New Year’s resolutions – a proposed act of self-improvement or vow to do good. “Do better”. They’ve been around forever. Lose weight, diminish debt, volunteer for a charity, get that job promotion; the list can be long. What about our hunting and outdoor goals? There are always a few things we think of during the season that we could try, change, or do better. However, such thoughts are usually fleeting and therefore left in the field; we move on only to ponder them again at a later date. Actor Buddy Ebsen of Beverly Hillbillies fame once shared a profound axiom; “Tomorrow is a magical day – there’s nothing you can’t do tomorrow”. This is usually the way resolutions go. For this reason, it’s a good idea to quantify, prioritize, and document them. After all, it’s no accident that common synonyms for resolute include purposeful, unwavering, and persistent. A real and realistic plan of action is required. With this in mind, here are 8 deer hunting goals you might consider for 2019.
- Create a new hunter or two. Introducing friends and family to the outdoors is gratifying. The recruitment of new hunters isn’t happening at nearly the rate needed to get it where it needs to be for the next generation. Therefore, make it your quest to offer this gift to someone. Kids are great candidates, as they have a lifetime ahead of them to continue the promotion. It’s exponential. In addition to mentoring them yourself, enroll them in hunter education or a hunting or shooting club that will further foster their interest. Teaching any parts of the process is constructive; from sharing a hunting blind to a venison meal.
- Learn something new. For novice and seasoned hunters alike, there are always more outdoor lessons to be learned. I’ll never forget finally learning archery and bowhunting after many years of only rifle hunting. I put this resolution off way too long. Talk about procrastination. From a hunting perspective, this was one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made. Consider learning more in general about hunting and the animals you pursue. Read educational hunting blogs, tune into hunting podcasts, or attend seminars. At this day and age, there is a wealth of hunting information available from QDMA workshops to instructional videos. Get after it; after all, you love the subject matter.
- Sharpen Your Skills. This usually requires A degree of honesty. Remember the “do better” part of resolutions? Do you want to shoot more accurately at longer distances? Does buck fever or target panic rule you at times? Take your practice a step further and shoot from positions that mimic your situations in the field. Make sure your gun is properly sighted in. Likewise, ensure your archery rig is tuned, dialed in, and ready to go at all times. Seek guidance from a seasoned friend or qualified pro staffer. The first time I ever did this, I was astounded at how poor my shooting form was and I benefitted greatly.
- Thank private landowners. Access to private land is a privilege provided to us through the generosity of landowners. Whether for a fee or free, opening up one’s private grounds is a big deal. For those of us lucky enough to be granted access, we should thank them. Consider helping with farm and ranch chores or provide a gift with a sincere note. I can remember as a kid, hunters giving everything from harvested game meat to beer or wine in exchange for hunting or pond fishing. At a minimum, a visit and a genuine thank you goes a long way.
- Give the gift of hunting and the outdoors to those with disabilities. I have first-hand
knowledge with this one. Providing hunting trips for disabled and terminally-ill individuals is rewarding to all involved. As hunters, we can easily take for granted our turn-key ability to hit the fields and timber for deer and other game. Either take them yourself or utilize a make-a-wish outdoor organization. Partly due to the anti-hunting sentiment, it was once difficult to find such groups willing to include hunting as a wish. Today, there are several specifically established to serve this demographic in the outdoors. For example, 1st Light’s sister organization, the Empowerment Outfitter Network takes applications for hunts on quality hunting properties. Adaptive equipment for most any disability can even be provided. Treating disabled individuals to hunting outings not only promotes our hunting heritage but provides life-changing activities for them. In this way, these folks are able to take ownership of an activity; and take on an identity as a sportsman. - Refresh your gear. This can include trying new gear or simply updating or upgrading current equipment. If you rifle hunt, consider a caliber better suited for different situations. What about taking up archery or updating your archery equipment? If you already shoot a compound bow, maybe try a longbow. Innovation around the stick and string continues to explode, so maybe consider a getting a smoother faster rig. The same goes for accessories and tackle. For example, more effective broadheads and sights continue to hit the market. I have a high-end bow, but time flies and 2007 has long passed. Not to mention, every time I try a friend’s newer model, I come away thinking a change may be in order. Keeping up with the Joneses? Perhaps. But, better technology often equates to better success. The same consideration goes for hunting optics, stands, and even clothing. If money is an issue, ask for and accumulate gift cards to be used toward your next hunting toy. As a notorious tightwad, this strategy has worked well for me many times.
- Find a New Hunting Area. Ok, admittedly this can be difficult, but with proper effort, it’s doable. The definition of insanity comes into play here. “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”. If your hunting digs aren’t yielding the type of game you’d like, take action. This can mean searching out new public ground, knocking on doors of private landowners, or even inquiring via social media and online hunting communities. Whatever the case, start your search as early as possible – ideally early enough to allow for scouting prior to next season.
If you’re not changing properties, do your homework and determine better areas and setups for your current one; Even on small tracts, it’s amazing how new locations can improve results. - Scout More/Prepare More. To continue number seven, get to know your property – heavily used trails, scrapes, and bedding areas for example. Ratchet your scouting up a notch by also increasing your knowledge about bordering properties. You can do this by obtaining overhead views of your area. This can mean topographical maps and GPS-based overlays that reveal property lines and landowner information. There are several effective and increasingly innovative hunting apps available these days for this purpose. For old school hunters, this could be its own resolution; embrace technology and add it to your outdoor arsenal. At a minimum, study fence lines to locate trails used by deer crossing to and from your property. The bottom line is that the whitetails you’re hunting obviously know their home range. To level the playing field, so should you.
For 2019, be resolute about improving your hunting situation. Maximize your outdoor success and enjoyment by committing to an achievable set of goals. As an over-arching resolution, always strive to see your time outdoors as the God-given blessing, privilege, and gift that it is.
