Story by Tom Claycomb III

It always surprises me how many people wait until the day before hunting season to get ready. We had a dear old friend that my wife Katy loved like a father. After he had a stroke, she’d go over every morning and read the Bible to him. One of his sons lived on 10 acres with him.

One day he looked out the window and called Katy over and said look at Dan. He’s going elk hunting tomorrow and is running around this afternoon like a chicken with his head cut off. I guarantee you he’ll make three more trips to the grocery store for some forgotten item.

Then he said come in my office. Out of a folder he pulled out and showed Katy his lists that he had developed over the years for elk hunting, flyfishing trips etc. He said this way I know ahead of time exactly what I’m going to need for each trip.

He went on to say, I guarantee you he will be out there running around until after midnight and get to camp totally ragged out and still forget several key items. Plus, I want to have an enjoyable evening with my wife the night before I leave for a weeklong trip, not leave in a tizzy and not talking to each other.

I want to encourage you to plan ahead for your upcoming events. You free spirits out there would argue, but I don’t want to be restricted. I don’t want to be tied down to some dogmatic list that sucks the fun out of time afield.

I’d argue that making lists and planning allows you to have a smooth, panic free trip that is not filled with chaos and disorder. Such as oh no, I forgot the can opener or my rifle shells or the steaks or the matches and the list could go on and on. You fill in the blanks.

To me, making lists and planning provides for a care free enjoyable hunt. The exact opposite of what the fly by the seat of their pants free spirit proclaims. Plus, their chaotic life always bleeds over and causes undue stress in the lives of everyone around them. (Note-an extreme in either of the two views causes stress to those around them). Morale to the story don’t be so regimented that you suck the fun out of everything you touch, and no one wants to be around you and don’t be so care-free and irresponsible that you cause so much chaos that you screw up every event. Balance is the key.

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