Ladies In The Outdoors, Lori Card, Michigan

Lori Card, Michigan

My name is Lori Card, I am the owner of Wild Card Outdoor Adventures, a non-profit that educates, encourages, and empowers women and children in the outdoors. I have a super supportive husband, two grown children and three beautiful grandchildren. We also own a guide business, Wild Card Outfitters & Guide Services, LLC. I am a Merchant Mariner U.S. Coast Guard Captain, an Ordained Minister, an instructor for hunter/bowhunter/trapper education through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), as well as a coordinator for several surrounding counties in the area. Most currently a USCCA CPL and Awareness/Defense Instructor.

In 2014, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis (an autoimmune disorder). After battling UC for 2 years, it almost won. In April 2016 I had the first surgery which saved my life. I was ninety-seven pounds. When I arrived at the hospital the doctors told me, had I not come in, I would have gone to sleep and not woken up. The next day I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard a voice that said, “I’m not ready for you yet, your mission isn’t over,” there was no one in my room. This surgery removed everything from my small intestine down, leaving me with an ileostomy, “Stella.” In December 2017, I had my second surgery, my third and final surgery was June 2018 which left me with a J-pouch.

The Double D Foundation hosts hunts for people who have an ailment or medical conditions at the Double D Ranch. The foundation had reached out to me about any women or children, I might know that fit this criteria, I had given them a few names. I will never forget that one call from the foundation telling me I too had been picked for a hunt of a lifetime. He had shared my story with the board, about how I continued to get women and children involved in the outdoors with Wild Card Outdoor Adventures, while battling UC. I will never forget shooting my first buck!!

Had I known that having this surgery would have given me back the quality of life I longed for, I would have done it sooner. During those four years most never realized I was sick, I continued to plan events for women and children, most from my hospital bed. I continued to stay positive as I could not disappoint anyone because I was ill. At the end of the day, I am not sure why I got sick. If I can help just one person understand this is not the end of life, it is a new beginning, then it was all worth it!!

Today, I am healthy and have my life. I am doing what I can to give back. Teaching women and children how to live off the land the way God intended through Wild Card Outdoor Adventures. I am living life to the fullest every day. I am not sure exactly what my mission is, but I must be doing something right. What is next, whatever adventure God has planned!!

Ms. April 2025

Ladies In The Outdoors would like to thank our 2025 sponsor, Extreme Hunting 365, for making this possible! We truly appreciate your support. Check out their complete line of premier hunting products and gear or sign up for the monthly Hunt Club drawings at www.extremehunting365.com