When I was growing up, the only women I knew who hunted at the time were my mom, myself and this fascinating woman named Shirley Grenoble, who wrote these amazing hunting stories. Back then, few women hunted. We used to joke and say, “we hunted before it was cool for women to hunt.” Shirley was a true pioneer for women in the outdoor industry.

I met Shirley many years ago. One day, I got a call and on the other end of the line was Shirley Grenoble. I will not lie; I was a little star struck … “Shirley Grenoble was calling ME?” She wanted to do a story on women who taught hunter education for the Pennsylvania Game Commission and she was told I was one of those women. I was, and of course, obliged. We met and talked and she got her story. But something more happened that day. We had a connection. Shirley stayed in contact with me, and I did with her as well. We became friends.

We met one evening for dinner at a local restaurant, right before turkey season started that year. Shirley and I told many hunting and adventure stories and then began talking about our faith. We sat and talked about Jesus for hours. In fact, the waitress had to kindly ask us to leave because they needed to close. We laughed and, as we said our goodbyes, Shirley said that she could not hunt on opening day, but if I got a gobbler, I was to stop by her bookstore and show her. Lord willing, I did get a big ol’ gobbler opening day and I did stop by in camo to her little bookstore in Hollidaysburg, The Booktique.

She was so excited, and we stood on the street admiring the beautiful bird in the back of my vehicle. As I was done telling Shirley about the demise of this big thunder chicken, she asked me if I ever wrote about my adventures.

Shirley Grenoble (from left), Teresa Patterson and Joanie Haidle spent many hours hunting together. The trio got the nicknames of the “Blonde Battalion” and the one that stuck the most was the “Femme Fatales” of turkey hunting. Courtesy photo

I brushed it off, not thinking much of it. Shirley, being Shirley and those of you who knew Shirley, she was persistent. Every time I saw Shirley she would say, “you need to write. Or do seminars … tell your stories!”

Long story short, I did just that.

When my first story hit publication, Shirley called me all excited and so happy and full of encouragement to continue. She was the first one who called when she read my articles in magazines or online. Shirley came to any seminars I was asked to host. She was there at my house to watch the premier of the hunting show I filmed for when it debuted on the Sportsman Channel. In fact, she even wrote about that, too. She was a great supporter.

Along came Joanie

Shirley talked about her friend Joanie Haidle and could not wait for me to meet her. She invited me to come to a seminar they were holding at the Altoona Mirror Alleghenies Adventure Outdoor show. Joanie and I became instant friends, and I am so blessed to call her one of my best friends. Our friendship was built on more than hunting; it was on all our strong faith. We felt it was a divine friendship. Only God could have placed the three of us together with the same interests and same faith in Him. How we all became friends was purely a God thing.

Legendary outdoor writer Shirley Grenoble is seen holding a buck in one of her favorite hunting photos. Courtesy photo

Many times, Shirley would write stories about Joanie and me, and we would not even know she was doing so until it hit the paper.

One time, I remember I wrote a silly turkey hunting poem and emailed to her just for a laugh. She emailed back and said, “I love it! That was hysterical!” a couple of weeks later, when I opened the Altoona Mirror to read her article, BAM … there was my poem in her story. Honestly I did not think it was that good … I just did it for a laugh but was happy she enjoyed it.

Through the years, there were turkey hunts, dinner dates, hunting seminar presentations and sports shows the three of us shared. We got the nicknames of the “Blonde Battalion” and the one that stuck the most was the “Femme Fatales” of turkey hunting.

All our times together were full of life happenings and many, many hunting stories, some comical mishaps, many laughs, sharing in our faith, turkeys that got away and ones that met their demise with us. But most importantly, we prayed for each other. We cherished all the time spent together and looked forward to the next.

Outdoor pioneer

Outdoors writer and turkey hunter Shirley Grenoble. Courtesy photo

Shirley was not only a pioneer in the outdoor industry for women, but for the sport of turkey hunting and hunting in general.

Shirley’s passing led to conversations with friends and others in the outdoor industry. I wouldn’t have nearly enough paper to write all of our conversations and chats about her, but here are a few notable from some that she was close with.

— Legendary hunter and outdoor personality, Bob Foulkrod, whom I got to know through Shirley, had always credited her for opening the doors for many in the hunting industry due to her articles she would write about them.

Shirley hunted bear, deer and caribou with Bob. Not only did she write about each adventure, I remember her telling me these stories in our time together. Bob stated to me, “From the first time Shirley walked into my Deer Camp it was the start of a lifetime friendship. She was a lady very comfortable in her own skin. The memories and friendship we had will last a lifetime. She opened many doors for folks in the industry. Endless people. Shirley, I will miss you my great friend! Until we meet again, love you!”

When I started to write, Bob Foulkrod was my first “interview” and it was Shirley who spoke to him at a show I was attending who I think just may have persuaded him to do that interview … many years ago. I am forever thankful that I got to meet and become friends with this legend of the hunting world.

Shirley Grenoble is remembered as a storyteller and writer who wrote for a variety of outdoor publications, including newspapers and magazines, for 50 years. She also appeared as a banquet and seminar speaker on various outdoor subjects for 30 years. Courtesy photo

— Walter Bingaman is a retired regional director for the National Wild Turkey Federation. I got to know Walt, again through Shirley. I was tasked with acquiring speakers, talent and ideas for a local sports show. I told Shirley I had heard that the NWTF had some cool activities that they could bring in for kids and would help get the word out about the organization. She said, “I know just who you call.” She gave me

Walter’s name and the rest is history.

Turkey-hunting legend

Here are some of Walter Bingaman’s reflections on Shirley:

“When first hired, I went through the many chapter groups that I was charged with introducing myself. At the first meeting with the Allegheny Mountain Chapter, I learned that Shirley was their longtime treasurer. I was very excited to meet this turkey-hunting legend. I remember in the mid-’70s reading one of her many articles in PA Game News, especially one about her being shot while spring turkey hunting. Through the years, she impressed me with her storytelling, often speaking at PA NWTF state level meetings. 

Shirley Grenoble (center), stands with (from left) Joanie Haidle, Bob Foulkrod and Teresa Patterson. “From the first time Shirley walked into my Deer Camp it was the start of a lifetime friendship,” Foulkrod recalled. “She was a lady very comfortable in her own skin. The memories and friendship we had will last a lifetime. She opened many doors for folks in the industry.” Courtesy photo

“Word spread through the turkey-hunting industry about an outdoor writer from Pennsylvania who got shot while spring gobbler hunting. It became known that this was a lady and a member of the NWTF national board.

“She became a celebrity and got invited to hunt with and visit celebrities like Will Primos, Cuz Strickland, Terry Dury (who told me about the Shirley Shuffle, which is her run up to a harvested turkey on video), and so many more.

“Word of this lady made it to the famous Fred Bear, who packed up a brand-new bow, signed it and sent it to her.

“The state board of the NWTF planned for her to attend the National Convention in Nashville. The word spread fast through the exhibit hall that Shirley was here. Using a motorized scooter, she made her way around visiting so many of her old friends. It was a great event.

“If you were hunting with her, you wouldn’t dare to even think for one minute you were taking her or guiding her. You were asked to get her to a spot and set a pickup time. She wanted no hand holding. (Joanie and Teresa can vouch for this).

“A story she shared from a national board meeting was especially memorable to me.

“While attending a national board meeting hosted by the Alabama State Board of the NWTF, a gobbler hunt was to take place for one morning of the meeting. Shirley was the only female attendee who hunted and hunted by herself. There was one and only one turkey harvested that day (out of about 35 hunters) — and you can probably guess who got it.

“On her birthday one time, I called her and sang (If you can call it that coming from me) ‘Happy Birthday.’ She hollered repeatedly, ‘Stop! Stop! I need my hearing you know, I am the organist and choir director for my church!’

There was only one Shirley, and I, like so many others, will never forget her or her stories.”

A friend to all

Tim Flanigan, outdoor writer, wildlife photographer and author stated, “Those who knew Shirley Grenoble knew a friend. Her life was one of caring and sharing; caring for and about our wildlife resources, and sharing her vast knowledge of the sport, sportsmanship, hunter safety and hunter responsibilities. Shirley was known and respected as an expert turkey hunter, yet a humble standout in a generally male-dominated world with a passion for helping others succeed. Her generous mentorship introduced many female sportspersons to the fascinating world of hunting. She was also an extremely well-read librarian who delighted in directing novice or avid readers to classic literature. Hers is a lasting legacy of generously sharing her expertise in these divergent worlds. Shirley was a friend to all.” Well said, Tim.

The storyteller

I remember when we had David Blanton from Realtree at the local sport show and I was walking around with him. He looked at me in almost awe and said, “Is that Shirley Grenoble? … I need to stand in line and talk with her.”

Shirley was a storyteller, which I think made her a fantastic writer. Shirley wrote for outdoor publications, including newspapers and magazines, for 50 years.

Her writings appeared in Outdoor Life, Pennsylvania Sportsman, Fur-Fish-Game, Archery World, American Forests, Turkey and Turkey Hunting, Aqua-Field Turkey, Beards and Spurs, Keystone Outdoors, Outdoor Times and others.

Shirley was also a writer of weekly columns appearing in the Altoona Mirror.

She was a member of National Wild Turkey Federation since 1974; served a term as first woman member of the federation’s board of directors; and served two terms as first woman president of the Pennsylvania chapter. Shirley was also a banquet and seminar speaker on various outdoor subjects for 30 years.

Shirley Grenoble had been a judge for scores of turkey-calling contests, including at the Eastern Outdoor Show in Harrisburg and masters competition of NWTF.

She was an instructor in both New York’s and Pennsylvania’s “Becoming an Outdoor Woman” programs since their inception.

I could go on and on. Perhaps I will start writing again and share some of our adventures. But for now, I hope she is happy that, because of her influence, I am writing now. This time about her. (Honestly, she would probably be saying, “Don’t write about me, write about you and Joanie”).

My friend was God fearing, faithful, supportive, humble, caring, stubborn, tenacious and outspoken. She was uniquely herself and unapologetic for it.

I am happy my friend Shirley is no longer suffering and is now whole and healed.

I am so thankful to have been blessed with her friendship. She made me a better person by giving me the confidence to write of my hunting heritage and adventures. She broke the glass not only for the female hunters, but turkey hunting and many in the outdoor hunting industry. Her influence on Joanie and me will continue. Just as she told us to do.

Shirley, I know I will see you again and we can go turkey hunting my friend.

Joanie and I will continue chasing those gobblers to make you proud. Forever in our thoughts and hearts. Rest in peace to a true legend, my friend, Shirley Grenoble.

Retired regional director for the National Wild Turkey Federation Walter Bingaman recalls a story about Shirley Grenoble: “While attending a national board meeting hosted by the Alabama State Board of the NWTF, a gobbler hunt was to take place for one morning of the meeting. Shirley was the only female attendee who hunted and hunted by herself. There was one and only one turkey harvested that day (out of about 35 hunters) — and you can probably guess who got it.” Courtesy photo

Shirley Grenoble was a member of National Wild Turkey Federation since 1974; served a term as first woman member of the federation’s board of directors; and served two terms as first woman president of the Pennsylvania chapter. Courtesy photo