Lynn Pankey on living in a Realtree world
September 2, 2009 by Women’s Outdoor News
Lynn Pankey not only markets Realtree camo, she lives in it when not in her office. In fact, she may even live in it in her office — as Realtree appears on more casual clothing and she recently purchased a fleece Prois jacket to wear to work this fall. Lynn attended the first Team Huntress event in SD last June and talked about her job and her love of the outdoors while around the fire pit. We thought the readers of The WON would like to know some of her background and her philosophy.
And, thanks, Lynn. ~BB
The WON: What’s your affiliation with Realtree?
Lynn: I have had the pleasure of working for Realtree as their Marketing Assistant for three years and as the Executive Assistant to the VP of Marketing/Advertising for the last seven years. Barbara recalls me telling a story at the first ladies’ Team Huntress Event in South Dakota about not really being sure where I worked the first week I was at Realtree. I had actually applied for a job at a TEMP agency in town. Just came to Columbus from Miami, Fla., where I worked for a TEMP agency in Doral. I had to wait to join on board (replacing someone at the agency that was due to leave a month later). Since I was more than ready to get back to work, I asked if they could send me out on a few temping assignments while I waited to begin working for them. Believe it or not, my first assignment was for the Marketing Dept. at Realtree. During the first week working for Realtree, I answered the phone with, “Good Morning this is Raintree, how may I help you?” I went home and told my husband that I was working for Raintree – some sort of camouflage company. My husband almost fell out of his chair! “You can’t say Raintree – it has to be Realtree!” The next day I came back to work and asked to make sure …What a surprise when I found out where I actually worked! (No blonde jokes please!) After two weeks on the job my boss, Ray Lynch, approached me and asked if I would like to stay at Realtree and work with the Marketing Team. It has been a great experience each and every day! I work for a wonderful group of people!
The WON: Let’s talk about the women’s market. You mentioned that Tiffany Lakosky, as a spokesperson for Realtree, has inspired many women to pick up a bow or hunt for the first time. Care to elaborate on that?
Lynn: Oh my gosh, where do I start?! We are fortunate to have a wonderful crew of ladies promoting getting in the outdoors and enjoying your surroundings and the wonderful sport of hunting! Some started hunting later in life so they can relate to those of us that never really had the opportunity to pursue this sport younger. All will tell you that it continues to be a learning experience and that they learn something each time they go out in the field. I wish every woman that thought about hunting, but never really had the chance, could meet Tiffany LaKosky, Vicki Cianciaralo, Kandi Kisky and Ginger Moorehead. What is amazing is that each of these gracious ladies travel all across the US promoting the sport of hunting and still find time for their families!
Lynn loves learning about hunting, and here she is boning up on Berdette Zastrow’s excellent “Women’s Guide to Hunting.” Photo by Kirstie Pike.
Every one of these ladies would encourage you to approach your local sports clubs and try shooting a bow or gun. You never know whether you will like it or not until you actually try it! Now for my usual GRILLING: Working with a bow and/or gun is SAFE if you learn how to properly handle each the first time you lay eyes on them. And, I mean literally laying eyes on them! Picking up a weapon and shooting it does not qualify you as a safe hunter or proficient with either weapon. That’s where qualified instructors come in to the picture! I encourage everyone to visit a local gun or archery club and learn how to handle each weapon safely! I guarantee you that you will find female instructors, at most clubs, that can walk you thru the steps! The Archery Shooters Association and The National Shooting Sports Foundation each have information on their online sites for archery and shooting clubs in each state. Let me encourage you to check those listings for further information about clubs near your area.
The WON: What does today’s market tell you about women, hunting and the outdoors?
Lynn: I was amazed to read, on the home page of HunterSurvey.com, the other day, that there are currently 1.1 million female hunters in the US. That number almost blew me away! When we attend the Archery Trade Association & SHOT shows each year, I am able to visit with many avid lady hunters in the field. They express, many times, the need for additional product that is explicitly designed for female hunters. Our Licensees and retail partners are beginning to see the value in offering a broader selection of product for women in the field. They are listening to our pro staffers, who initially get to test new products, the outdoor ladies groups, outdoor guides, all that write into our and their websites with ideas and suggestions. We are thrilled to be offering PROIS and SHE SAFARI product in our camouflage patterns. These are new Licensees that carry female specific clothing. Camouflage clothing FINALLY fits! With those growing numbers of ladies in the field comes specific demands! Those demands include clothing that actually fits, is warm, wind- and waterproof, shoes and boots that fit and are warm and waterproof, guns that are lighter weight and fit arm lengths, smaller bows with shorter draw lengths. Our licensing, manufacturing and retail partners are hearing our cryie! Everyone is making great progress. As a female hunter, I sometimes want to expedite getting product on the shelves. But, with everything I have to remember to be patient. It’s about QUALITY not QUANTITY and our licensing and manufacturing partners are doing an excellent job ensuring that they make the right product offering available to the ladies that hunt. We are just as tough outdoors as our male counterparts and product needs to last through several beatings!
Lynn Pankey on far right, along with the gals of Team Huntress. We like Realtree!
The WON: What is the most popular camo Realtree pattern on the market with women?
Lynn: I would have to say our Realtree AP is #1, MAX-4 is #2 & MAX-1 is #3. We introduced our Realtree AP pattern a few years ago and it took off like a ROCKET! Bill [Jordan] changed a few features in the pattern which improved its effectiveness in the field. The pattern is neutral and a bit lighter in color and works very well in any surrounding and for any location to hunt. MAX-4 is very popular with the ladies that like to waterfowl hunt – wetlands surrounding pattern and MAX-1 – sage and brushy pattern works very well for the ladies that hunt out West. Both MAX-4 & MAX-1 have ended up being very popular lifestyle patterns, as well. If you go online to www.realtree.com and take a look at the product being offered in our RealStore, you will see several items for the ladies featured in our MAX-1 pattern. Also several of our licensees are offering bedspreads, show curtains, window curtains and furniture in many of our most current and popular patterns. This is pretty cool, especially if you have a lodge or cabin that you would like to decorate with an outdoor theme. Cabela’s, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, etc., offer various home style product with our camouflage patterns. Check out our web site for information about what licensees are currently offering home product and/or where you can locate your nearest Bass Pro, Cabela’s or Gander Mountain store locations.
To note: If you are in a quandary as far as what pattern to wear, based on terrain, not a problem, take a look at our camo pattern guide. This area will give you an idea of what pattern might be the most effective to wear, based on the location that you will be hunting.
The WON: Have you heard this theory? That you should really mix your top camo and bottom camo pattern to break it up even more?
Lynn: Yes, I have heard this theory. I, personally, have never tried it. Well, maybe I have. Thinking back, I remember going duck hunting with my husband Ken and using military camouflage mixed with whatever generic camo I could find in the store (’70s and ’80s) – but then, all camouflage really did look the SAME. I believe the practice of hunting this way is totally up to the individual. In today’s world camouflage patterns have gotten so effective that I believe it is no longer necessary to put this theory to the test.
The WON: And, you’re an outdoors gal … what do you like to do outdoors?
Lynn Pankey (far right) with fellow Camp Wild Girls (and one wild guy!) at Team Huntress. L-R Terri Lee Pocernich, Dave Olsen (note his Team Realtree pink shirt) and Stacey Huston. Photo by Barbara Baird.
Lynn: Well, let me start by saying I was a late bloomer when it came to getting involved in hunting! I loved to camp, hike and fish, with my Dad, as a little girl. I didn’t get involved with hunting until I was in my early 20’s. My husband decided to introduce me to the world of duck hunting, the first year we were married. My first and ONLY Christmas gift that first year was a shotgun! My husband’s answer to the puzzled look on my face was, “Boy are you in for a real treat!” I thought he was crazy until I was in the blind with the BOYS and shot my first duck. I think I drove them all crazy from that point on! First in the boat and first to get in the blind, every time we go now! They tell me I’m pretty quick for my age.
Then came Realtree and the introduction to TURKEY hunting at the spry age of 48! I have never been the same since! I love to hunt those ugly critters and would camp out the entire season just so I could be in the woods early enough! Bill Jordan and the fellas I work with in Marketing, at Realtree, are responsible for this addiction! They all encouraged me to try it and I just fell in love! I leave the deer, antelope and elk for the guys – too much work for me – I’m too lazy. I love to bird hunt!
The WON: How can folks reach you?
Lynn: Feel free to contact me at Realtree. I would love to chat with ladies that love to get out in the woods and enjoy the beauty and serenity of it all. You have your own outdoor television program available right before you! Just sitting under a tree before daylight and dusk you can watch a myriad of activity! I remember right before the end of the day, during a turkey hunt, watching several deer, fox and rabbits playing and running to a stream to drink water right before darkness. All passed very close to where I was sitting. Talk about your heart racing! I would love to hear more stories and why you like to be outdoors or your thoughts/questions on becoming an outdoors woman! 1.800.992.9968 or email: lpankey@realtree.com
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