Change, Change, Change…

That’s all we seem to hear our politicians talking about these days.   They seem to think the concept of doing something “new” is what it will take to get them elected.   Out with the old policies…let’s bring in some fresh ideas.   Admittedly, when people feel like they’re in a rut, the prospect of doing something different has a certain exciting appeal.   And why not, if something isn’t working it only seems quite logical to move on to try something different.

Yet, that’s not how all sportsmen approach the sort of things they do outdoors.   Take, for instance, the deer hunter who has sat in the same tree the past several years and doesn’t see squat.   He spends the next several months after the deer hunting season whining about his bad luck, but somehow the concept of moving to try something different doesn’t always seem logical.

Or how about the fisherman who last year on this very same weekend caught his limit of fish in one basic spot using a tried and true technique.   Yet, the following summer when he returns to that very same spot he can’t seem to figure out why the scenario is not repeating itself.

Then, of course, we have the trapper who starts to feel he’s getting pretty good at trapping coyote as the furs seem to be piling up back in the fur shed.   But alas, something eventually goes haywire.   Those same sure-fire techniques that have worked the past two weeks have suddenly hit the proverbial brick wall.   It’s as if the coyotes have figured the trapper out.

The point I’m trying to make here is occasionally as sportsmen we find ourselves getting caught up in a rut and that is not always good.   Remember, those smart politicians tell us change is good.   We must heed their advice.   After all, they are only trying to help us improve our hunting, fishing and trapping success.

One of the worst things that can happen to us as sportsmen is experiencing success.   I’m serious.   Take the deer hunter who shot the trophy buck.   He figures because that particular tree stand scored three years ago it must be a prime spot.   Hasn’t seen many deer since, but he’s too stubborn to incorporate a little change into his game plan.

Same with the fisherman who experienced a once-in-a-lifetime catch last year near this particular structure.   He’s convinced himself all year that his fishing savvy has stumbled onto something that apparently none of the other fishermen on the lake have figured out.   By returning to the same spot, using the very same technique just a year later…it simply has to work.   Don’t you agree?

Of course our successful trapper didn’t take into account that although he’s been riding high catching lots of fur, the critters in the area might eventually figure out that something is up with those particular smells.   As the coyotes adapt, they begin to associate his good fortune with their potential misfortune…thus, they stay away.

Change, change, change…don’t forget the concept.   If politicians can preach it for their own success maybe us sportsmen should take a closer look at their message.   Not from a political perspective, mind you, but rather from an outdoor technique point of view.

Beginning this fall if you start getting frustrated with your lack of success, no matter what it is you’re doing…STOP DOING IT!!!   Try something different.   Be flexible and get out of the routine.   Don’t fall victim to getting caught in a rut and being unwilling to embrace a new strategy.   Often times we stick with what has worked in the past because human nature makes us lazy by default.   Our mind convinces us that we should continue to stick something out even if change might do us good.

This fall one man running on change is going to become the new President of The United States.   I contend there is a lesson to be learned from this political message that we get bombarded with daily.   As sportsmen, we often have the same choice for change in our outdoor strategies and technique.   Do you want to stick with the same old worn out hunting and fishing methods of the past…or is this the year you finally vote for trying something new?

2008 Jim Braaten. All Rights Reserved. No Reproduction without Prior Permission.