Recorder columnist Joe Judd given “Words of Wisdom” award by Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Club

Longtime Recorder outdoor columnist Joe Judd was honored at the 2023 Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Club’s annual appreciation banquet on March 25 at the Pleasant Valley County Club in Sutton. 

Judd was given the “Words of Wisdom” award, which is given in recognition to his efforts through journalism to inform, educate and promote sportsmen’s issues. 

“I was surprised and humbled when I got that award,” Judd said. “When you see the previous winners, I had to ask if they had the right guy for this award. Those are some outstanding writers that have won it in the past. I’m so honored to get this award. I went to the banquet with my wife and there 400 people there and so many people said nice things to me. It was all good. I was really honored and it’s nice for a Franklin County guy like myself to win this.” 

Judd has been an avid hunter for 50 years and has been an outdoor writer for 40 of them. He has written books on the subject as well as having a local TV show — also called “On the Ridge” — which recorded 200 episodes over a 23-year span in Franklin County. 

Judd serves on the pro staffs of both Quaker Boy and Bass Pro Shop/Cabela’s. He has also made nearly 300 seminar speaking performances on the subject, has served as the past president of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and has been inducted into the New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. 

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working with Joe for more than 40 years and consider him in the same league with other talented outdoor writers including Mark Blazis, Peter Mirick, Fred Andrews, Frank Sousa, Gene Chague and Gary Sanderson,” Bill Davis, who is on the Board of Directors with the Worcester County League of Sportsmen’s Club, said during a speech at the banquet. “I was flattered that Joe attended a Worcester County League meeting back in 2018 when I retired from Mass Wildlife and presented me with a customized National Wild Turkey Federation box call. Some of Joe’s talents must have rubbed off on that call as I’ve been able to harvest several quality gobblers in recent years.” 

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