Julie Hughes Bio

Monday, 07 July 2008 13:54 | Written by Julie Hughes

Julie Hughes
I spent my childhood playing softball, soccer, and doing anything I could with horses (primarily showing). Over the summers, I recall practically living at organized camps. I was never afraid to get dirty and never afraid to try new things. However, I was never exposed to hunting.
I loved the outdoors, but I had no idea of the world that I was missing, until I met my now ex-husband. In the first summer with him, I saw more wildlife than I had seen in my entire life! I even had a bull Elk charge me while I was riding through the mountains. I was so amazed by the magnificent animal. When I was asked how big he was, I had no idea how excited folks get over it and how to rate them, and everyone laughed when the only answer I could give was "BIG"!

He had to start from the ground up with me. Not only did he have a non-hunter on his hands, but also a self-proclaimed, for no reason at all, anti-hunter. I couldn't believe that he would hunt these poor defenseless animals, but I was open minded enough to see what it was all about. The first thing he did was slap me into the mud of Western Washington with a .22 rifle for my first shooting lesson.
After a few challenges of hunting both sides of Washington State, we relocated to Elko, Nevada. Years later I have switched from that .22, to a 30-30, on to a 7 mag and finally into an AR compound bow. I'm not sure which reaction I enjoy more: the look on a man's face when he hears I shoot a 7 mag or the look I get when I tell someone I hunt mountain lions with a bow and arrow! I enjoyed hunting as a rifle hunter, but bow hunting has given me a passion for it! I’ve even been fortunate enough to be successful as a guide and a Hunter Education instructor for the last 11 years.

I believe I was born about 70 years too late. I have a heart for empowering women through outdoor activities whether it be taking a hike in the foot hills or a Mule Deer archery hunt at 10,000 feet without a man around, as well as a strong desire to educate hunters and outdoorsmen of the importance of ranching on our wildlife.

I have 2 beautiful kids: Madi and Austin, who both enjoy hunting, fishing and the outdoors as much as I do. I thrive on adventure and can now add race car driving and bull riding to my list of accomplishments! God shows me daily what a miracle worker He really is and has given me the drive and the strength to do all that is put before me.

Although I consider myself a bow hunter now, I’m not opposed to hunting with a rifle for some hunts. Yearly I bow hunt Mule Deer, Elk, and Antelope as the tags are available in my area and hope to some day hunt Big Horn, Mountain Goat, Grizzly and my dream hunt… a Bongo.

Additionally, I love to fish. With Pike, Lake Trout, Salmon, and Steelhead in my creel, I live in some of the best rainbow trout and bass country! Although my dream fishing trip is the Bonefish in Beliz!

God Bless

Julie Robker-Hughes

Live Simply. Love Generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. And keep God in your quiver!