Horseback Hunter Kaitlyn Lowes-Frosch

Kaitlyn Lowes-Frosch Is Always Ready To Ride & Rise To The Outdoor Occasion

H&B: Where did you grow up, and how did you get interested in hunting?

KLF: I grew up tucked away on a quaint little farm in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas. Since before I was born, my mother had daycares, church groups, and elementary school kids out to the farm for farm education. Among all the miniature farm animals we had, there was a special horse named Burgandy. I learned to ride her before I could walk. Little did I know, she would open the door to a lifetime of love for horses. I got my first big horse, Grounder, when I was eight, and wow, he was as good as gold! He taught me more than I taught him and prepared me for the next love of my life, Kodak. 

Growing up I was the only girl who would spend time at the ranch. Thanks to my grandpa, father, and brother, I learned to fish, hunt animals, maintain ranch chores, and respect the land. I never knew how much I loved to hunt until I shot my first buck around age 12 with my dad. He said, “I’ll clean the first one for you and after that, you are on your own.” That’s a memory I will cherish forever! From then on, spending time outdoors with my family and grandfather, he just turned 99 years old, became ingrained in my soul.

H&B: What types of hunting do you do?

KLF: I do all types of hunting locally and internationally. Depending on the rules and regs for different species, I hunt from horseback, spot and stalk on foot, hunt from a blind, out of a helicopter, and more. I have hunted on four continents and each time I leave, I find myself wanting to experience and travel as often as possible. Not only are the animals magnificent but exploring the different cultures opens the mind and worldly polishes a person. 

Deer, turkey, duck, hog, predators are all animals in Texas that are on my routine. I especially love to hunt at night with thermal optics for feral hogs. There is nothing like being in total darkness, hearing, smelling, and almost touching them by sneaking up so close! If I had to pick a favorite, it’s hunting off my horse Kodak.

H&B: Tell us about your horseback hunting discipline and Kodak.

KLF: Hunting from horseback and shooting from horseback are totally different. I will never forget the day I was riding at Grandpa’s ranch on my beautiful leopard appaloosa and came to a fork in the road. As I was deciding on going left or right, Kodak was at a standstill staring at several whitetails in front of us. It was at this moment I knew two of my favorite passions, hunting and riding, would become one. 

I was absolutely amazed when I made the decision to hunt off horseback how quickly we learned as a pair. In my opinion, horses either have that “it” factor or they don’t. Kodak excels on so many levels. We have put in countless hours to fine-tune our communication, and while horses are still animals, accidents can happen. I do not recommend hunting from horseback to anyone. Kodak sees and smells animals or danger sometimes when I cannot. I pay attention to his ears and how he steps. His ears alert me in direction, and he allows me to use leg cues to fine-tune our shooting position. We hunt during the day and night. We have called in bobcats, coyotes, rattled in bucks and even shot does from horseback. I’ll never forget the first wild boar we dropped, and Kodak didn’t move an inch! He drug that boar out of the brush like a champion and didn’t hesitate one bit. Wild animals are just as curious about Kodak as he is of them. To our advantage, their hesitation gives more time to shoot than walking up on animals on foot. 

H&B: You have a lot of experience with nighttime hog hunting. What is it you like about it?

KLF: Each night is different from finding lone boars, large groups of sounders, and calling in predators, it’s the uniqueness of the darkness and its unpredictability that keep me coming back. Locating heat signatures in the thermal optics is exhilarating! Wild hogs can be dangerous, and being charged awakens adrenaline inside you. On a conservation note, helping farmers and ranchers eradicate feral hogs, protect their land and animals is a hunter’s responsibility I share with many in the night hunting community.

H&B: Where is your favorite place to hunt?

KLF: Texas of course! There are animals to hunt year-round with different terrain in each part of the state. If I had to pick one place to hunt, it would be my grandfather’s ranch. I am a sentimental person, and nothing can replace the special moments we have shared. Without my grandfather, my hunting career wouldn’t be where it is today. I enjoy passing by favorite spots on the ranch like the blind we sat at together where Grandpa shot his latest doe. We had to walk in the rain to get there and he gave me his special knife he used over the years. I still tear up when I think about it and appreciate everything he taught and continues to teach me.

Hunting internationally is a lifetime pursuit and adventure. I can’t begin to pick a favorite country I have hunted in as they are all so unique and captivating. 

H&B: What is your favorite gun to hunt with?

KLF: It is difficult to pick one specific firearm to hunt with as each has its own use. I feel my Remington .270 is the best all-around caliber when I’m hunting hogs, deer, and predators on and off the saddle. At night, I like to use my 6.8 Razorback from LWRCI or my 6.5 Grendel from TRIARC Systems. I have these rifles set up for nighttime with Pulsar thermals because of the weight, length, and recoil. They are easy to maneuver and carry, impactful, and work well for people I bring along who are not as experienced with night hunting. I do prefer to use suppressed rifles but it’s not always possible. Luckily for me, Kodak lets me shoot both! For the up close and personal run and gun on horseback, I carry a .45 on my hip. What a rush that is! I also hunt with a bow and arrow.

H&B: Speaking of archery, tell us about the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit open-casting call you were a part of.

KLF: This first-ever (in 2017) SI invitation was extended to everyone who dreamed of being an SI model. Thousands responded, so I knew I needed to set myself apart. For my video submission, I decided to shoot my bow off Kodak standing up and then share why SI should take a chance on me. Luckily, I was chosen to be in the top 35 finalists. Next, I was off to New York for an interview and photo shoot. When I stepped into the holding room filled with beautiful women, everyone seemed to comment, “You’re the Texas girl who shoots from the back of her horse!” I’d made my mark, cowgirl boots and all, in the Big Apple.

KLF: My interview was filled with talk about Texas, guns, western style, and, of course, Kodak. I was elated to converse with the judges, as it was fun to find common ground in a room full of fascinating people. The photo shoot was a surreal experience! I couldn’t have done the SI shoot without the encouragement of friends and family, and of course, my horse. My takeaway to young women is to be confident, be yourself, and trust your gut. We may never know why doors open and close but in time the right people will always find you.

H&B: What is a good way to bring more women into the hunting space?

KLF: I think a good way is to start by extending an invitation with a helping heart, desire to educate, and to give back whenever possible. There are many communities, clubs, and local groups around Texas and the U.S. that support conservation, welcome new hunters, and celebrate the outdoors. There are even all-women retreats that teach hunting skills from start to finish and welcome novice and first-time hunters. The next generation is invaluable, and starting them young in the outdoors is imperative to keep our hunters' legacy alive. 

H&B: What other outdoor activities do you enjoy?

KLF: From playing polo in California to skiing in the Swiss Alps, sky diving to deep sea fishing, I enjoy all levels of outdoor activities. Even if it’s fishing in a pond or playing sand volleyball with friends. I like to exercise, spend time around my parents’ farm, and ride my horse, of course.

H&B: Tell us about your bucket-list dream hunt.

KLF: I have dreamt of shooting a red stag off Kodak since that day my passions merged on Grandpa’s ranch. Since that historical day, I have ridden at several ranches with red stag, and Kodak remains unphased as the animals gaze back at each other. Hearing the roaring, seeing the tree limbs shaking from rubbing, and viewing the grand stature of a mature male is an epic sensory experience. Flying Kodak around the world is not realistic so I am more than thrilled to make my dream hunt happen in my home state of Texas one day. Not many people can say they hunt from a spotted horse, and when I am my grandfather’s age I hope to tell that story of my once-in-a-lifetime experience.