I absolutely love to be outdoors hunting and fishing. 

However, it seems that as I grow older, my priorities change and I don’t get to spend quite as much time doing this as when I was younger.  I sat down and came up with a few things that would help me get the most out of the opportunities that I do have.

Here is my plan for the upcoming year. Feel free to give it a try yourself:

1. Get a hunting lease

Last year I talked myself out of having a deer lease and it was a terrible decision. I decided to take trips instead, and to avoid all of the work that a lease requires. 

Boy was that a mistake.  I actually missed doing all of the lease work. 

I also missed hanging out with my lease buddies. I missed knowing that I had a place to go hunt whenever I get ready. Even though I stay busier these days, it is nice to know that I have a place when I get ready.  Trips are fun, but I plan to always have a lease in the future.

2. Plan fishing trips in advance

I love to bass fish. There are four major patterns that bass are on and they follow the weather and seasons. 

While I’m not big on wintertime fishing, I do plan to make at least one spring, summer, and fall trip this year.  These trips will probably be for two or three days each and I will plan them in advance.  What I have found is that if I don’t plan them, I don’t take them.  Something always comes up and I end up not going. 

Hit where you want to fish, then plan it and make it happen.  You will be glad you did. 

3. Do something to improve

This can be applied to hunting and fishing. This may entail reading an article, watching video, practicing, a new technique or attending a seminar.  Different things work for different people.  The main thing is that you try to not only sharpen, but add to your skills in the outdoors.  The better you get, the more you will enjoy it! 

4. Pay it forward

Be sure to give back to the outdoors.  This can be done in so many ways.  It can start with joining a conservation organization like Ducks Unlimited, Coastal Conservation Association, or National Wild Turkey Federation. The list goes on and on with great organizations. 

Don’t just join, participate.  Help make these organizations successful.  You might also consider taking a newbie on their first hunting or fishing trip.  In other words, do what you can to keep our outdoor traditions alive for future generations.

I hope these ideas point you in the right direction and that you have a great new year in this wonderful world of outdoors that God has so graciously given us!

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Brian Johnson, originally of Port Neches, is pastor of First Baptist Church of Winnie, owner of DuckDogTrainer.com and outdoors writer for The News.