This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources apparently thinks that the thought of getting outdoors alone creates anxiety among some women.
So, in order to combat that perception, the state agency is hosting a women's only hand-to-hand combat and self-defense training clinic October 17 and 18 at its Cedar City office.
The event, organized for Women in the Outdoors and hosted by the DWR and National Wild Turkey Federation, will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. To Register, call Heather Talley at 435-868-8756. The fee is $20, which will be given to the Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Center in Cedar City.
"The event will help you feel safer through learning proven self-defense techniques," said Talley, regional wildlife recreation specialist for the DWR.
Dan Kiddler, a member of the Marine Corps' elite Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Company, will instruct the two-day clinic.
He said that learning principles of surprise speed and violence of action, coupled with awareness, can help women feel confident they can avoid an attack.
"If you can't avoid an attack," said Kiddler, "you can quickly incapacitate an attacker in order to escape. By learning the same battle-proven techniques used by our military forces, you'll become more empowered. And you'll have greater confidence and peace of mind."
This is one of several Women in the Outdoors events hosted by National Wild Turkey Federation Utah chapters. Others have included archery, shotgun shooting and various introduction to hunting classes.