Olympic Gold Medalist Says Hunting Started it All

by
posted on September 25, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
ginny_thrasher_f.jpg

Ginny Thrasher, a 19-year-old shooter from Springfield, Va., won the first gold medal of the 2016 Olympic Games for Team USA. Thrasher triumphed over silver medalist Du Li of China by a full point in the women’s 10-meter air rifle event, and she said it all began with a deer hunt.

“I got my first deer and I liked the adrenaline of pulling the trigger,” she said.

From those humble beginnings, which all hunters can relate to, Thrasher went on to shoot for her high-school air-rifle team, which ultimately landed her a spot on the West Virginia University rifle team. As if taking the NCAA championships in 2016 as a freshman wasn’t enough, Thrasher earned herself a spot on the 2016 Olympic team and claimed gold in Rio.

Latest

Lede Divers
Lede Divers

A Deep Dive into Late-Season Divers

When he was 12 the author shot a limit of ring-necks when he was hunting for wigeon. It wasn’t the last time divers turned a slow day of duck hunting into a memorable one. The season might be over, but take a step back into the very end of the season with Scott Haugen, as he takes on some divers.

New for 2026: Knight & Hale Deer Call Lineup

Knight & Hale Game Calls, has launched its latest line of deer calls, a collection which includes the EZ-Grunter, EZ-Grunter Xtreme, Death Chamber and Ultimate Rattle Bag. Read on for a detailed description of each.

#SundayGunday: Taurus Raging Hunter 350 Legend

On this week's #SundayGunday, we're taking a look at a capable hunting revolver that’s chambered in a caliber you’re more likely to see in a rifle: the 350 Legend. That’s right, Taurus has released their large-frame Raging Hunter in the whitetail-thumping 350 Legend cartridge. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

Recipe: Deep-Rooted Venison Stew

Several friends and I often circle back to the same campfire debate about which wild game makes the best stew. Mule deer usually leads the pack, with moose close behind, but any well-handled game meat can stand out when you build the right layers of flavor. The real magic starts long before the broth simmers. It comes from the vegetables and mushrooms you choose.

61-Year-Old Elk-Hunting Dream Fulfilled in Michigan

Michigan elk hunters faced challenging weather and storm-ravaged terrain to harvest 153 elk in 2025. That didn’t deter Bruce Nelson of Hastings, Mich. He applied for an elk license every year Michigan has held a drawing.

New for 2026: Blaser R8 Professional 2.0

The Blaser R8 Professional 2.0 promises to be the modern evolution of the iconic straight-pull rifle. The rifle features a new, ergonomically optimized vertical pistol grip for increased comfort and improved control when firing, and its ambidextrous palm swell fits both right- and left-handed shooters.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.