WESTON — Preston native Lindsay Christensen is hoping to become the next Extreme Huntress, but she needs the public’s help to fulfill her dream.
Christensen, who currently resides in Weston, a city in Franklin County, is competing against five other female finalists in the Extreme Huntress competition, which, according to its website, aims to preserve an outdoor heritage and highlight positive role models for women who like to hunt.
Christensen wants to win the title.
“I want to be able to share my passion with people all over the world,” said Christensen, who has been hunting since she was a young girl.
The finalists were filmed as they competed in hunting and skills events at the 777 Ranch in Hondo, Texas, earlier this year, and online episodes highlighting their abilities are now being released weekly. They can be viewed at extremehuntress.com, getzone.com or through the Extreme Huntress app.
The winner of the competition will be chosen based on the judges’ score (50 percent), their skills score (30 percent) and the number of online votes they receive (20 percent).
Christensen received more online votes than the other competitors in the voting periods for August, September and October, and she’s hoping to keep up that trend. As of Thursday morning, she had a total of 2,389 votes — more than a 1,000-point lead on the competitor in second.
“To be leading the voting at this point is truly an honor,” Christensen said. “I feel grateful to know that I have so many people rooting for me behind the scenes.”
Initially, the public was only allowed to cast one vote for the length of the competition, which started in August and wraps up on Jan. 5, but organizers have changed the rules, Christensen said. People can now vote once per month per email address.
“The voting points are also divided into two sections now: voting period winner and cumulative vote total. Max points (will go) to the winner of each category, and everyone else will receive a percentage,” Christensen said. “I am currently leading in both categories. However, if I win this month, November, no one will be able to win more voting periods than me.”
Christensen has been working hard to spread the word through the media and other forums.
“I did an intro to archery booth at the Franklin County Fair, where I also talked a lot about the competition. I was able to speak in the center of the arena during the jousting event at the fair as well,” Christensen said. “I also had stickers on three different derby cars in the Preston Demolition Derby and on two cars in the Logan Trash Car Races. Recently, my friend drag raced his snowmobile at an event in Twin Falls, with the voting information plastered on the hood.”
Christensen said she is planning some meet-and-greets in the weeks ahead as well.
“Upon departure from the 777 Ranch in Texas, following the head-to-head competition, the judges said that the judges’ scores are so close among the top few girls that it is likely to come down to online voting to determine the winner,” Christensen said.
That’s why she’s asking people to vote for her once each month. They will only have five days to do so in January, she noted.
“The public can help me to realize my dream of becoming the next Extreme Huntress by voting for me in the competition and having everyone they know vote as well,” she said.
To vote, people should go online to www.extremehuntress.com and click on “2016 Voting.” Scroll down through the “Vote Now!” section on the right, select Lindsay Christensen’s name, and then press “Vote.” Enter an email address, click “Vote” again, and then go to the email account to confirm the vote.
“Votes must be confirmed in order to count,” Christensen said.
The next Extreme Huntress will be announced during a black-tie dinner at the Dallas Safari Club early next year. While Christensen is hoping to win the title, she feels she’s already received a lot from the competition.
“The journey has been incredible. I have had the the opportunity to meet some amazing individuals and to develop lifelong friendships with women who share my love for hunting and passion for the outdoors,” she said, adding that she’s grown as both a hunter and an individual since she started this competition. “I will be forever grateful for this experience. I want to thank everyone for their continued support because I wouldn’t have made it this far without them.”
