Prepping For the Pursuit- A Sam Davis Take away
Preseason is the time when all of us prepare for the season ahead. Hopefully, we all have tags in our pockets that will lead to the adventures we're chasing this fall.
As I've gotten older, my approach to preseason preparation has changed in a lot of ways. The responsibilities of being a husband and a father have naturally taken priority over hobbies like hunting. One thing I've learned is that I've become much better at managing my time and making the most of it. If I want to spend every extra opportunity in the fall hunting, I need to make sure everything at home is taken care of first.
For me, the best way to be an efficient hunter is knowing my responsibilities as a husband and father have been handled before I head into the mountains. Thankfully, I have a wife who loves spending time outdoors, whether we're fishing, glassing, or riding our horses. That gives me plenty of opportunities throughout the summer to scout, test my gear, and build confidence in the equipment I'll rely on come fall.
I know that might sound strange to some people, especially if you're a single guy living paycheck to paycheck, putting every extra dollar into gear, scouting trips, and gym memberships. I get it because I was that guy too.
Those things are still important.
I go to the gym every day, and my workouts aren't just casual lifts that I coast through. I train with intensity every session. I make it a point to elevate my heart rate, work up a sweat, and push myself to my limits. I always remind myself that the animals I'm pursuing never get a day off, so neither should I.
Staying in shape and sticking to a routine are incredibly important, but the mental discipline that comes from consistency is often what carries you through a tough hunt.
I have a saying I repeat to myself often: "Consistency creates dedication, and dedication creates consistency."
It may sound simple, but it's something I've believed for years. It's easy to say you're dedicated to something, but I don't think true dedication exists without consistency. Consistency lays the foundation. Once you've put in the work day after day and started seeing results, dedication naturally follows because you don't want to let yourself down.
I don't enjoy waking up at 4:30 every morning to go to the gym, especially on a cold February morning when it's snowing sideways and hunting season still feels months away. But I believe those are the days that make September hunts just a little bit easier.
Throughout the summer, I'm constantly shooting my bow and making sure my setup is dialed. I try to shoot with purpose, thinking through every shot instead of simply flinging arrows downrange.
One of the biggest parts of my preseason preparation is asking myself two questions: What failed me last season? and What can I improve this year?
In reality, knowing what works and sticking with a simple, dependable system often makes you a more efficient hunter.
A reliable headlamp, a quality pack, dependable boots, and trustworthy rain gear will take you a long way. Add a warm puffy jacket and a pair of breathable, quick-drying pants, and you're prepared for almost anything the mountains throw at you.
I've never been someone who feels the need to own the latest and greatest gear. I can't stress enough how much more valuable it is to have tags in your pocket and create unforgettable adventures.