I don’t always keep my New Year’s resolutions. They are often forgotten soon after I make them. The need for change is definitely there but the desire to hit the goal wanes when I set the goal too high or make too many changes at once. The key for me is choosing one or two necessary resolutions in areas of my personal habits or hobbies where changes are already needed and a positive outcome is wanted.

There is no difference really in New Year’s resolutions and the goals of most hunters as they look ahead to the next season. Learning to do well comes from failing to bring it all together. They review what finally worked and seek to eliminate the individual fruitless efforts of their outdoor pursuits that ended without success.

Each new year rolls around fresh with challenges and problems to overcome. Hunters face unique situations in the field and some unusual situations that can hamper a hunting season. All hunters can and do make changes to solve problems, as they occur. Heading off potential problems before they affect, your hunt would stop a lot of frustration and wasted time in the field. Special attention should be given to the hunter’s needs when making New Year’s resolutions. This might include a cautious evaluation of the following suggestions:

Safety resolutions

Remember to check your shell size and bullet caliber before you head out and begin to load your munitions. Know the area you plan to hunt before you step out for the first time into the unknown and get lost. Make sure new hunting buddies are safety conscious and aware of their firearm muzzle direction at all times.

Time saving resolutions

Plan ahead and organize. Purchase tags and permits well in advance to avoid waiting in long lines on opening day. Clothing that is washed in Arm and Hammer and stored in a scent free bag can be ready to wear or tossed into the truck at a moment notice to go hunting. Keep everything for archery hunting in one bin and shooting supplies in another box. Always return hunting gear to it’s proper storage place so you don’t have to search for those items that you will want handy when you return afield

Shooters resolutions

Practice your shot daily. Take a break from the pressure of big game season hunting and pull out the old .22 caliber or purchasing a new one to go reclaim the enjoyable hours of small game hunting. Scope out an affordable optic to top your firearm and sight it in before the season begins.

Archery resolutions

Enjoy time at the target with another archer. Competition fuels the drive to improve and enjoy the sport with an extra edge. For a more accurate shot keep that new bow string waxed and replace old relaxed bow strings. Practice various yardage repeatedly from sitting, standing, kneeling and above ground positions.

Simple resolutions

Keep it simple with a small gear bag that is filled with necessities. Always keep your bag packed for the hunt. Streamline your choices by selecting compact knives, binoculars and other essentials.

Funny resolutions

Remember that an accurate arrow shot on a squirrel will also accurately nail him to a tree, so take shots nearer to the ground if you want to recover dinner without climbing a tree. Be cautious this season when wearing too many layers of bulky clothing, like Ralphie’s younger brother in The Christmas Story; if you fall in the woods with that much bulk on you may never get back up.

New hunting friend resolutions

Expand your horizons with hunting friends that will bring a new point of view into focus on your next hunt. A fresh hunting approach from someone else can point out just one thing that has been overlooked. Hunting may be a solitary hobby for a few but occasionally sharing outdoor time with other hunters can open up new opportunities for hunts and bring ideas and more outdoor knowledge for most hunters.

Think about the less productive time in the woods and change up where you position yourself in relation to the wind. Retrace the game trails near your hunt area and pay attention to the direction the game you are hunting will approach your set up. Some trails are used coming and going a couple different times of day while others offer a one shot opportunity from a specific location on the trail.

The whole idea is to improve ourselves and the efforts we make to enjoy the hunt. Even one positive change a hunter makes with consistency will create that simple habit to achieve a fruitful  harvest. That is a goal most hunters pursue. May God bless your hunting efforts in 2007 with safety and success.