Outdoor Resolutions for 2008

First and foremost I have to get into shape. I have a shape now, something like a pear with long legs, but it isn’t a very good shape for all the time I want to spend outside hiking, biking, and scouting. My goal before August is to hike from my backdoor with a forty pound pack on my back, up to the top of Fairburn Mountain (the one that everyone in Gilpin seems to be hiking these days), and back home in less than two hours without cursing more than a dozen times. It’s about 1.2 miles uphill, both ways. Not a big deal really. I can probably do it today in four hours if I drive my ATV half way up. I think I’ll start my workouts by hiking down the driveway, grabbing the Sunday paper, and hiking back to the house without using the ATV! I used to pay my son a small allowance when he fetched the paper every Sunday, but the snow and cold has put an end to that arrangement. He says he’s still interested, but only after the spring thaw. Gotta work on that kid.

Second, I resolve to teach my six year old daughter how to fish with a fly rod. I know there are some prodigies out there (Tyler Befus, to name one) that started at age two, but I’ll be happy if she can just cast a fly before the summer is over. I figure if she can ski like Olymic gold medalist Picabo Street, she’s probably got the dexterity to handle a fly rod. What I’m not sure of is if I have the patience to handle all the screaming, yelling and crying… that’ll I’ll be doing. What may be the toughest part is how her younger brother will react. He’s definitely the “me too” brother, so I’m sure he’ll be getting some lessons as well. It’ll be tough, but I’ll give it my best shot.

Third, I resolve to bag my first high country turkey. Yes, there are turkeys that live this high up, real “gobble-gobble” turkeys. I’ve heard them and I’ve seen them. Where, I can’t tell you (stop asking), but trust me, there up here. I even saw three toms crossing the road during elk season. If you need an excuse to do some hunting in the spring, consider turkey hunting. It’s more fun than ice fishing (what isn’t) and the license is pretty affordable. The 2008 turkey brochures are available online at the Department of Wildlife website or pick one up at Ace Hardware in Nederland while you’re buying your license. I’ll devote an entire article to turkey hunting as the season gets closer.

Fourth, I resolve to practice shooting my elk rifle more. Every book I’ve ever read, and I’ve read a lot of books on elk hunting, tells you to practice, practice, practice. Seems like ever year I get too busy with one thing or another and suddenly elk season is just around the corner and I haven’t fired off a single round. What I really want to do is buy a good .22 with a descent scope and use it for most of my practice. That way I can get more time behind the trigger and save a ton of money. Barring me getting another rifle, which I’m sure would thrill my wife, I endeavor to shoot at least a box a month during the summer. That way, when elk season does roll around again, I’ll be much more confident of my aim.

Finally, I resolve to get more involved with the causes that are near and dear to my heart – conservation and education. I have a few ideas… I’m going to take a few days over the spring, summer, and fall to teach my kids about preserving our wetlands. I want to teach them about all animals depend on clean water and what they can do to make sure that the water is protected from pollution, development, restricted access, etc. Then I’m going to have the kids help me build and place some nesting boxes for the ducks that return every year to our lake. Last, but not least, I’m going to contact some of the organizations that I’ve recently joined (Duck Unlimited and The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation) and see if there’s some way I can put my writing to use for them. Did you know that in 2006 (the 2007 annual report isn’t out yet) Ducks Unlimited raised over $162 million for habitat conservation, conserved more than 169,000 acres, and only used 3% of its donations for administration? That’s pretty impressive for a bunch of duck hunters. What’s even more impressive is that in almost 70 years, DU has conserved 12 million acres of habitat across North America critical to ducks and geese, as well as impacting other species such as fish and big game animals.

In summary – for 2008 I’m committing myself to exercise, frustration, more frustration, a few days at the shooting range, and some quality time with my family. My goals are to be healthier, create a new tradition with my kids, eat free-range turkey, spend more quality time with my elk rifle, and help the environment in some small way. Seems like a reasonable plan to me. What are your outdoor resolutions for 2008?