Meet The Instructors
Here at Yow’s Hunting Camps, we are fortunate to be led by some of the top talents in the Pacific Northwest. Not only are our instructors great at what they do, they chose to volunteer as an instructor and are passionate about helping attendees succeed. Regardless of your skill level, our team of instructors is dedicated to helping you reach your goals and make the most of your time at camp. Below is a sampling of the instructors you may interact with.
Candy Yow
Candy grew up living in God’s Country, on large ranches, working hard but loving every day of it. Her love for Wildlife, horses, cattle and dogs came from that childhood. Her appreciation for healthy food we raised and processed ourselves came from that childhood. the love of sunrises, sunsets, thunderstorms, and even drought taught her to trust that He has this, and He will protect us in all situations. Growing up on a ranch you add 2 more holidays to your year, Branding Season & Hunting Season when everyone comes out to the ranch.
Candy is a mother, Wife and Grandma. She has trained horses and worked on ranches for over 30 years. As she slowed down on the training, she sold real estate, mostly horse facilities and ranches. In 2011, Candy met Randy Yow and the rest is history. Her love of Hunting and the Outdoors fit perfectly into his life. Upon meeting, Randy had just submitted some of his episodes he had filmed to the Pursuit Channel and Sportsman’s Channel, both accepted them, and Candy jumped in with both feet to help make that dream come true. Extreme Desire TV aired on Pursuit Channel for 3-4 years, prior to things going digital.
As the show fizzled out, Candy had a vision to create camps for women and youth to teach skills they need either for horses or for hunting. In 2013 this vision came to life as the first Ladies Hunting Camp, which was the original in Oregon. This has now grown to Ladies Camps, Youth Camps, and Advanced Skills Camps, each teaching the skills needed to keep you safe and successful in the Outdoors and Hunting. What a ride it has been for Candy, teaching literally hundreds of ladies and youth each year.
If you ask Candy what her favorite hunt is, it will always be helping someone else. From seeing a grandchild get their first harvest, a sister who lost her son in Afghanistan harvest a Big Horn Sheep, a Wounded Warrior or Hunt of a Lifetime, or even a hunt where nothing was harvested but the time in God’s Country was overwhelming. Her most precious memories include sharing that love of the Outdoors with others, helping them on their hunt, helping them see the utter beauty of the Sunrise, and helping them see they can do it no matter how overwhelming it may feel.
Telling these stories and sharing these memories has lead Candy in a new direction as she has started sharing these experiences on stage as a Motivational, Inspirational Speaker. She believes God put us in those stories to share them with others, especially as we get older. Her love and faith in others is perfect for the You Can Do it attitude. Her experiences and failures can be used to help others overcome or conquer their own and to pick up and move forward no matter how steep the climb.
You can find Candy and Randy in numerous Western States either hunting or helping and supporting others. If they’re not traveling, the Yow’s can be found at their home in Fort Rock, helping the next potential Outdoorsperson gain the skill and drive to live and love in God’s Country.
Randy Yow
Randy grew up in a hunting and outfitting family, spending every free moment in the woods, his love for wildlife, hunting and being in God’s Country led him to a life of Hunting and doing what he loves with his family and friends all across the West. Helping others achieve a goal is as rewarding as doing it yourself, and Randy has certainly helped a lot of people achieve their goals.
Randy is a Custom Home Builder by day, he is a Husband, Father and Grandpa, as well as standing strong for God, Country and Family. Randy is Blessed with so many memories of family and friends while out hunting and spending time in the backcountry. He believes and lives for, Back County, DIY, Public lands hunting, it isn’t always easy, but it is always real.
“At the first light of day I stand on the top of the mountain, hearing the Bugle far below in the misty canyon and the breeze blowing through the tops of the spruce. Thanks to all who let me be there! I am alive.”
~Randy Yow
Brooke Smith
My name is Brooke Smith, the owner of Prineville Athletic Club and Rafter BT Creations. I am a certified USA Archery instructor, NRA certified Range Safety officer and lover of the outdoors. I believe that the Lord put me on this earth to share my passion for the outdoors with others. At Yow Hunting Camps I have a couple different rolls. I am the lead instructor on the archery range and I also teach a class at the Ladies Camp, how to tow a trailer. I also fill in anywhere else that I might be needed. When I learned about hunting I had a terrible teacher. I work hard in every aspect of camps to make sure that campers learn in a safe, comfortable non judgmental environment. My instruction and friendship doesn’t end at the end of camp, I love staying in touch with all of the campers after camp and following their outdoor journeys.
I am also involved in various conservation groups. It is important to me to help protect our hunting heritage for not only ourselves but for future generations.
Heather Aldrich
Heather Aldrich is co-owner of Bravo!MFG.INC., home of the Super Grade Wall Tent. She has been part of the outdoor industry for close to 30 years. She is an active member of many conservation organizations and a life member of the American Bear Foundation.
She actively teaches predator hunting seminars and greatly enjoys mentoring new bear hunters in class and in the field. She firmly believes in families getting into the outdoors and loves encouraging them in their outdoor pursuits. This is one of the reasons she loves the Yow’s Hunting camps so much. Heather is a staunch supporter of sound predator management. She is the mother of two and resides in SW Washington with her husband John.
Tara Grassman
Hi my name is Tara Grassman, my husband of 43 years and I are retired from farming in Christmas Valley where we have lived for a very long time, I still run tractor for my kids when they need a hand which I enjoy very much. We have been fortunate to be able to travel to Africa, New Zealand, Hawaii and Canada hunting which was amazing! We have three children, the boy’s took over our farm, our daughter and family live in Eagle Point, we have 9 grandchildren we tragically lost our grandson Mason in March of 2022, we have 2 great grandchildren and one more on the way so we have been blessed. I enjoy my family, gardening, hunting, fishing and quilting and have donated several quilts to camp. If you have any questions I’m happy to share my thoughts.
Jeff Mack
My name is Jeff Mack and I teach the turkey class on instruct on the shotgun range. I have been involved with Ladies Hunt Camp ever since it came to Dry Creek Ranch. My wife April and I spend most of our free time hunting or riding our horses. I do hunt big game, but I love to bird hunt, whether it’s turkey, upland, or waterfowl. Residing in the Burns, Oregon area we have the opportunity to hunt birds a lot with our 2 German Wirehair dogs.
I have been a hunter education instructor, volunteer for pheasant and turkey hunting workshops, and an instructor at Ladies and Youth Hunt Camps.
I do not come as a decorated shotgun competitor with multiple instructor certifications. What I do bring is a practical approach to shooting a shotgun that will provide you with the foundation on which to build your skills.
Jessie Gatchet
Jessica (Jessie) Gatchet is a resident of La Pine Oregon. Her passion is hunting, fishing, trapping, and taxidermy! She owns her own taxidermy shop called Her Wild Adventures. When she isn’t working on building her business or spending time in the woods she spends her time with her husband and 3 dogs. She loves teaching others about hunting whether it is with a rifle, shotgun or bow. Her favorite animals to hunt above all else are predators but mostly bear. She loves chatting about her passions and would love to hear all your questions you have!
Lisa Atkin
Lisa Atkin (experienced huntress and survival enthusiast) and Hailey Cvitanovich (experienced huntress and Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteer). Between our life experiences and love of the great outdoors, we hope to share our passion in empowering women to get out and safely enjoy the incredible rugged terrain we live in. With over 30 years cumulative experience we look forward to sharing our knowledge with you, and learning through shared knowledge of everyone in the class.
Hailey Cvitanovich
Hailey Cvitanovich (experienced huntress and Search & Rescue (SAR) volunteer) and Lisa Atkin (experienced huntress and survival enthusiast). Between our life experiences and love of the great outdoors, we hope to share our passion in empowering women to get out and safely enjoy the incredible rugged terrain we live in. With over 30 years cumulative experience we look forward to sharing our knowledge with you, and learning through shared knowledge of everyone in the class.
Steve Baker
I’ve been with Work Sharp, The Knife Sharpening Company, for 27 years, starting out on the assembly line before working my way up to New Product Designer and now Product Line Manager. Over the years I have sharpened a Lot of knives & I truly enjoy helping others pick up new skills. I’ve hunted and fished most of my life, but really got back into it these past few years. While archery has always been my first love, I also love to get out shooting, mushroom hunting, and just being outside.
Toby Gangler
Hey, I’m Toby. I’m one of the instructors here at Yow’s Hunting Camp, and I’ve got a deep passion for chasing elk—especially with a bow. There’s nothing like getting in close, working a bull with the right calls, and seeing it all come together at full draw. I’ve spent years dialing in my elk calling and learning how to read animals in real time to create high-percentage setups.
I also teach rifle fundamentals here at camp. My focus is on real-world hunting scenarios—building solid shooting positions off natural terrain, understanding your optics, and making the shot count when it matters most. It’s not about punching paper from a bench—it’s about being ready when that opportunity shows up in the field.
From calling predators in the snow to packing bulls out of deep canyons, I’ve put plenty of boot miles on the mountain. But the best part of this lifestyle? Helping others build confidence, skills, and a deep respect for the hunt.
At Yow’s, we’re not just teaching—we’re passing on a tradition and helping hunters of all levels take their next step.