Barbara Baird

So, do you want to be a competition shotgun shooter, but can’t devote your entire life to the process? We talked to Syren pro-shooter Ashley Butcher, who travels the country, competes at the highest levels in the shotgun sports, yet manages a professional career and family life. We asked Ashley to give us tips for balancing professional careers and competition shooting schedules. Read More

What happens when two Texas female powerhouses combine their love of shooting with their desire to give back to their community? This May, it’s the 2^nd Annual “Guns, Girls & Pearls” event, the brainchild of friends Betsy Price and Linda Halbouty, of Fort Worth. The event raises money for the United Way, and in particular the United Way of Tarrant County Women United fund. Read More

Maybe you’ve attended a Syren Demo Day, and fallen in love with how a shotgun designed to fit women actually does fit women (and therefore, feels great) and now you’ve decided to buy a shotgun. Or maybe you’ve heard about Syren shotguns from friends and family? Or maybe you’ve seen content and ads online and in topnotch magazines? What’s next and how can you get a Syren shotgun into your hands quickly? Read More

We interviewed Megan Watts, aka “the Waterfowl Queen,” back in 2021. We wanted to check with her to see if she could further enlighten us with waterfowl hunting tips for this year. We caught her at a time in her life when she’s super busy; besides getting out to hunt (which is her passion) and fulfilling duties as a pro-staffer for Syren, she’s also completing training for being a dental hygienist. Megan hunts with Syren’s XLR5 Waterfowler. Read More

When you head to a big shoot like NSCA Nationals, or even to a local shoot like your home clubs put on, people may wonder – especially if they see you carrying a loaded range bag – what’s in your range bag? We asked Syren’s pro-staff to reveal what they pack, and also, we asked Syren’s special Facebook group, Syren Owners Group, for advice, too. Read More

Last fall, Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom, who is featured at The WON as a “Syren Savvy” columnist, invited us (photographer and me) over to a tournament – a national competition known as the Browning Tournament of Champions – for hunting dogs, hosted by the National Upland Classic Series (NUCS), sanctioned by the National Kennel Club. Read More

The past year was tough. Both of my parents died within a few days of each in the summer of 2021. It fell upon me to write their obituaries. As a result, it became evident to me about the importance of living (as my little sister says) “between the dash.” You know, it’s the dash you see in obituaries located between a birthday and a death date – all the things that people accomplish and become during that space, their lives here on earth. As part of living between the dash, I decided that there is one skill I want to improve in the near future: sporting clays shooting. Fortunately, for me, I can do this feat in relative proximity to my home here in the Ozarks of Missouri, and even more fortunate, I purchased a wonderful shotgun – the Syren Julia Sporting. Read More

If you’re looking for the right shotgun instructor, it’s important to ask the right questions. I visited Syren’s stellar Facebook group and asked these two questions: “If you’re a student, what types of questions have you asked or wished you had asked in the past?” and “If you’re an instructor, what do you think students should find out about their future instructors?” As usual, the answers amazed me and what these women had to say will benefit you in how to choose the right shotgun instructor. It might save you some money, too! Read More

Syren pro-staffer Emi Smith (pronounced Amy) had just arrived home to Montana, fresh off an Amateur Trapshooting Association (ATA) competition in Tucson, Arizona, and we caught up with her to chat about what she’s doing these days and also, about 4-H Shooting. Emi is passionate about two things, it appears: improving her own scores and helping others to learn how to shoot. Read More

We wondered. Where have Syren shotguns been in the wide world of shooting and hunting? So, we asked women in the Syren Owners Group on Facebook to tell us about their experiences. We heard from Tiffany Dawn right away, who traveled to South Africa with her Tempio Sporting last June for her first Safari. Read More

I met duck hunters Janice Gaudern and Judy Hall while in Arkansas last year, at Bust A Duck Guide Service in Gregory, Arkansas. The two women and Judy’s trusty companion, Gunnar, traveled to Arkansas from their home in Tampa, Forida. The first thing I noticed about the women is that they each carried a Syren XLR5 Waterfowler. Read More

If you hunt for upland birds, you know. Having a gun that fits enhances your ability to bag more birds. We checked with several Syren pro-staff and ambassadors to see why. Read More

Whenever I need sage advice from real-deal shooters, I tap into the wealth of knowledge available at the Syren Owners Group on Facebook. For this topic, “How to Keep Your Cool While Shooting in the Heat,” I asked Syren owners to give us some tips for shooting on a blazing hot range or field somewhere.

Here’s what they told me.

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Syren pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom has been busy this past year, teaching shotgun and guiding field hunts in central Virginia, at her business, Virginia Shooting Sports. With the trend of more people hunting, we wanted to check with Kate about transitioning from the shotgun sports to the hunting field and what that entails. Read More

We’re delighted to focus this post on Syren’s “Owners Group” on Facebook, set up especially for people who own Syren shotguns, with this purpose: “Post your photos, tell us your Syren stories and share your experiences and discussions with other Syren owners right here.”

I own a Syren Elos shotgun, and it’s been hunting in pheasant fields of Kansas and Nebraska, and out on skeet and trap ranges here in Missouri. It has not disappointed. I love the balance, and the overall design of this gun. It’s also beautiful.

I joined the Facebook group shortly after it launched, and again, no disappointments there. It’s a respectful place where people gather and do what outdoor lovers do – share their stories, ask questions about shotgunning and sometimes, rarely, ask how to correct a problem.
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Whereas it’s always been important to support charities, coming off the pandemic lockdown, it’s more crucial that society figures out ways to fund worthy organizations. We talked to Syren ProStaff member Ashley Butcher about how to host a charity shooting event. Hopefully, her advice will kickstart others to load up and head out to the shooting range to raise some cash for good causes.
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Meet Syren Brand Ambassador Megan Watts, aka the “Waterfowl Queen,” on Instagram. In this feature, we thought you’d like to hear about why she’s named herself the queen of the waterfowl hunters’ world. This was an interview conducted by Barbara Baird, the Publisher/Editor of Women’s Outdoor News (aka The WON). Read More

Syren’s pro-staffer Kate Ahnstrom exemplifies a strong woman who knows where she’s going and knows where she’s been. From an exciting career in the airline business to becoming a well-reputed shooting instructor in one of Virginia’s finest shooting schools, Kate manages to get it done and appears to do so effortlessly. Add to that her interesting hobby of raising draft horses, hunting in New Zealand and fishing at Hatteras, all these choices in her life combine to make a jet-setting, yet grounded woman. We knew you’d like to learn more about Kate’s lifestyle. Read More