Last week I had the chance to accomplish one of the things I've always wanted to do, bow hunt an elk. I loaded up the truck and headed out to Arizona to join Elite Series angler Cliff Pirch for an elk hunt. Hunting elk in Arizona is the equivalent to bass fishing on Clear Lake or Lake Falcon — it's where the big ones live. In the end I shot an elk that might not be a trophy sized elk, but to me it was a trophy.
On the drive home I got to thinking about why it took me so long to do this. I've always wanted to do it, but why did it take me so long to get in my truck and head to Arizona and get the job done? Then I started thinking in terms of everyone in general, and how many people have things they want to do whether it be for hobby, sport, or within their career. I would hope that most people get out and do what they've always wanted to do. I think in a lot of cases it ends up being like I was with the elk hunt, just something I talked about and thought "some day" about. Now's the time people, every day that goes by leaves one less day for you, me, us to accomplish something on our "to do" list.
I understand that not everyone wants to hunt an elk, but maybe you want to run a 5k or marathon, skydive or bungee jump, catch a bass, catch a muskie, catch a redfish, or something as simple as travel to one of the coasts and see the ocean. For some people there could be only one thing you've always wanted to do, and for others there could be a long list — but I think almost everyone has something they've always wanted to accomplish. Get out there and do it.
For me, I have a long list of things on my "to do list." Most of them evolve around the great outdoors and hunting and fishing. Some of them I would consider my hobby and others part of my job. Just a few of the things still on my list are; catch a tuna, hunt a moose, hunt a caribou, catch a 10-pound bass, win the Classic, and most important — get my kids involved in doing some of these things with me. Both my kids, Makayla and Mason, have grown up with the love to hunt and fish, which has allowed us to enjoy many great times together in the outdoors, but the older they get the more I see myself taking more enjoyment out of their successes than I do my own.
Over the years, I have accomplished a few of my "to do list" items including peacock bass fishing and the taking of a Pope and Young class buck, but I still haven't got that Boone and Crocket buck so it remains on the list. Most recently, this summer, I enjoyed catching bonefish in Florida with my son Mason.
As I round up my offseason with the accomplishment of one of my "to do list" items, I have to get back on my other "to do list," which is no less important. It's time to get ready for the 2015 Elite Series season. Things like getting the boat and trucks wrapped, jersey designed, campgrounds reserved, the fifth wheel prepped and the tackle organized and ready to go. It's all fun stuff, but it doesn't get done on it's own.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone out there. Enjoy the time with your family and friends and as you are sitting there watching football following dinner — be sure to consider when you are going to get on the next item on your "to do list."