Welcome to the New Year! As bowhunters, this is the perfect time to set goals and plan for the year ahead. Making a few resolutions can help you take your bowhunting skills and enjoyment to the next level. Here are 5 bowhunting resolutions that could help you have a successful and enjoyable year of bowhunting.
Update Your Gear
The right gear can mean the difference between a successful or unsuccessful hunt. That’s why making sure your equipment is up to date should top the list of New Year’s resolutions.
Look at your bow, crossbow, bolts, arrows, safety gear, and accessories for signs of wear or damage. Frayed strings, bent arrows, and cracked limbs are all dangerous and should be replaced. This will ensure the best possible chance for success in the field.
Also, check for new accessories that might give you an edge during your hunts. From rangefinders to scent blockers, there are plenty of great tools on the market these days.
Hone Your Skills
Honing your skills is one of the most important New Year’s resolutions you can make. Accuracy and precision are paramount. A single misstep can cause failure. Set aside time to practice your shooting skills. Aim for small targets and challenge yourself with longer distances. Also, practice your tracking and stalking skills, so you can better follow game animals through their natural habitat and take accurate shots.
Consider taking a workshop to learn more about the sport and get tips from more experienced hunters. You could learn some very valuable information that will help you become a better hunter.
Hunt More
Hunting is an activity that requires commitment and dedication. When you decide to take on the challenge, you need to be prepared to do what’s necessary to be successful. Resolving to hunt more this year is a great way to challenge yourself and get the most out of the experience.
Make realistic goals and plan out your trips through the year so you can stay organized. By scheduling your hunting time in advance you can be sure it won’t be overlooked. You can even prep your gear in advance to make it easier to grab and go at the right time. Maybe even step into the world of crossbow hunting for an exciting challenge in 2023.
If it’s difficult to make time for hunting, consider joining a local hunting group that can get you out more often. Short local outings can often fit better into your schedule than longer dedicated trips. Take advantage of every opportunity that arises. Whenever you can tag along with your buddies on any of their hunting trips, don’t pass it up. You can learn a lot from them and the experience can help your success on future hunts.
Share Your Passion
Whether you’re an experienced hunter or just getting started, there are plenty of ways to show your love for the sport and share it with others. Invite friends and family on a hunt and discuss the details over a game dinner. You can share the product of a hunt while planning another trip.
You might also consider joining a conservation group or mentoring young hunters. This is a great way to get more people involved and ensure hunting is available for generations to come.
Get Fit
If you want to up your bowhunting game in the new year, getting fit should top your list. Being in good physical shape will make it easier for you to trek through the woods and be more alert while hunting. Add some cardiovascular activities such as running or biking to your weekly routine to build some muscle strength and agility. Whole-body exercise will improve your overall health and improve your endurance.
Good fitness will make your hunts more enjoyable and productive. You can stay in the field longer and move more quietly when you’re in shape. Plus, having a stronger body will reduce the risks of injury. Start the new year off strong and get fit.
Bow B
You couldn’t be more on point about getting in shape. Bow hunting is often a sedentary operation,, or one might think. Sitting in a blind or in a tree stand for hours doesn’t seem like it would need a lot of stamina. BUT,, getting to where you want to hunt carrying a lot of gear, then, in the case of a tree stand, the climbing. Being in shape not only makes these things easier,, it makes them safer as well.
And we haven’t even gotten to the shooting, tracking and dragging, yet. Being in shape will also make it more likely that you will actually take the opportunities available rather than staying in bed or on the couch. Ask me how I know that.
Ed
Maybe adding a recurve or longbow would be fun.
If time isn’t a problem, try making a selfbow. Let me warn you though, if you start down this path, it is time consuming,frustrating and the best fun you’ll ever have!
Not a bowhunter, not much of a hunter really, but the “Get Fit” advice is right on target, pun intended, and it is definitely a good point to make to anyone you’re trying to talk into trying the sport. The mental health benefits of outdoor activities are well-documented; older and hopefully wiser types should strive to get the younger ones off their phones and tablets and out into the wild.
“Start the new year off strong and get fit.”
The Bow Bully,
That’s some great advice…I got some dumbells and an exercise bike…I hope I can keep up the workout all year long. 🙂
Blessings to you,
dave
So this whole craze with the ebikes being used by hunters is not a good thing? 😉