By Cam Pauli, Sportsmen’s Alliance Digital Media Specialist
With the start of each new year, I make two lists for myself. On the first list I write down all of my personal, financial and career objectives – things I classify as “normal life.” The second list consists of my “outdoor life” – goals and desires related to hunting, fishing and trapping.
I started making two lists about seven years ago. Having a list solely dedicated to my outdoor lifestyle makes it easier to track progress and make adjustments to more quickly achieve a goal. Below I’ve listed a few simple objectives that I’ve had on past lists, and how each could enhance your hunting experience this year.
Journal
Keeping a journal of all my hunts has been by far the most rewarding practice I’ve implemented in recent years. Taking notes of funny jokes cracked on hunts, weather, wildlife movements or milestones in my dogs hunting career provide both humor and education. Memories burn brighter as I flip through the pages of my journal and it has also proven useful at cataloging key dates in the migration and rut.
Take Better/More Photos
My camera is always the first piece of equipment I pack on hunting trips. Taking pictures during a hunt serves as great way to collect visual keepsakes to supplement your journal. You don’t need to have an expensive camera or a degree in photography to take quality photos in the field. Author and speaker Jason Cruise has an excellent crash course on this subject in his blog series Better Field Photos.
Road Trip
Traveling out of state can be a very rewarding experience – so long as you do your homework. Start now by getting a group of buddies together so you can sync your vacation, create a budget, plan scouting trips and iron out other details. You will save yourself a lot of headache, and quite possibly your friendships, by creating a game plan well in advance of your trip that gets everyone on the same page.
Join a Conservation Organization
Every year I make an effort to join a conservation organization that I don’t already belong to. Even if I don’t hunt the particular species they support, I still enjoy meeting new hunters and learning about the management of another species. Many organizations like Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Delta Waterfowl have regional chapters already established that hunters could easily join. Clubs benefit hunters because they provide camaraderie, volunteer opportunities, knowledge and give funds back to critically needed habitat projects.
You can also join an organization like the Sportsmen’s Alliance, which exists to protect and advance hunting, fishing and trapping across the United States. Habitat improvement projects and other wildlife management initiatives will do nothing for future generations of sportsmen without our own rights secured.
Hunt Smarter
Between work, starting a family and projects around the house, I find myself having less time each year to dedicate to hunting. As a result, I’ve had to adjust my strategies and take advantage of a two new technologies: the ScoutLook Weather app and Powderhook.com. Both platforms offer a suite of tools that have proved invaluable in the field and make the most of every scouting trip or hunt. Best of all, I can access either resource from my smartphone.
Budget
Hunting equipment, licenses and the travel costs to get to your favorite spot require a big chunk of change. Being a young guy just starting out, I’ve learned to optimize my hunting experience by budgeting for all the costs I expect to incur come fall. Purchasing licenses early in the year, setting aside a few bucks each week and scoring lightly used equipment on Craigslist have all helped me circumnavigate the financial black hole that the outdoor lifestyle can become. You’ll do your credit score a favor by implementing similar practices.
