Local bow hunter tells her story

By Joan Janzen

Judy (nee Bergen) Berry from Kerrobert has just released her book entitled "Woman of The Woods." Her book recalls her journey to becoming a woman hunter and one of North America's most successful bow hunters. It's a story that spans more than forty years.

Three years ago, Judy's friend, Chris Matishak, expressed a desire to write a book about Judy. They first met when Chris was the manager of a wholesale sports store in Saskatoon. Chris recognized Judy as someone who had a riveting story to tell. Often her stories were "just crazy." Even Judy agrees.

Judy (nee Bergen) Berry holds her book "Woman Of The Woods," the story of her life as a bow hunter. Photo by Joan Janzen

The book contains numerous photos of the lady bow hunter; each one is accompanied by a true tale that seems unbelievable. "One lady who didn't know anything about hunting said she really enjoyed the book," Judy noted. It truly is a book anyone can enjoy.

The attractive sunset cover photo was taken outside of Kerrobert. It took quite a while to get it just right, especially when the mosquitoes were biting.

Judy was born and raised in Vancouver and didn't begin hunting until she moved to the prairies at Luseland, Sask. She started with a bow that was big as she was and soon became a self taught bow hunter.

She began by hunting black bears, moose and elk with friends. She even named her first bear "Boomer" and had him mounted.

As the years progressed, Judy preferred to go hunting alone or with her daughter. She leaves her vehicle and continues her trek on foot until she gets up to five or ten yards from a bear. Although you would expect she would make as little noise as possible, that's not the case. Judy says she makes a fair bit of noise so the bears know she's in the area. That way, they aren't threatened and have a chance to get away.

After hitting her target, the work begins skinning, deboning, and making multiple trips packing the animal back to the truck.

She's accumulated many hunting awards throughout the years, some of which are: Bow Hunter of Saskatchewan for four years, North American Bow Hunter for four years, and Saskatchewan Lady Bow Hunter from 1988 until 2009. She has a jacket displaying all the awards, which is her pride and joy

In her book, she shares all the ups and downs she's experienced throughout her life. She overcame years of illness and physical disability, including four operations and three strokes. But Judy never gave up.

While the book was being written, Judy and her daughter enjoyed a hunting trip in 2021, and Judy has a tag for whitetail this fall. "My daughter loves getting the biggest animal too, so we're going to fight over the biggest," the bow hunter said.

While Judy's hunting stories continue, you can read about her past exploits in "Woman of The Woods." "If hunters don't know where the big ones are, read the book," Judy advised.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of her book (available on Amazon) will be donated to the Hunt Of A Lifetime Foundation, an organization that organizes hunting and fishing opportunities for terminally ill and handicapped children.