Argyle resident and self-proclaimed “outdoors-woman for life” Michelle Deagen recently returned from New York State after two weeks of shooting for a reality TV game show, and she took her skills with her. And when we say “shooting”, we really mean it.
The show, “Ammo & Attitude,” will air its second season on the Versus network beginning July 31 and will feature Deagen competing against five other women in various outdoors-related challenges for a shot at outdoor equipment, hunting trips and other prizes.
“It’s like ‘Survivor,’ with guns,” Deagen put, simply.
The competition took place on the 1,000-acre Lucky Star Ranch in Chaumont, located in north-central New York. Based on what Deagen experienced during taping, the show should be full of exciting challenges and lots of rain soaked days. The women camped in tents and competed under the elements in challenges like skeet and target shooting, camp building, fishing and “anything encompassing the out-of-doors”.
“The goal is to get women involved in outdoor sports, with an emphasis on hunting and shooting,” she said.
Deagen, 39, said her favorite outdoor activities are rifle and bow hunting for deer, turkey and hogs; fishing, camping and trap and skeet shooting.
“I wouldn’t say I’m great at any one particular activity, I just like to try new things, and enjoy being in the outdoors.” she said.
Deagen began practicing shooting her bow at Cinnamon Creek Ranch in Roanoke, TX and had been shooting skeet and sporting clays leading up to her departure to the Lucky Star Ranch.
Since her return from the show, she has maintained her practice schedule mainly as a personal challenge to “self-improve.” She has participated in Ladies Night competitions at Cinnamon Creek Ranch alongside the other shooters there who have been helping her improve her shooting skills.
Deagen applied to compete in the show and was contacted with the good news that she’d been selected in mid-January, and immediately began brushing up on her outdoor skills.
“I was so excited and nervous at the same time. I had never imagined doing something like this before,” she said. “From the very beginning, my family was so excited and supportive, and the time flew by. The hardest part was getting on the airplane and leaving. My phone was taken from me (by the producers) as soon as I arrived so I was unconnected with my family and friends for almost three weeks. It was a huge challenge getting used to the film crew always being around. I met some wonderful people while I was on set and I hope to stay in contact with them forever.”
Deagen, a University of Houston graduate, is married to her husband Wesley of 17 years and has a 16-year-old son, Jordan, and a daughter, 5-year-old Lily.
The actual competition took place May 14-28, but she is not able to discuss the specifics of the show or its outcome.
She said that her philosophy regarding the outdoors is in line with those of the TV show.
“I have so much fun being outdoors,” she said. “It is very important for me to get my son and daughter involved in the outdoors, and I love to see women take an active role in promoting outdoor sports.”
“Ammo & Attitude” airs Sundays at 12:30 p.m. on Versus beginning July 31.
.jpg)
