• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

2022 Goals Thread

Extremely new guy for hunting so my goals are basic.

Off-season: scout, shoot and climb until it's second nature. Buy a rifle because I'm that much of a newbie. Also probably drag someone out to places of interest to help me learn what all I'm finding. - I'll probably ask on here if I can get a decent picture. I came to hunting via cooking- get those snack sticks, summer sausage and fesh sausages dialed right in!

In season: hopefully have a shot! More importantly be patient. Patience isn't my strongest suit so that'll be tough. But in my limited experience I've learned I gotta wait for my shot. I'm not a sniper, I haven't shot at any live targets with my recently aquired bow. Hopefully I get a shot I can execute and I put meat in my freezer.

Mostly just keep having fun learning something new!
 
Nutterbuster said:
Get back to what I loved about hunting as a kid...spontaneity.

Be kinder to myself as a hunter. Pack the extra layer. Take the time to sip the coffee and eat the breakfast. Sleep in if it's raining. Go fish if it's hot. Slip an earbud in and listen to a good audio book on the stand.

Ground hunt more. Really conducive the 1 and 2.

Relax. Over the years I've slipped into letting my obsessive and anxious side manifest in relation to hunting. This year I became a little more self aware of that. I haven't had the same level of euphoric, adrenaline-pumped, manic, sleep deprivation and caffeine induced "rush," but I traded it for a few mornings where I was just happy to be where and how and what I was.
Click to expand...
Sounds like we have opposite problems. I’m all about enjoying the day and relaxing and making the most of a hunt. I always tell myself I need to hunt harder if I’m gonna make it happen but I’m typically too content to really get after it. I did hit it pretty hard for a time this season but work and life came up and after passing on 30+ deer and missing my first shot at a mature buck with a gun to boot the wind was really taken out of my sails.

Sounds like you’ve made some positive changes all around from what I’ve. Keep it up!
 
Nutterbuster said:
Get back to what I loved about hunting as a kid...spontaneity.

Be kinder to myself as a hunter. Pack the extra layer. Take the time to sip the coffee and eat the breakfast. Sleep in if it's raining. Go fish if it's hot. Slip an earbud in and listen to a good audio book on the stand.

Ground hunt more. Really conducive the 1 and 2.

Relax. Over the years I've slipped into letting my obsessive and anxious side manifest in relation to hunting. This year I became a little more self aware of that. I haven't had the same level of euphoric, adrenaline-pumped, manic, sleep deprivation and caffeine induced "rush," but I traded it for a few mornings where I was just happy to be where and how and what I was.
Click to expand...
The older I get the more "just enjoying the moment" becomes what hunting is about for me. I've reached a point in my life where I don't have to draw blood to consider the adventure a success. A beautiful sunrise, a deer walking by in range without a clue, the nervous sneak in the morning dark, even just watching the squirrels can make a hunt completely satisfying for me.

I really enjoy the time at camp alone . . . not that I'm a complete misanthrope (I'm only partially afflicted :tearsofjoy: ) but there's something special about hanging with myself and not having to make conversation or deal with others baggage. I just enjoy the introspective time. My buddies who live near where I camp/hunt are always inviting me in to town for dinner or to watch the game but I almost always beg off for some reason or another. I honestly would just rather sit quietly with my own self.

My goal again this year, same as the last three, is to not let the adversity of things I have no control over (weather, other hunters, etc.) create aggravation and take away from my enjoyment of the hunting season. I'm certainly not trying to be the hippie I sound like, I just want to make sure I enjoy the season. Life's too short to let things outside of your control ruin your enjoyment of the things you love.
 
Hunting is a 12 month endeavor for me. Every month has a new goal. Scout, tree prep, farm maintenance, Scout, shoot, etc. Everything that doesn't get done lessens chances for success.

The hunt is the sum of all of the parts.
 
I've already decided what my goals are this year and that is to just go with my gut feelings and try not to over analyze my hunting strategy. To just have fun and let my 44 years of hunting experience be my guide. Just have fun.
 
You guys that have specific inch or age class goals.......find the animal. I mean actually lay eyes on it either in person or by pics.

Biggest part is finding the one to hunt without wasted opportunity.....then break down the individual goals that will result in the harvest of said critter.

Find him first.
 
This is the year I start shooting my recurve(s). It will be a long time before I'm comfortable killing a deer with one, but I want to do some stump shooting and bunny busting. Trying to figure out where to start.
 
4 inch group with a 47lbs recurve hunting setup at 20yards

Do this is a saddle from multiple angles

Everything else....if it meant to be, it meant to be. Family and life will dictate what happens otherwise.
 
I'm only going into my 3rd season of hunting. In each of the past two years I've only been able to manage 3-5 sit each year. Between work and family there just hasn't been the time.

My goals this hunting season are
  • Get in the woods a minimum of once per week. Most of my hunts are evening sits so it's a matter of how the kids are behaving and my wife's sanity.
  • Do a weekend trip to PA big woods. I have an invitation to go with my brother a group of guys, just need to convince the wife.
  • Take each of the kids out at least once for a sit.
  • Harvest more then one deer. I've been blessed with being able to harvest a deer each year I've been out. This year we have the additional freezer space and will be able to handle additional meat.
Goals for off season -
  • Shoot my bow 4-5 times per week and have the kids shoot there's a few nights as well
  • Go shoot 3D with the kids once per month
  • Spend more time scouting
  • Get in better shape. I've begun a push up routine, but need to add cardio to the mix. I got smoked last year dragging my buck out. I don't want to feel that way again
  • Continue learning about the gutless method and packing out vs dragging.
 
However, I also identify hard with @Beeyuu's goals as well. But he's hunting in Iowa and I'm in NY soooo there's that. @Beeyuu you shot a whopper this past season too what did he score?
 
iamcorey said:
Kill something with my new custom .357mag rifle barrel.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
What rifle did you get? I am a big 357 mag fan and have killed a few with my Ruger 77/357 and some hot buffalo bore loads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top