Jen Judge: Becoming an independent Outdoorswoman

FOR ME, BECOMING AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN IN THE OUTDOORS HAS BEEN ABOUT MITIGATING FEARS. AFTER ALL, THE BACKCOUNTRY IS FULL OF POTENTIALLY SCARY THINGS. THERE ARE WILD AND UNPREDICTABLE CREATURES, AS WELL AS CREEPY-CRAWLIES. THERE ARE EXISTENTIAL RISKS TO WORRY OVER, INCLUDING INJURY (OF EITHER MYSELF OR OTHERS), OVER EXHAUSTION, RUNNING OUT OF FOOD AND WATER, BEING STUCK OUT IN THE ELEMENTS, OR SIMPLY GETTING LOST. AND THEN THERE ARE FEARS CAUSED BY HOW SOCIETY SEES WOMEN, SUCH AS LACK OF COMPETENCE OR NOT MEASURING UP.

The key to overcoming these fears and becoming capable of holding my own in the wilderness has been to identify my concerns and then plan and prep in ways that eliminate or at least reduce them. I’m super-selective about my gear to ensure that it won’t let me down. I train rigorously and target my fitness routine to whatever goal is next, whether that’s a solo backcountry elk hunt or several weeks on assignment photographing the Siberian tundra. When I go out with others, I pick and vet my partners carefully. By doing the work in advance, I can head into the field feeling strong and confident that not only have I prepared for success, but also that I’m ready should something goes sideways.

Accept your fears, then deal with them. Being afraid is ok—you just have to work within your boundaries. Identify what you’re afraid of and then figure out solutions. If you are afraid of sleeping in the open, bring a tent. If you’re afraid of bears, carry bear spray and a bell. Some years ago, while hunting deer in northwestern New Mexico, I got pinned down for almost a week and ran dangerously low on supplies when uncharacteristically wet weather turned the clay roads impassable. The first thing I did when I got home was to research how to get around in such conditions. Now, I always carry chains for my truck, a tow rope, and a shovel, as well as a satellite-based tracking device in case of critical problems.

Physical demands can be a challenge, and women are often not as strong as their male counterparts. But you likely have other aptitudes to offset that. For instance, I have the strongest sense of direction in any group I am part of and am always given responsibility for navigation. I also rely on resourcefulness to help overcome physical barriers. On my first elk hunt, I was disheartened that I couldn’t carry loads of meat that were as big as the men who were with me were carrying. After the first haul, I decided to try using a mountain bike we had at the vehicle and discovered that I could carry more riding than they could walking—and faster.

The outdoor community can be intimidating for women to approach. The hunting world is perhaps even more opaque, as knowledge is frequently multigenerational and rarely shared. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Everyone starts somewhere, and there’s someone out there willing to help if you look. I came to hunting less than a decade ago, and I had no family history or personal contacts. I asked countless friends and acquaintances who hunted for help getting started but was discouraged by how many of them rebuffed me. But I was intent and kept at it. Eventually, a friend of a friend took me under his wing. Because of him—and because I kept asking—I now have the confidence to hunt and harvest alone.

Women have a tendency to either recede in hopes that no one notices them or swell with ego as a defense mechanism. Don’t puff up, don’t shrink—just stand your ground. Don’t know a certain skill? Say so, then learn it. Really good at something? Do it, and others will take note. Listen to your gut, be who you are, be honest and authentic—that’s the best way to move ahead. Because I’ve been transparent about who and what I am and why I am that way, I’ve inherited the mentoring torch and been honored to have helped a dozen friends start hunting, including two lifelong vegetarians.

It’s easy to let others handle logistics and carry food and safety gear, but that can put us in precarious situations. Whether you are going solo or with a group, treat every trip into the backcountry or even traveling internationally as if you are on your own. Know where you’re going and have the tools to get yourself there. Carry at least the basic provisions you need if you’re separated. Don’t rely on anyone to cover your ass. I got certified as a Wilderness First Responder this year expressly so I could take care of myself—and others—in remote locations.

Learning something new is certainly one of life’s biggest rewards. It is fuel for excitement and the path to independence, at least for me. Learn everything you can. Suck up knowledge. Challenge yourself to acquire skills you don’t have. Don’t be one-dimensional. I began hunting only nine years ago, which might seem like a long time, and even though I’ve been fortunate to harvest animals every year since, I still consider myself a baby hunter. To be a good hunter, I must also become an exceptional marksman, adventure athlete, orienteer, wilderness biologist, botanist, butcher, environmental steward, and so much more. I find all the things I can study and learn to improve my hunting an exhilarating challenge.

In addition to your regularly scheduled activities and plans, have some long-term goals to keep you motivated. Big, expansive plans help stoke the fire and keep you improving over time. Right now, I’m hunting elk and deer with a bow at ethical ranges of up to 40 yards. But someday, I hope to draw an ibex archery hunt in southern New Mexico, which will entail much longer yardages, higher draw weights than I’m capable of now, and a step or three up in fitness. Whether or not I ever draw that tag—I hope so!—the mere thought of it keeps me striving to improve.

Jen Judge is an internationally acclaimed photographer who calls New Mexico home. She travels the globe in search of wild places and people and spends her free time hunting, mountain biking, fishing, and packrafting in the backcountry of the desert Southwest. Through her work she hopes to educate and inspire people to travel, to explore and appreciate wilderness, and to advocate for public lands.

Filson and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers are hosting a 12-night LIVE skills series featuring seasoned BHA outdoor experts.

As the fastest growing demographic in hunting, there will be talks on Women in the Woods. Along with other outdoor experts, Jen Judge will be presenting. this group of women will explore personal identities and motivations for hunting along with answering questions to get you started in hunting.