“At least someone admits it,” she said. I looked up to find my wife flip my hunting magazine over and point to the advertisement on the back cover…“It's Not A Passion. It's An Obsession!” My wife was right, and although I never used to admit it, there is now no denying it. I am, like many of you, obsessed with bowhunting. This time of year can be tough for guys and gals like us. Our fall hunting season has come and gone, and no matter how successful that season has been, it is easy to wind up in a post-season slump. Don‟t let that happen! Last season, no matter how good or how bad, is gone. With the arrival of the New Year there is also a new hope. Your hunting this coming year can be whatever you make it out to be. Next fall may seem far way, but it will be here before you know it. Now is the time to take control of your off
season and begin working towards your hunts for the year. Anyone can get lucky now and then, but do you really want to bank your season on luck? If you want to be a truly effective bowhunter then you should know that there is always room to improve. I want you to do two things this offseason – Reflect & Respond REFLECT – Take some time to reflect on this past season. Figure out what went well and needs to stay. Also determine what did not go well and needs to change. Be specific about what worked and what did not. Write your reflections down now so you have something to come back to throughout the rest of the year. RESPOND – Now that you know what you need to change, figure out how to make it happen. Make a plan, and just
like your reflections, be specific and write your plan down. For many of us, our plans will fall into three major areas: equipment, shooting, and land management/access. Equipment As a bowhunter it is easy to get caught up in the constant onslaught of new equipment that is hitting the market. Bows are getting faster, quieter, and more forgiving. Arrows are getting stronger and more accurate. Broadheads are flying better and doing more damage. Well, at least that is what they try and sell us anyway. And let‟s admit it, new stuff is fun! Here is the truth – if you are comfortable and effective with the equipment you are using now then you should not