The Becoming an Outdoors Woman Deluxe (13) retreat will make an ideal gift for the discriminating woman in your life. Lots of outdoor fun without the inconveniences of camping!

The Arizona Wildlife Federation will be sponsoring a winter Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop. The dates are Jan. 25-27. It will be in the Goldfield Mountain Range. This retreat will showcase the beauty and wonder of our desert.

The place is Saguaro Lake Ranch, which is a historical resort-style retreat located in the Tonto National Forest in the heart of the Arizona Sonoran desert. The banks of the Salt River are a fly-rod cast away and Stewart Mountain Dam, which backs up Saguaro Lake, is a short walk. This unique venue provides both trout fishing and bass fishing opportunities for BOW participants. An opportunity to get out on the water is offered with the still-water paddling class.

Arizona Audubon will be there pointing out the huge variety of birds, winter visitors and native. We will have a session on hunting javelina and a predator calling class. For those who feel the need to explore the desert, photography, and trick track trail Sonoran style will be offered. A 2 ½ -hour trail ride is also available.

Don Wells and Jean Groen, authors of Foods of the Superstitions will be there with a session on edible and medicinal plants of the Southwest desert. There will also be a desert survival class and the Dutch oven class will be preparing the evening meals on Friday and Saturday. We have tried to find something to interest everyone.

The cost is $380, which includes instruction, program materials, and use of equipment, deluxe lodging and meals Friday through Sunday lunch. The trail ride has an additional cost.

Details of class descriptions can be found at http://www.azwildlife.org or call 480-644-0077.