Resolutions are being made as I write this, but I have never been one for resolutions. No, I am one for setting goals year-round and being realistic about how I approach them. In a future post I will share my goals for 2013, but for now I wanted to reflect on the goals I had set for 2012 to share what I had accomplished. Here were my goals for 2012 and what transpired.
- Practice at a 3D target range. I have realized that in order to truly grasp what it’s like to hunt and be successful out here I need to practice at a 3D range a few times. I have hit the flatland archery range countless times and have even thrown a 3D target up a few times, but I need more. If I want to be the best I can be when bowhunting I need to step it up. – I did not focus on this in 2012. Instead, my buddies and I set up our own 3D targets at the range. I am happy we did that, but disappointed that I didn’t at least try to hit a 3D range. This is going on my list for 2013 because I know it will help in the long run and will bring it’s own set of challenges.
- Practice out to 80 yards consistently. Time for a new sight that will allow me to shoot out to 80 yards. Once I get that dialed in on the bow I am going to consistently practice out to that range. I am really looking forward to it! – I set out for 80, but stuck with 70 yards this year. While I did practice out to 80 yards multiple times, the majority was set at 70. I felt comfortable there and may not switch that up.
- Drop another 20-25 lbs and get in better shape. I dropped 45 lbs. last year, gained a few back during the holidays and now I have my 2012 goals. This isn’t for looks people. I aim to drop the cookies and pie weight and lose another 20-25 before the September elk season in Colorado… see below. – I hit this running! Literally! I started running (see #7) and also hitting trails with 80-100 lbs in my pack. I was able to drop 20 lbs and increase stamina and strength throughout 9 months of training.
- Colorado archery elk hunt. – Not only accomplished this goal by going, but I arrowed my very first Colorado bull elk, too. You can read the story here.
- Arrow a wild hog. I have to get up to my buddy Jeff’s place this year when the time is right. Jeff has been a super guy with letting me hunt the property and I owe him a lot. I hope I get to hunt with him a few times this year and arrow a hog on his property. – Went out a couple times in a different area, but this was put on hold due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Arrow a SoCal pacific-hybrid deer. This will happen! Going for the same tag again this year and aim to take a doe or a buck in my spot. I have 11 months to think about it! – I spent a great deal of time afield with my buddies Brent and Brandon this year and we had a heck of a time. The first was finding a spot to hunt, then getting the time to do it and finding the deer! It was super challenging to say the least. None of us arrowed a deer, but we will be doing some serious homework in 2013. We already have a plan.
- Do some outdoor trail running. There are many opportunities out here to run some trails and with Mark at SoleAdventure peaking my interest I just have to go for it. It’ll sure beat running around the block or hitting the gym every time. – Trail running was super fun. I started doing this locally and plan to do more of it in 2013. I hope to avoid the rattlesnakes, but I do have a few trails in mind that would be challenging.
- Give a few archery hunting seminars. I am in the works to give a few seminars in 2012 and I’ll let you know more when I have them locked down. – This was a great one for me. I was able to give a few seminars at Bass Pro Shops and meet some great people. Always learn a thing or ten from these seminars, too. I appreciated every question and comment at the seminars and hope you guys continue to share your adventures with me. I love hearing them!
- Save up for the 2013 ATA Show. I have to make this happen. I am going crazy watching all of the videos, listening to the podcasts and seeing photos of the new gear. I’m a gear junky and love to play, so this is a must! – While I really wanted to get out to ATA, this just isn’t going to happen. It falls right around my daughters birthday and with going to Colorado this year my wallet was wrung dry. I do want to get out there in 2014, but this remains to be seen.
Setting goals is something that helps me focus and stay accountable. I hope you all set some great hunting goals for 2013 and if you do, please share them. I would love to hear what you set and how you plan to accomplish them. As we wind down 2012, I am excited for what 2013 what challenges will greet us. Take the bull by the horns and give it all you’ve got. Happy New Year everyone!
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