment and the animals that inhabit it. I have been to amazing places and seen incredible things because of hunting. It makes you not only acutely aware of your surroundings, but it also expands your wonder as well as your knowledge.

I grew up in an older generation where girls weren't always included in outdoor endeavors. My father took my brother hunting, but I didn't go. So I didn't grow up hunting, but I did grow up trapping. I also had the experience of always living in a rural area and during a time when we didn't have devices that we were plugged into, so we roamed endlessly. I think that this upbringing gave me the confidence to explore the outdoors on my own.

I started hunting in my early 30s, and my father was extremely excited to help me in any way possible, even from afar. My initiation into the sport was not easy — lots of trying to figure it out and often by myself. But now my hunts are filled with my family (father, brothers, nephews), my partner and old friends that are also immersing themselves into the wonders of hunting.

What is your favorite part of hunting?

My favorite part of hunting is exploring new country — getting to know nooks and crannies of areas that I would have never have ventured into otherwise. I love surrounding myself with the sights and sounds of wild places, and hunting allows me to do that.

What are some tips you would offer someone who is interested in learning to hunt?

I would recommend finding as many venues as possible that will give you information and mentorship. There are many avenues that offer such information, but sometimes you have to dig for it! I would also recommend becoming involved in a conservation organization and surrounding yourself with people who are also interested in hunting. I currently work with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and find the passion and interests of those individuals to be a great motivator for my hunting endeavors. Lastly, I recommend getting involved with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. I have loved volunteering my time to be involved in their public process for fishing and hunting management and helping with their projects that bring me closer to wildlife.

To learn more about hunting, visit the DWR website.