With another new year upon us it's time to reflect on our accomplishments in 2013 and think about what we can do better in the coming year. For some of us, it's resolving to get out to the range every week to hone our shooting skills so they're not rusty come waterfowl season. For others, it's tying those trout flies throughout the winter instead of the night before opening day. Some of us just want to get out and enjoy everything that the outdoors has to offer and share it with our kids.
We've asked our staff and contributors here at Game & Fish what their New Year's Resolutions are for 2014 and here's what they said.
Simply Enjoying the Outdoors
Bob McNally, G&F Contributor
My resolution is to spend more time fishing, hunting and enjoying the outdoors for the simple pleasures of being outside and observing the wonders of wild things and places. There is so much more to the outdoors than the mere catching of fish and the taking of game. I resolve to share these things with more people who have not yet experienced them to their fullest.
Photo courtesy Bob McNally
More Time at the Range
Brad Fitzpatrick, G&F Contributor
My resolution is to spend more time at the range. To remain on top of your game, you need to shoot at least a couple times a week, especially when you spend much of the year hunting ducks and upland game. I need to break no less than 100 targets a week in various shotgun disciplines.
Photo by John Geiger
Fish Better
Daniel McElrath, G&F Regional Editor
I could say I resolve to win a bass tournament, but tourney anglers say that to themselves before each event, anyway. It's better to say I'll try to fish better this year: do more research on the lake, get my tackle better organized, and do a better job of maintaining it; better control my impulses to move or change lures too soon, or my stubbornness in staying in one spot or fishing the same lure too long. If I can do those things, winning a tourney should take care of itself.
Photo courtesy Daniel McElrath
More Family Time
David Johnson, G&F Regional Editor
To take my son Erik hunting and fishing as much as possible.
Photo courtesy David Johnson
Teaching Kids to Hunt & Fish
Gary Lewis, G&F Contributor
In 2014, I want to remember that although I can't change the world, I can teach a kid to fly-fish; I can take a girl on her first duck hunt; I can help a new hunter get his first buck. And I want to see fishing and hunting through their eyes.
Photo courtesy Gary Lewis
Being Ready for the Season Opener
Jon Storm, Former Editor of BassFan.com
I resolve to be ready for the April 1 trout opener. I resolve to have all my gear located and ready one week before, and to engage in fly tying over the winter — not the night before opener.
Photo courtesy Jon Storm
Using What You Have
Peter Gross, G&F Publisher
I don't need more stuff, I need to use the stuff I have more.
Photo by Ron Sinfelt
Mentoring Youth in the Outdoors
Preston Keck, G&F Contributor
This New Year's I resolve to spend more time mentoring youth in the outdoors. It is my belief that the future of conservation depends on educating our young people on the importance of being good stewards of themselves and wild places.
Photo courtesy Preston Keck
Beating Personal Records
Rick Bach, G&F Contributor
In 2014 I'm resolved to break my own striped bass records from both a boat and the surf. To do it I'll need to best this 43-pound striper I caught off the coast of New Jersey on the boat of friend and esteemed writer and editor Joe Cermele in 2011. I've also promised myself that anything pushing the magical five-oh mark is destined to be replicated to take up the majority of the remaining wall space in my apartment.
Photo courtesy Rick Bach
Year of the Wall-Hanger
Ron Sinfelt, G&F Photo Editor
I resolve to hunt more, get in shape to hunt more, do more scouting and preparing so I can kill better deer during the coming year. Filling the freezer is great, but 2014 is going to be the "year of the wall-hanger" for me.
Photo by G&F Staff
Hunting Smarter
Terry Jacobs, G&F Senior Production Designer
Check your trail camera before hunting the stands were they are at to see what is passing through the day before.
Not to run a four wheeler through the woods you are going to hunt for the next few days.
Photo by G&F Staff
Outdoor Cooking
Tiffany Haugen, G&F Contributor
New Year's Resolutions are a long-standing tradition in my family. The rule is, you make 12 resolutions to shout out at each chime of the clock, come midnight. Part of the fun of New Year's Eve is getting last year's list out to see how we did; it's one of our most cherished bonding times. This year will have a bit on exercise and nutrition with a few professional goals thrown in, but I'm most looking forward to more time cooking in my Dutch ovens. Whether on the back porch or in a campground, there's no limit to what can be cooked outside, with no electricity, in a Dutch!
Photo courtesy Tiffany Haugen
