Where did you grow up, what’s your earliest memory of hunting, and who got you into it?

My earliest memory of hunting was with my father, Alex Langbell. He’s a big waterfowl hunter, and I remember sitting in a goose blind with him in 1997. There’s a photo of me dressed in oversized camo with binoculars, and even though we didn’t shoot anything, I remember thinking the decoys were real birds. I also recall napping — isn’t that what most seven-year-olds do in a hunting blind? Later, I started shooting crows with my grandpa in Colorado during school breaks. My grandparents loved birdwatching on their ranch and the crows preyed on native songbirds, so we’d spend time shooting them.

What was the first gun you owned, and what did you hunt with it?

My first gun was a 20-gauge Remington 870. The first thing I shot with it was a rabbit, and I felt awful afterward. I think it’s because I had a pet bunny and couldn’t separate the two in my mind. Even now, I struggle with shooting rabbits — it’s just a personal thing.

How did you get into photography, and do any skills from hunting crossover?

Photography fell into my lap. I wish I had a better answer, but when I picked up a camera in 2013 it felt so natural. I’ve always been artistic and creative, painting for many years, and photography became an extension of that. I started photographing my bird dog and waterfowl, and it just grew from there. Now I mostly capture big game, but I’d love to return to my roots with bird dogs and waterfowl.

What’s been your most memorable hunt, and were you using Hornady ammo?

I am so fortunate to have so many memorable hunts and it’s so hard to pick one, but here are two standout memories:

Hippo bull hunt in Zambia using Hornady 300gr DGX® Bonded in 375 H&H Magnum. A hippo was my bucket list animal and watching the recovery of a 4,000lb animal from the Luangwa River is quite impressive. After the hunt we took the meat to a local school and I would be lying if I said that it wasn’t a heavy experience. I was so thankful. Some experiences change your life and this was one of them.

Canadian moose hunt in Alberta using 300 Win Mag Hornady 180gr CX™ Outfitter. We hunted hard for nine days in rain, sleet, snow and hail. I ended up staying one more day and we called in a nice bull moose to 75 yards from almost a mile away on the last morning. His paddles were glowing in the sun like shiny car doors, and he came in drooling and grunting. It was everything you want in a moose hunt and more. I will never forget the pack out of the mountains in the dark on horseback with wolves sounding off on both sides of us, playfully chattering under the starlit sky. A seriously special moment.

What’s at the top of your Hornady shopping list right now?

Ammo is always at the top of my list. I’m excited to try out my new 7mm PRC this season. I also love the Hornady Security line, especially their RAPiD® Safes.

What species are on your hunting bucket list? Any exciting hunts planned?

For a long time, my number one was a hippo but now I’d love to hunt moose and brown bear. I have a trip planned to Russia in 2025 for those animals. This year though, I’m focused on my stepson, who’s 12 and really into hunting.

Watching him develop a love for the outdoors and shoot his first animals has been so rewarding. You only get some many firsts in life, and I am happy I am experiencing them with him. He has shot three animals with me now and they were all perfect shots, with Hornady ammo of course! He had a very high IQ shot on an axis deer this year and I was very proud. The deer was quartering away hard in thick brush and about to disappear. He placed the bullet behind the back rib and out the opposite front shoulder.

What draws you back to the outdoors as both a hunter and photographer?

It’s the full experience for me. Being outdoors gives me a sense of freedom I don’t feel anywhere else. I love pushing myself, watching animals in their natural habitats and knowing I’m providing for my family. Our household eats 95-percent wild game and I take pride in that. It’s a huge part of why I hunt.

What advice would you give women looking to get into hunting, photography or even taxidermy?

Find a mentor, take taxidermy classes (that’s how I started), and just pick up a camera. Focus on something you love, but don’t forget to take care of yourself. If your passion ever starts to feel like a job, take a step back and re-evaluate.

When I was younger, I thought I needed to juggle multiple things to succeed in this male-dominated industry. I did taxidermy, photography, hunting and tried to make a relationship work — all while helping raise step kids. I felt like I was working harder than anyone but getting nowhere. In my 30s, I realized I was spreading myself too thin. Now, I focus on what’s most important and let it grow. Great things take time. One piece of advice changed my life: “If it makes you happy, do it. If it doesn’t, then don’t.” I live by that now.