Published: December 29, 2007 11:28 pm            

MARTINO: Appreciate what our outdoors have to offer

As the year passes, make resolutions

Sooner or later, everyone does it. Every January, books of resolutions are offered up by people of all ages, occupations and walks of life. Unfortunately, the binding is not strong enough to hold it all together and after a few short weeks the only thing left of the book are a few ripped pages.

Health oriented resolutions are the most popular, often the most difficult, and the first to go. Stop smoking, lose weight, exercise more and imbibe less are all favorites — at least for a few short weeks.

Then there are long term resolutions like painting the house next spring when the weather warms or completing that landscaping project you’ve talked about. It seems like a great idea in the dead of winter, but as soon as the weather warms there are hundreds more important and fun things to do.

To me, the facts seem surprisingly clear. New Year’s promises concerning health, home or business are not what’s needed to maintain yearlong integrity. You see, sportsmen have a different mindset regarding annual resolutions, and most set goals that are not only easily achievable but uplifting and enjoyable.

And don’t let age be a factor when making these types of resolutions; you need to start as young adults, because whoever decided 50 was middle-age needs to be switched in the face with a casting rod! After all, how many 100 year old sportsmen do you see? Did I mention the promise to treat people nicer during the oncoming year is usually the second resolution to go?

For example, if you made it out to deer hunt only five days this year, then you’re just going to have to resolve yourself to pursue whitetails 10 times next fall. If you have neglected spending time afield hunting small game, then you will just have to bite the bullet and force yourself to make more time gunning for rabbits or maybe pheasant and quail.

There may be family members or friends who need mentoring in the art of bass fishing or wading our area’s many creeks and streams. Plan to spend more time on the water.

This may be the year you have to buck-up, keep a stiff upper lip and order that new G-Loomis custom made rod you’ve always wanted. After all, the other 12 you have are already several years old. Perhaps you and yours will just have to resolve yourselves into that new SUV, 4-wheeler, snowmobile or bass boat you’ve dreamed about for years.

Or it may be the year to put yourself second and focus on advancing your children’s knowledge of geography, history, and ecology by making that long, burdensome trip to Alaska, Montana or the Florida Keys. So much can be learned from hunting and fishing trips in remote, historically significant reaches of the globe.

Humor aside, there are some resolutions that need to be taken very seriously. People with four or five decades behind them are finding that birthdays and New Years are coming around at an accelerated pace and it becomes increasingly important to make the most of every outdoor experience. The most important elements to enduring another 365 days are health, hope and happiness.

If your mom or dad are still alive, make a very special resolve to spend a few days together outdoors, while you still can. Don’t overlook a few special trips with your own children either. A lazy afternoon floating a creek will yield rewards not achievable with any amount of money. It may take a bit of time from your more serious hunting or fishing endeavors, but the future dividends will be well worth the investment.

We should all make a resolution to teach one youngster about the rewarding sports of fishing, hunting, boating or other traditional pastimes. For children who have no outdoorsman in their family it is a small gift that means so much to both participants. Think of all the sites you have missed and resolve to take a camera with you on every outdoor trip.

Resolve to shoot more game with a camera and less with a gun. Catch more fish, but keep fewer. Make fishing trips more about camaraderie and less about catching.

Vow to share more with others. Many people would love to try venison sausage or crappie fillets. It’s not a matter of keeping more fish and game, just sharing a bit of what you have been fortunate enough to take.

One of the most overlooked resolutions is to offer the utmost respect to the game you pursue and be thankful for the opportunities you have to go afield. A bass that throws the hook in mid-air, a duck that refuses to decoy, a trophy buck that slips away all deserve respect, not wrath. Enjoy the challenge, opportunities and lessons that fish and game provide.

Resolve to live each day to the fullest and to get into our great outdoors as frequently as possible and to help others enjoy it as well.

Thanks for reading and I wish you all a healthy, happy 2008!

John Martino is the Tribune’s outdoors columnist. He may be reached through the sports department at (765) 454-8574.

        

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