My Outdoors resolutions for 2024

Happy New Year to you all. One of the hardest things to do at this time of year is making a list of resolutions for the new year. Even harder than that is keeping those resolutions, but we’ve got 365 days to work on that, right?

I’m not afraid to share my resolutions, even the ones that I am unable to keep. For the purposes of this column, I’d prefer to only address my 2024 resolutions that pertain to the world of the outdoors.

I resolve to do more hunting and fishing than I have done recently. The number of days I have been spending hunting and fishing has gone down in recent years. That sad fact is going to change. I’m a busy guy with a lot to do, but the enjoyment of my favorite pastimes is not going to take a backseat to other activities any longer. I am not going to take a pass on a fishing outing to do other, less enjoyable things, I promise.

I am going to learn new outdoor skills this year to become a better and more well-rounded outdoorsman. I have fly fished in the past but have never gotten proficient at it. I resolve to become a better fly fisherman in 2024. If I can become skilled at fly fishing, it will just give me a new method and more opportunities to catch more fish. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I resolve to take someone fishing who has not fished in a very long time. It’s a great thing for the sport to reintroduce someone to it. I drive past many ponds on the grounds of senior citizen residences every day and I rarely see anyone fishing. I’ll bet those senior living homes are full of people who used to fish, but no longer do it, and would love to be handed a rod and reel and taken down to the pond for an afternoon of fishing. I’m going to do that for sure.

I resolve to introduce a youngster to fishing. My new granddaughter, Emily is just turning 1 year old and I just can’t wait until she is old enough to handle a fishing rod. I’ll never be able to be the first to take her fishing, because, Daniel, her father, will insist on being the first. But I plan on being with them the first time she reels in her first bluegill.

I resolve to be a better steward of the environment in 2024. Just as Boy Scouts are taught to make sure that the area that they recreate in is left in better condition after they use it, I plan on making that my new mantra. I’ll pick up garbage from rivers and lakes, even if it was left there by someone else.

I resolve to be a more positive person in 2024. I promise to not make negative comments on social media. Snarky comments don’t do any good for anyone.

I resolve to practice the shooting sports more often. I used to be a good shot, but I am afraid my skills have eroded. I plan on getting them back up again. I eat everything that I shoot, and I love the taste of birds and game. It’s silly for me not to take advantage of free food, complements of Mother Nature.

I resolve to always remember to thank the man upstairs for the world full of fish, birds and animals we live in. We are lucky to be able to practice our favorite sports thanks to Him.

• Daily Herald Outdoors columnist Steve Sarley can be reached at sarfishing@yahoo.com.