By Fayth Janek
The 2026 Ladies In The Outdoors Calendar Contest proved just how powerful and connected the outdoor community has become. With entries pouring in from across the country and engagement growing at every stage of the contest, this year marked a major milestone for women who live and breathe the outdoor lifestyle.
From the first submission to the final moments of voting, the level of enthusiasm, encouragement, and support exceeded all expectations. The response from fans, followers, and fellow outdoorsmen and women reinforced what Ladies In The Outdoors is all about, community, confidence, and a shared passion for the outdoors.
Each woman who entered the 2026 contest represented more than just a calendar month. They shared personal stories shaped by hunting seasons, time on the water, early mornings in the field, and a deep respect for the land. Together, they created a competition rooted in authenticity, sportsmanship, and pride in the outdoor way of life. Ladies In The Outdoors remains dedicated to highlighting women who genuinely live the outdoor lifestyle while encouraging and educating more ladies to step outside, get involved, and find their place in the outdoors.
The success of the 2026 Ladies In The Outdoors Calendar Contest would not be possible without the continued support of our sponsors. Their commitment allows this platform to grow with purpose while helping elevate positive representation of women within the outdoor industry. We are also grateful to American Outdoor News for standing with us year after year and helping share our story with a wider audience.
Giving back remains a core part of our mission, and we were honored to once again support The Julia Grace Foundation through the 2026 contest. Supporting meaningful causes beyond the outdoors allows us to extend our impact and reinforce the values that unite this community.
As we look ahead to 2027, Ladies In The Outdoors prepares to celebrate its 5th Anniversary milestone built entirely on passion, perseverance, and the support of an incredible community. Follow us on social media for updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and announcements as we continue growing something special together.
From all of us at Ladies In The Outdoors, thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re building a community that celebrates, inspires, and empowers women in the outdoors.
By Kim Tackett
At 60 years old, my hunting journey looks a little different than most and that’s exactly what makes it special. I’m a Texas native who didn’t grow up in a hunting family. I came to hunting later in life, just over 25 years ago, and what began as curiosity quickly became a deep and lasting passion.
My husband, Lee, and I share a love for the outdoors that shapes our seasons. Fall finds us deer and dove hunting in Texas, with the occasional helicopter hog hunt thrown in, while the off-season is spent shooting competitive sporting clays. Along the way, I’ve grown deeply passionate about ethical hunting, wildlife management, and preserving meaningful stories from the field. The buck in my photo represents all of that a true buck of a lifetime and one of the most unforgettable moments of my hunting life.
Every bowhunter knows the discipline it takes to sit through long days, pass good deer, and wait for the right one. Lee and I are fortunate to hunt a 14,800-acre low-fence, free-range Texas lease, managed under a strict 5.5-year-old-and-older program. It’s a place built on patience and purpose, where great deer are allowed to reach maturity.
I’d been hunting hard since early October, but nothing moved me enough to release an arrow until one game-camera photo changed everything.
Lee was away on a fishing trip when he texted me, unable to contain his excitement. Our cellular trail camera had captured a familiar face: the buck I’d marked as my target the year before. He’d walked right past the exact blind I had hunted for days unseen. Stuck in a popup blind with no service, I eventually drove down the road to load the photos. When I saw him, my heart skipped. I canceled my four-hour drive home and committed to staying. Some opportunities don’t come twice.
That evening, young bucks filtered in, followed by a dominant 4.5-year-old local king. When he suddenly spooked and bolted, I knew what was coming. Seconds later, the big buck crested the hill. I drew once and got busted. I drew again and chaos followed. A jump, a spook, and he was gone. I returned to the lodge disappointed but confident: this buck was mature, real, and worth the wait.
The next encounter happened at 21 yards.
Drawing my newly increased 50-pound bow from a leaned position wasn’t easy, but adrenaline took over. He stared straight through me, our eyes locked, until another buck distracted him just long enough. With no time left, I committed to a quartering shot. The pin settled. The arrow flew. That unmistakable sound the thump every bowhunter knows told me everything.
After an agonizing wait and a careful track with our game manager, Billy, we found him. Relief washed over me. Back at headquarters, the tape confirmed it: 174 4/8 inches, a mature 5.5-year-old Texas whitetail, taken cleanly with a bow.
When I called Lee, his excitement matched my own. This wasn’t just a trophy. It was the reward for patience, respect for wildlife management, and trust in the process. I thank God for the meat in the freezer and for a buck on the wall that will forever be remembered as my buck of a lifetime.
By Gabi Peake
My name is Gabi Peake. I’m a 39-year-old disabled professional fisherman, singer, wife, and proud mom of two incredible kids, born and raised in Oklahoma. Fishing isn’t just something I do, it’s part of who I am.
I picked up my first fishing pole at five years old, standing beside my PaPa. The moment I caught my first fish, a bluegill, I was hooked for life. I still remember the excitement, the thrill of the bite, and the feeling that I couldn’t wait to do it again. From that day on, fishing became one of my greatest passions.
As the years passed, fishing started to become more challenging. Eventually, I learned why. I was diagnosed with Lupus with Autonomic Dysfunction, a condition that has slowed, malfunctioned, and even paralyzed five of my organs, including my heart, which led to the placement of a pacemaker. It changed my life, but it didn’t take fishing away from me.
I refuse to let my diagnosis define my limits. I still fish two to six days a week, and I cherish every second on the water. I gravitate toward big fish, especially catfish, because I love the challenge. The photo from my Mrs. February 2026 feature captures one of those unforgettable days, when I landed four catfish in under 50 minutes, bringing home thick, quality slabs and an even bigger sense of accomplishment.
Today, fishing is about more than just the catch. It’s about showing my kids and anyone watching that disabilities don’t erase passion. Fishing gives me strength, peace, and purpose, and it reminds me that giving up is never an option. If my story encourages even one person to keep chasing what they love, then every cast is worth it.
Fishing keeps me going. It fuels my spirit. And no matter what life throws my way, I’ll always keep my line in the water.
By Lori Card
Lori Card is the founder and owner of Wild Card Outdoor Adventures, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, encouraging, and empowering women and children in the outdoors. Alongside her supportive husband, two grown children, and three grandchildren, Lori lives a life rooted in faith, family, and a deep respect for the natural world.
Lori and her husband also own Wild Card Outfitters & Guide Services, LLC, extending their mission through hands-on outdoor education, ethical hunting experiences, and conservation-focused guiding. Together, their work reflects a lifelong commitment to stewardship, self-reliance, and passing outdoor traditions on to future generations.
Raised in a hunting family, Lori learned early the values of conservation, responsibility, and respect for the land. Her passion for teaching practical outdoor skills, including hunting, fishing, food preparation, canning, and sustainable living, grew even stronger after facing personal health challenges. Learning firsthand how chemicals and processed foods affected her body led Lori to live more intentionally and inspired her to help others reconnect with their food sources, the outdoors, and themselves.
Lori wears many hats in service to her community. She is a U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Captain, an Ordained Minister, and a certified hunter, bowhunter, and trapper education instructor through the Department of Natural Resources, where she also serves as a county coordinator. Most recently, she became a USCCA CPL and Awareness/Defense Instructor, expanding her work in personal safety, preparedness, and empowerment.
In 2014, Lori was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, a life-threatening autoimmune disease that led to years of severe illness. By April 2016, her condition required emergency surgery that saved her life, at which time she weighed just 97 pounds. During recovery, Lori experienced a powerful moment of faith, feeling God tell her, “I’m not ready for you yet; your mission isn’t over.” That message became a defining turning point.
Between 2016 and 2018, Lori endured multiple surgeries that ultimately restored her quality of life. Even during hospital stays, she continued planning and hosting outdoor events, determined not to let illness end her calling to serve others. Today, Lori is healthy, active, and deeply grateful — continuing her mission through education, community, and faith.
As she looks ahead, Lori remains committed to empowering women and children through outdoor experiences that build confidence, connection, and purpose. Trusting fully in God’s plan, she stands ready for whatever adventure comes next.
In Loving Memory of Jessica Holt
May 20, 1997- September 25, 2025
