Yes, I know it is already April 15, but you can use this template to generate a list of goals for the summer fishing season as saltwater and freshwater opportunities start to multiply or for this fall’s hunting season.  I have found that writing down a list of goals helps you concentrate your efforts to accomplish your aspirations.  Also, and I think this is very important, if you have written down that you want to put your tag on a 120″ + Pope and Young buck you are way more likely to pass up that 105″ buck that comes by your stand in October as you wait for a real stud!  Writing down goals also might mean the difference between not getting out and going after that fox squirrel in late December and simply staying inside during the last stages of hunting seasons.  It provides a certain extra level of motivation to get out there.

Now, I know some of you are saying….I go hunting to get away from pressure and just enjoy getting out there with no cares in the world.  Good, then do that.  I also get out hunting a lot in the fall and enjoy every second I’m in God’s creation.  However, I do like the challenge and satisfaction of meeting personal goals that I’ve made for myself.  So, first decide if you would like that little bit of added pressure and challenge before you jot down your list of goals.  Well, enough about that…here is my list for 2008.  Some of the goals will be met easily, some may be met if I get a little lucky, and some goals set the bar higher than my previous personal best and will require a circumstance of being at the right place at the right time and everything going right…that’s part of the fun!

Personal best longnose gar, Gaston Lake 2007

Bowfishing —> 10 pound bowfin (already accomplished with a 10-2), 13 pound longnose gar (1 pound bigger than my personal best), 35 pound grass carp (5 pounds bigger than my personal best), 14 pound common carp (2 pounds bigger than my personal best)

Big game hunting —> Draw a Kentucky elk tag (FAT CHANCE!!!), 120″ archery buck in NC, 2 doe archery kills, 135″ Kansas muzzleloader buck, a feral hog (probably not going to beat my 317 pounder from last year, just want some pork!)

Small game hunting —> Fox squirrel (haven’t killed a Sandhills phase squirrel yet), 10 mourning doves, 2 woodcocks, 10 gray squirrels with .22 (didn’t get out squirrel hunting locally last year, writing it down will get me out there at least once)

Trapping —> 10 muskrats, 40 beavers (personal best is 28), 20 raccoons (personal best is 12), 3 otters, 10 foxes, 1 bobcat

Waterfowl —> mount a mallard drake, hooded merganser drake

Fishing —> 20 pound blue catfish, flathead over 30 pounds (personal best is almost 60 pounds…may be good fodder for a future post), 8 pound largemouth bass

Wow, long list with plenty of opportunities for success and failure…yeehaw…bring it on!