Taking Aim – More than a Hunting Book
I’m a little late to the party. Eva Shockey’s Taking Aim hit bookshelves in August of 2017. I’ve had it in my Kindle queue for a while, I knew I wanted to get to it sooner than later. As I boarded the plane for the SHOT Show, it proved to be wonderful timing. Reading it brought me back to my first SHOT, that first job in the industry and all the excitement and even fear that came with it.
Being at the trade show also got me thinking. Made me reflect on what I was doing day in and day out and what I wanted my future to look like.”
Eva Shockey, Taking Aim
Taking Aim: Daring to Be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors (Amazon affiliate link) finds an ideal balance as a read for experienced men and women of the outdoors and those who know nothing about hunting or shooting. Eva and co-author A. J. Gregory avoid lingo and instead insert clear and concise descriptions of terms and concepts in hunting in a way that doesn’t bog down the book. Nestled inside the memoir are the answers to difficult topics like posed trophy shots, the act of taking an animal’s life and other tough questions.
Reading about Eva’s journey from Eva herself is what I most looked forward to. Personally, I find it fascinating to learn how people come into the shooting and hunting lifestyle. As a young professional in the firearms industry, I remember when Eva burst onto the outdoor and hunting scene. Let’s face it, having a father as a living legend in the outdoors, it can be easy to assume Eva would follow in Jim Shockey’s footsteps. Instead, she shares a journey that is less expected. Eva also doesn’t hold back and writes not only about her successes but the hard lessons learned too. That’s something I appreciate in today’s world of social media and the perception of perfection. Reading her descriptions of range time sessions and experiences in the field with her father brought tears to my eyes as I recalled learning how to shoot and hunt with my dad.
I wonder if he shares my disappointment. To my surprise, Dad puts his arm around me and says, ‘That’s exactly what you needed to do, Eve. Don’t take the shot unless you’re absolutely ready. You made the right choice. And don’t worry, you’ll have more chances.'”
Beyond the outdoors aspect of the book, it’s not surprising to see how Eva is so successful. Taking Aim lays the foundation of how she has developed her own voice in a male-dominated industry. One look at Eva’s Instagram will showcase how she actively engages with her fans beyond just “work.” She has many connection points with followers, whether it’s hunting and shooting her bow, experiencing everyday #momlife as well as doses of fashion, self-care and a good bit of fun thrown in. She’s become an icon on her own, breaking out of the classic stereotypes.
Let’s face it, most readers won’t go hunting for the first time on an African safari, nor will their experiences be filmed for outdoor television. In that sense Taking Aim is by no means a typical success story. Truthfully, there are very few who could follow in Eva’s specific footsteps. That doesn’t make her story less inspirational. Throughout the book, she encourages you to make the most of what you have while working hard, taking some chances and creatively molding opportunities into a life and career that works for you. There are plenty of nuggets of inspiration as Eva shares the kind of wisdom that only happens through experience. Taking Aim is the kind of book that resonates with hunters, female entrepreneurs, teenage girls and parents alike. I’m very glad I read it.
