Outdoors Resolutions – 2022

True to my past record, deer season delayed me getting these put together, but I’m excited to share some of my 2022 Resolutions, even if they’re a month late…

Last year, despite my best efforts, I only managed to achieve 2 out of 5. But in pursuing these goals, I enjoyed the challenge and uncertainty of trying new things. This year will be no different! (You can read about my 2021 goals here!)

So let’s get started!

#1 Harvest a Turkey

Last year, I got to experience the thrill and disappointment of spring turkey hunting. It’s safe to say that I was immediately hooked. We’ve got a strategy this year, and I’m anxious to put it to the test. Hopefully, this will be the year!

#2 Land a Bull Redfish (Red Drum)

Over the summer, I had the opportunity to watch a lot of family members land their first ever bull red, and it’s always such an exciting experience! From watching them get pulled around the boat to finally netting that giant and admiring their shining scales in the sun.

Despite gaining a new personal best of 28” on the dot, I have yet to catch my elusive bull red. I’m excited to continue the chase this year!

#3 Increase my Compound Bow Draw Weight

After harvesting my first deer with a bow during archery season, I’m ecstatic to do more bow hunting! Starting off with a crossbow to gain a stronger understanding of shot placement, timing, and distance made my first bow hunting experience a huge success.

That being said, I’m still anxious to get a chance to hunt with my compound bow. I have so much respect for how much skill it takes to shoot them without ever aiming at an animal, and now that I see the potential yield for the freezer, I’d love to do more.

We’ve got about 9-ish months until the next archery season, so I’ve got some work to do!

#4 Learn how to Flyfish

Freshwater fishing in the mountains and watching episodes of MeatEater have cultivated a careful curiosity in me about flyfishing. As Steven Rinella would say, I’m more of a “bloody knuckle angler”, but the skill and strategy of flyfishing is so intriguing…

I might be cheating with this resolution, because through an amazing group called Fishanistas, I’m planning on learning this summer in Colorado! Fishanistas is a community on Facebook devoted to creating a safe space for female anglers to learn, connect with other female anglers, and share their successes. This group includes women from all over the country doing all kinds of amazing things on the water. This was the first women’s outdoor community that I joined, and I’m so excited and humbled to be sharing this experience with them.

Lady anglers, if you’re reading this, join us on Facebook!

#5 Gut my own deer

Alright. Don’t take away my outdoorswoman card until I explain myself.

Before the fall of 2015, I didn’t like being outside. I grew up in a ballet studio in pink satin and fluffy tulle. And when I wasn’t at the studio, I was at home with my nose in a book reading about women who go on adventures and do amazing things.

My boyfriend (now husband) was a passionate and accomplished outdoorsman and wanted to take me hunting. I agreed, hoping I could at least enjoy spending time with him doing something he loved, even if the hunting part wasn’t for me. We were bow hunting, sitting on the ground in the rain and I got busted by a doe that came to about 30 yards from us. That experience forever hooked me on the magic of nature.

So I started hunting. The first time I watched an animal get field dressed and quartered out, I could hardly stomach the smell or the sight. It was unlike anything I had ever been exposed to in my entire life. I think it’s why a lot of people have a hard time understanding hunting; most people have no experience with steak before it’s a steak on a plate.

Over time, I progressed with each animal I was around. Went from watching to holding the deer still while it was hanging; went from holding to putting small cuts of meat in baggies with gloves on; eventually ditched the gloves; and this year, I was finally able to get in with a knife to help skin and quarter it out.

But the gutting part still held me back. I’ve become accustomed to everything else except the guts. There’s something about that transition that I’ve still been working to overcome, and this year, I’m going to do it. I’m so thankful that my husband took things slow with me as a mentor, and I’m ready to finally bridge that gap in my experience.

Despite not achieving all of my resolutions from last year, I’m excited to pursue these new goals and experience all the adventures (and misadventures!) along the way!