Revisiting My Goals from 2013 – How Did I Fare?

Everything seemed to hit me all at once a couple weeks ago. In fact, it felt like an implosion in my brain that left me feeling less than inspired to write. It took some solo hunting, backyard camping with my daughter, and watching some On Your Own Adventures online to get me fired back up. I thought it would be fitting to share with you all how my 2013 went. My 2014 goals are rolling around in my head, but in the meantime, here is what transpired in 2013. 

2013 Goals & Objectives for The SoCal Bowhunter

1. Shoot at a 3D target range (or set one up). ~ I didn’t make it out to a 3D range this year. Guess I have to REALLY focus on doing that in 2014.




2. Get back into bowhunting shape and I don’t mean just losing weight. ~ I totally succeeded with this one! Not only did I get back in shape, I kept the weight off during hunting season. That will give me an advantage for the 2014 hunting seasons, provided I keep working my tail off, lifting weights, and practicing at the range.




3. Do more turkey and hog hunting. ~ While I did not get out turkey hunting, I made it out hog hunting a few more times and got closer than I have in the past. I ventured onto new public land, made some new friends and hope to get an arrow into one this year.




4. Arrow a SoCal deer (pacific-hybrid or mule, I don’t care). ~ This monkey is now off my back! I worked my tail off for the past few seasons to get close to a deer during the archery season and it finally happened.




5. Spend some more time freshwater and saltwater fishing. ~ I made it out one time this year. Only once, but it was priceless as I took my daughter fishing for the first time. It was a great experience and I cannot wait to go more in 2014.




6. Gain access to some new hunting areas. ~ I succeeded with this goal, too! I found some new area on my own and also some new areas with the help of some new friends. I am working hard to find some other areas available for deer hunting this next year where there are more deer, less hunters, and more opportunity.




7. Save up for the 2014 Archery Trade Association (ATA) Show. ~ Yeah, this went downhill fast. While I wanted to go, my daughter’s birthday is at that time and I didn’t have the cash to go. No worries though. I am happy with my decision and will look forward to hearing from my fellow bloggers who are going.




8. Spend more time taking good, quality photographs in the field. ~ I was sort of middle of the road on this one. I opted to take my Nikon into the field more, but split the time with my iPhone in regards to blog photos. It was very convenient for me to do that and worked well.




9. Visit some product manufacturers factories or offices and get to know some of the people behind the scenes. ~ This didn’t happen as most of the companies were only open M-F and I would have had to take time off of work to go do tour the facilities. Hopefully, sometime it’ll happen, but it wasn’t a priority.

10. Teach someone new how to shoot a bow. ~ I didn’t necessarily get to teach someone directly, but I was able to help a few people get back into archery or just answer some questions. It was great to be a part of that and now I hear more and more people locally are wanting to shoot. Alright!




11. Volunteer for the 2013 Sheep Survey ~ I was a part of this and again we failed to see sheep, but it was windy as hell when we were out there. I did get to do a review on some gear and test my own will power. I plan on volunteering in 2014 and hitting up a different spot in hopes of seeing sheep!




12. Apply for some draw tags and preference points. ~ I have thought long and hard on this one and want to do it, but really like the idea of doing DIY hunts, OTC in other states. If I had a steady flow of ‘hunting cash’ I’d probably apply more, but for now I will stick with what I can do in the moment.




13. Continue to pursue out-of-state hunts. ~ Hunting Colorado spoiled me and I am planning on going back after elk in 2014. I am also planning on hunting in a Midwest state or heading back to NY to hunt with my family. I just haven’t decided on which yet.  

Did you have any goals for 2013 and did you achieve them? Please share and if you have any ideas, suggestions, or challenges, too! I would love to read about them.