My off-season goals for this/next year:
1.Take My Hunting IQ To the Next Level-
I realize everyone is always looking to raise their hunting IQ, but I'm really looking to take my hunting IQ to the next level this off-season. My plan of attack is to listen to as many podcasts as possible while taking copious notes when necessary. I have all but stopped listening to mainstream radio while driving to and from work, etc. I have also added a few books to my hunting library: (How to Bag the Biggest Buck Of Your Life by Benoit and Moon Struck by Jeff Murray and Myles Keller). I plan to do an extensive overhaul on my library by re-reading every book in my library while taking notes in a journal style book. I truly feel that this is necessary in order to gain the maximum value of my reading. I'm not one of those types who can read it once and then I got it. I have to continually review material in order to retain it. Scouting is another big one for me. I do my fair share of scouting in the late winter/early spring, but I plan on possibly taking time off to truly get a feel for some of my newer places I have taken on. Getting to attend a Beast Workshop would be the icing on the cake.
And of course, watching the Beast videos ad nauseam..... LOL
2.Quality of Sits -vs- Quantity of Sits-
Not something entirely new to me but I want to get better at it by studying movements based on wind, weather, pressure (hunting and barometric), moon (OH/UF), red moon days, time of year, & food. By virtue of these, maximize my first sits by being at the right place at the right time and knowing when to move in for the strike and knowing when to lay off.
I remember Andre D. saying something that really resonated with me this year: "Never hunt the same tree twice". This is also something I'm contemplating. I have the means to do it but in a perfect world I'd want to scout the tree(s) in off-season, and mark the tree via gps(with a combination of pre-hung and mobile set-ups) vice trapsing around the woods aimlessly during hunting season. Don't get me wrong though, there will be instances where I will go completely rogue with a mobile set-up and hit the hot sign.
3. Research Buying A Small Parcel and Developing It Into A Hunting Spot (Long Term)-
I have a good amount of land to hunt already but this is something I've always wanted to do. I need to do research... much more research before I decide to pull the trigger. I'm not in a position to do this now but in the next 5-7 years, I will be. I stand to partially inherit a good amount of land, but it will never be something I can wholly call my own as it will always be considered family owned. In the areas near where I hunt, I could possibly buy, example: let's say a 50 acre parcel for around $75K. This will be a work in progress for me over the next few years and I know I have lot to learn in the selection thereof.
After reading all of this, it looks like a tall order but feasible. [glow=red]I'd be interested to hear insight, recommendations, and what your plans are this off-season and maybe get a few ideas from you all.[/glow] Also, I'm not opposed to being told to lay off the crack pipe as well if you think this is too much and/or a pipe dream
I plan on updating this thread as needed. Thanks guys n gals.
-VA
:)
