By Jeff Kurrus
I should have done this years ago. Grab an old calendar and, alongside a collection of photos and journal entries, fill in your outdoor activities through the years. A few areas to consider:
Include days you had success
Patterns will develop telling where you should hunt/fish at the same time next year.
Also include days you haven’t had success
Sometimes we force trips — over and over again — because we’re convinced a result will occur. Use this calendar to try something new.
Include who you were with
Time goes by incredibly fast. The bird hunt you think you went on last year might have occurred four years ago. Reach out to people you’ve had fun with in the past to get together again. This is especially important to stay in touch with landowners and remind yourself of the gifts you need to drop off to them for allowing you access.
Save vacation days
I didn’t realize until this calendar how many days I spend in the field each January. Between ice fishing and goose hunting, I’m out all of the time. Good to know so you don’t schedule any doctor’s appointments during prime time.
Talk to friends
One of my fishing buddies works nights and weekends, leaving his weekdays open for fishing. Most of the time I am not with him, but I have included everything he’s told me throughout the year. Just because you weren’t with your buddy doesn’t mean that information can’t be good for your future trips to the water or woods. Also include what tactics are being used, as they might be different from yours.
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