The Origins Foundation Podcast

Episode 622: Anna V – Tips On Wing Shooting And Dog Training From a World Champion

Date: February 3, 2026
Guest: Anna Van Nostrand (“Anna V”)
Host(s): The Origins Foundation Team

Episode Overview

This episode features Anna Van Nostrand, known in the outdoors world as Anna V—a champion wing shooter, accomplished trainer of both pointing and retrieving dogs, and advocate for women in hunting. Anna shares her inspiring journey into the world of clay and wing shooting (starting in her mid-30s), practical tips for beginners, philosophies on gun and dog training, her favorite places to hunt, and ways to build community among women in the outdoors. The conversation is both insightful and entertaining, laden with stories, useful guidance, and a candid, empowering tone.

Main Topics and Discussion Points

1. Anna V’s Unconventional Start in Wing Shooting

• [05:16] Anna Van Nostrand: Reveals she didn’t pick up a shotgun until her mid-30s, dispelling myths that proficiency in shooting requires starting young.
• Hunting wasn’t new: grew up deer and turkey hunting; wing shooting was unfamiliar.
• Transitioned from teaching pistol basics (especially for women) to wing shooting after requests from local DU (Ducks Unlimited) chapters.

Notable Quote:

“No. I picked up a shotgun, like, literally in my mid-30s.” – Anna Van Nostrand [05:16]

2. Creating Opportunities for Women in Shooting

• Hosted introductory shoots for women in partnership with local lodges in Alabama and Georgia, bringing together women of all ages and backgrounds.
• Emphasized safety, fun, and building confidence over competition skills at first.
• Within two years of proper training, Anna won her state’s championship, as the only woman in her division.
• Stresses the powerful ripple effect—mothers teaching children, which further destigmatizes hunting for girls.

Notable Quote:

“We had 25 ladies there. It was a knockout of the park, right?... So April 14th of 2016, I took my first shotgun lesson, and within two years, I’d won state. And I was the only female in my class. So I beat all the boys.” – Anna Van Nostrand [10:05, 11:47]

3. Finding Coaches, Ranges, and Getting Started

• Recommends:
  • Seek out local clay courses for wing/shooting-specific training ([12:36])
  • State wildlife agencies often run shooting ranges and host classes (including women’s programs like “Becoming an Outdoor Woman”) ([13:02], [13:23])
  • Leverage organizations like SCTP (Scholastic Clay Target Program) to find youth or local coaches ([13:48])

Notable Quote:

“Shooting for, like, wing shooting and clays—I would definitely say a clay course... Just call the clay course and ask, tell them what your goals are.” – Anna Van Nostrand [12:36]

4. Journey Into Gundogs: From Short Hairs to Labs

• Anna’s first bird dog was a German Shorthaired Pointer (“short hair snob”)—eventually embraced labs as well after traveling to South Dakota and experiencing upland hunting with them.
• Describes the addictive subcultures among dog owners—different breeds, unique styles (pointing vs. flushing), and camaraderie in field trials and tournaments.
• Stress on safety, etiquette, and the steep learning curves that come with new environments (e.g., nearly losing a puppy in tall CRP grass during filming for Gundog TV).

Notable Quote:

“We do get addicted to our breed... and so I immediately changed my hashtag from ‘short hair snob’ to ‘happy hypocrite.’” – Anna Van Nostrand [16:58, 18:51]

5. Picking the Best Places for Upland and Waterfowl Hunts

• Top Recommendations:
  • Pheasant: Public land South Dakota (“Everyone needs to do that once in their life... it takes truckfuls of dogs.” [24:27])
  • Quail: South Georgia plantations
  • Grouse: Maine (hopes to organize a trip there; likens grouse hunting to “quail hunting on steroids” [26:26])
  • Ducks: Flooded timber is a favorite for Anna (“Nothing beats flooded timber... I love the serenity” [26:56]); also praises the California rice fields ([28:38])
• Tips for booking: Don’t go just on opening weekend—later in season can be just as good and less crowded.

Notable Quote:

“I love South Dakota. Everybody needs to do that once in their life. For sure, if you are a wing shooter.” – Anna Van Nostrand [25:02]
“Grouse hunting is like quail hunting on steroids.” – Anna Van Nostrand [26:26]

6. Gear and Shotguns—Fitting, Not Flashy Brands

• Shotgun Fit Is Paramount:

  • Fit trumps brand; likens shotguns to shoes—it’s about what fits your body, not what’s labeled “for women.” ([29:57])
  • Details cues for checking proper mount and fit: gun should come to your face, not your face to the gun; explains sight alignment cues ([35:24])
  • Recommends trying youth models for smaller-framed shooters.
  • Brief mentions of Beretta A400 (now discontinued), Benelli Ultralight, Benelli 12-gauge.

• Philosophy: Buy quality within your budget and prioritize a comfortable fit over accessories.

Notable Quote:

“Shotguns are like shoes. Honestly, it’s all personal preference.” – Anna Van Nostrand [29:57]
“The number one priority if you are bringing in a new shooter…is gun fit. If they understand the process but the tool…does not work for them, they will quit before they get started.” – Anna Van Nostrand [35:24]

7. Hunting Doesn’t Require Tons of Gear

• Anna and the host challenge the “outdoor industry” myth that you need heaps of gear to hunt.
• Start simple: focus on core necessities, add more gear only as your skills or comfort grows ([34:10])

Notable Quote:

“You don’t need all this stuff. No.” – Anna Van Nostrand [34:10]

8. On Building Community for Women in the Outdoors

• Founding of the “Women of Wingshooting” group—Anna’s commitment to providing mentorship, community, and resources for women looking to gain confidence and step into the world of shooting and hunting ([40:40])
• Emphasizes normalizing women (especially mothers) as hunters and mentors, and the lasting impact for families and the industry’s future.
• Advocates for more inclusive stories: “I didn’t know I was a girl...I just saw myself as a hunter.” ([40:40])

Notable Quote:

“I created this group Women of wing shooting. It’s so wonderful, and it has grown so much past wing shooting world. But I do use my stories of, you know, these past 10 years…Whether it was a lesson with a dog or raising a kid... it was the years prior of the grind.” – Anna Van Nostrand [41:59]

9. Kids, Conservation, and a Legacy Mindset

• DU (Ducks Unlimited) and Green Wing programs praised as fantastic resources for kids; Anna’s own daughter rose to leadership in collegiate DU and found both mentorship and lifelong friends in those circles ([51:07])
• Advice for parents: Encourage girls alongside boys, and recognize the social and professional opportunities available in the conservation world.

Notable Quote:

“Ducks Unlimited offers amazing opportunities for kids. I mean, that is their secret sauce that I don’t think people talk about enough.” – Anna Van Nostrand [51:11]

10. What’s Next for Anna V

• New website and online community for female wing shooters launching soon in 2026 ([53:46])
• Ongoing workshops, hunts, and mentorships—contact via annavoutdoors.com or Instagram (@AnnaVOutdoors_).
• Continued advocacy for community-building and empowering women in the outdoors.

Notable Quote:

“If you are so excited as a female to find your people, to find community online…we’re going to provide that.” – Anna Van Nostrand [54:16]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Gunfit:

  “The ideal thing…when you shoulder your gun, you don’t want to take your head to your gun, you want your gun to come to your head.” – Anna Van Nostrand [35:24]

• On Getting Started:

  “Just call the clay course and ask, tell them what your goals are.” – Anna Van Nostrand [12:36]

• On the Addictive Nature of Hunting Dogs:

  “You never just have one, you end up with two, and then you end up with six…” – Anna Van Nostrand [15:55]

• On Changing Outdoor Traditions:

  “Where are the chicks? …I realized that they might not know how to get to where I got…They may figure out what they want to do in the end, but they didn’t know the middle.” – Anna Van Nostrand [40:40]

• Normalizing Women Afield:

  “I didn’t know I was a girl… I just saw myself as a hunter. I had my own rig. I was hauling my own kid. I was pulling my own weight. I was just another hunter in my mind.” – Anna Van Nostrand [40:40]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• (05:16) Anna V’s late start in wing shooting
• (10:05–11:47) Building women’s shooting clinics; rapid success in competition
• (12:36–14:09) How to find coaches, ranges, and resources for beginners
• (15:06–19:39) Transition from pointers to labs; experiences in dog competitions and tournaments
• (24:27–26:56) Top hunting destinations for pheasant, quail, grouse, and ducks
• (29:57–37:56) In-depth discussion on shotgun fit and gear
• (40:40–43:04) Building women’s community in the outdoors; mentorship and legacy
• (51:07–53:12) The role of conservation groups and DU in youth education and opportunities
• (53:46–54:42) Anna V’s upcoming projects and community announcements

Additional Resources & How to Connect

• Website & Community: annavoutdoors.com
• Instagram: @AnnaVOutdoors_
• DU/Green Wing Youth Programs: ducks.org/greenwing

This episode offers loads of encouragement, practical wisdom, and infectious enthusiasm for anyone—especially women—curious about wing shooting, dog training, or simply starting out in the hunting and conservation world. Anna V’s honesty and humor make it clear: you don’t have to be born into hunting to become a champion or a leader in the outdoors community. Just say “yes” to the opportunity.