As we wrap up all of what has occurred in our lives throughout the calendar year 2021, many folks would probably say, “Good riddance!”

Upon close review, however, there were no doubt many positive things that occurred during the past year that we can be thankful for. Unfortunately, all of the good was too often overshadowed by things that were simply out of our control, such as COVID-19 and the all-too-present political twist to everything!

The upside to all of the negatives that dragged us down in 2021 is that on Saturday, a new year begins, and we can each decide how we will conduct our lives in the coming year. A huge step in the right direction for a better outcome in the next 12 months is to create and follow through with some realistic resolutions.
Regarding your health and physical fitness:

The number one resolution that most folks make is becoming more physically fit. And it is a great one for sportsmen to adopt. Every year as the fall hunting season begins, there are gruesome discoveries made by hunters — entering the woods in the first few days of the seasons, historically they might come across the remains of someone who has been declared missing. Usually, that missing individual is someone who is not an outdoorsman, not very physically fit, and not prepared to survive very long in an outdoor environment.

There are numerous avenues through which you can work on improving your strength and cardiovascular health, and they don’t have to be expensive. Calisthenics such as pushups, pull-ups, and sit-ups will build strength, and hikes along logging roads or any of our many nearby established hiking trails will greatly improve your cardiovascular system.

On being a better sportsman:

We all like to think of ourselves as being responsible, respectful, and ethical when it comes to how we conduct ourselves as hunters and fishermen. On a recent hunting trip to Saskatchewan, I had a unique opportunity to spend time with several First Nation people. These Native folks were here on this continent long before Columbus decided to sail the ocean blue. They were members of the Cree Nation, and they shared with me some of their culture, including their high regard and respect for all facets of the World of Nature. I was fortunate to learn from them through their stories and by observing them firsthand during our hunts for mule deer, whitetail deer, and moose. In the end, I was thankful, not just for the delicious venison that I brought home, but even more so for the increased knowledge of and respect for all aspects of nature.

Resolve to share the bounty:

Over the years, I have certainly enjoyed commercially raised meat, fish, and fowl, but none of it ever surpasses the taste and joy of eating any of the game that I have taken myself. Along with knowing I am eating something that is free-range, devoid of government-approved chemicals, and simply better for you than store-bought products, there is also the reflection of the hunt or fishing trip that enabled me to bring home such great protein for the dinner table.

While it is very rewarding to dine on your own harvests, it is often even more enjoyable when you share the meal with friends, and particularly when you introduce a non-hunter or non-fisherman to the pleasures of such a feast and they become interested in trying out the sport for themselves as a result.
Pass it on:

If you are reading this, you are already someone who knows and enjoys the wonders of our outdoor world. Hopefully, you belong to one or more outdoor-related organizations that help preserve and promote what you enjoy.

A valuable step that each of us can make is to mentor someone into the activities we participate in. There could be a young member of your family or a neighborhood youth that would love to learn about the outdoors. There are many adults who never had the opportunity to hunt, fish, or shoot a firearm of any kind that would if someone would mentor them, become avid supporters of any of these outdoor activities. You don’t have to look very far to find someone who would appreciate and learn from your efforts to mentor them and would add to the ranks of sportsmen who may someday be voting on an issue that affects the future of outdoor sports for all of us.

What you do or don’t adopt in the way of resolutions for 2022 is certainly up to you. Consider some of the above suggestions, but most importantly, make a few realistic resolutions and then stick to them.

Here’s hoping that 2022 brings you health and happiness — with the wind at your back and the sunshine in your days.