Olympic Gold Medalist Says Hunting Started it All

by
posted on September 25, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ginny_thrasher_f.jpg

Ginny Thrasher, a 19-year-old shooter from Springfield, Va., won the first gold medal of the 2016 Olympic Games for Team USA. Thrasher triumphed over silver medalist Du Li of China by a full point in the women’s 10-meter air rifle event, and she said it all began with a deer hunt.

“I got my first deer and I liked the adrenaline of pulling the trigger,” she said.

From those humble beginnings, which all hunters can relate to, Thrasher went on to shoot for her high-school air-rifle team, which ultimately landed her a spot on the West Virginia University rifle team. As if taking the NCAA championships in 2016 as a freshman wasn’t enough, Thrasher earned herself a spot on the 2016 Olympic team and claimed gold in Rio.

Latest

W H2026 09 F Elk Tactics EB355, Elk Bull, Copyright Mark Kayser Edt Jb
W H2026 09 F Elk Tactics EB355, Elk Bull, Copyright Mark Kayser Edt Jb

Elk Tactics: It’s Not All About the Bugles

It’s hard not to return the bugle of a bull in the wild. But the author is convinced tactics he uses with calling help seal the deal on public land.

Savage Arms Donates Five 250th Anniversary Rifles to IHEA-USA

Savage Arms has donated five Axis 2 Pro 250th Edition rifles to the International Hunter Education Association–USA (IHEA-USA) in recognition of the 250th anniversary of American independence. Only 60 of the rifles were produced.

5 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before My First Elk Hunt

I grew up hunting whitetails in the Midwest, and while I thought I was in “elk shape” on my first western hunt, I quickly learned that chasing elk at high elevation requires an entirely different level of fitness. You’ll likely hike for hours, oftentimes at high elevation, and many of trails you’ll follow are filled with deadfall and uneven rocks. If you’re fortunate enough to fill your tag, the real work starts. 

Ruger Halts Production of Several Models

On Oct. 13 Ruger issued a memo to distributors informing them that after an exhaustive internal review of its product portfolio—that weighed demand, manufacturing expense and complexity—production of four revolvers has been halted. Pending orders were cancelled. 

Head to Head: The 6.5 PRC vs. the 7mm PRC

Hornady's Precision Rifle Cartridge series has been a hit among hunters and target shooters alike, and within the lineup, the 6.5 PRC and the 7mm PRC have proven to be extremely popular. Let’s take a closer look into what makes this pair tick, and which might make the best choice for you.

Arizona Asks Public to Look Out for New World Screwworm

On Sept. 17 the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)—working with the New Mexico Livestock Board and New Mexico Department of Agriculture—announced that a horse was identified with a New World screwworm (NWS) infested wound in Grant County, N.M, which borders southern Arizona.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.