Notwithstanding the the Allstate "Mayhem" ads making fun of New Year's resolutions, I've made a couple or three for myself this year.

• Buy fewer, nicer guns.
• Spend less on gadgets, more on actual hunts.
• Squirrel away enough $ to book a hunt that I really want.
• Get in better hunting shape.

Anyone else?

I kept the last New Year's resolution I made:

- Don't make New Year's resolutions.

I'd like to get a nice Axis buck this year.

I don't really do new year resolutions since when I want to make a change or do something I start the process right then. Having said that my hunting goals this year are.

1. Enter in a bunch of TXPWD draw hunts and hopefully get to hunt mule deer or exotics.
2. Start building points for western hunts.
3. Do a OTC elk hunt in Colorado.
4. Buy or build a new rifle for those type hunts.

One is to get my grandson into long range shooting he is 13 now and shoots awesome. We are building Mauser action .308 we need stock and optics.

Bushbuck with a bow.

-Wait to shoot my trophy WT until closer to Christmas.
-Don't try so hard to communicate to my lease buddies when I see a really good deer, either in person or on camera. It just gets everybody too excited and the camera cards start disappearing, cameras accidentally (?) turned off, "new rules" being discussed, etc.

Make better plans for hunt opportunities & finalize the where and when, with who ??'s ....since I am probably not EVER again get into a lease situation.

Visit and check out TPW Lottery sites to survey local support resources and Hunt Area staff attitudes and hunt conditions. Study the success histories, looking for places to look 1st for any Stand By chances.

Go scout the the NF, etc opportunities for Type II hunts. EX: I drive by the WMA access point signage in Robertson County every time I go to the VA in Temple...and have never stopped to figure what that WMA has to offer...Lake Limestone Access ??? dunno yet, but gonna, might be nuthin' but it might be somethin too...take th time to go see what's up with that Sign.

Finalize load workups on the chosen shooters waaay before the last minute like this year was, with most of my new to me guns never having been hunted before & resolve any issues with which scope is going on which gun before it gets too hot to wring them out at the range.

Sell Off the shooters I'm no longer interested in long term, and shop for another 7mm or 6.5 of some sort...and mebbe try another 9.3x62 for a fun thumper.

Bottom Line: Not gonna sit and wonder where could I go THIS coming week to hunt what on thursday Nite and the weather is perfect? I'd love to 52 weeks a year if it's possible and I wanted to....feels like I am running out of time more and more these days ...still got the desire but less and less of the ability to make things happen. Plan the Hunts & Hunt the Plans
Ron

My new years resolution was to try to actually finish someth