Best outdoor experience this year was having my first true “deer camp” weekend with my inlaws and their extended family. I’ve only ever hunted relatives’ land or my parent’s land near our cabin and having a large group to share everything with was so much more fun. I ended up not shooting a deer that weekend, but the parcel we hunted is/was littered with them and many were shot in our party.
The following weekend I shot probably the last deer ever out of a deerstand I built at my grandparent’s farm 23 years ago that is somehow still standing with mostly original lumber. Both my dad and I shot deer out of that stand this season, adding to the 30+ others shot out of it over the years. It’s been a phenomenal tool, but just too unsafe now and with the next generation coming up, we’re gonna tear it down and replace it with something enclosed to help the kids stay warm.
Due to family obligations, I hunted 6 days total this season for all species combined and in a way I had the most enjoyment I’ve had hunting in many years. Stress level was much lower, and I legitimately appreciated each time afield. My only real regret was not getting out on some late season goose hunts with one of my best friends which are by far my favorite hunts each season.
On the personal front, 2020 will be a year of education. I start working towards my MBA come summer semester and my wife is also planning on starting her Master’s in Personal Financial Planning in the fall. Company paid on both sides, so we’d be stupid not to take advantage. Gonna be a couple years of hell juggling everything, but will hopefully all be worth it. Also really need to finally start the side business I’ve been dreaming/scheming about for the past 5 years. I have pretty much everything I need to get rolling, but for whatever reason just haven’t jumped in yet. Probably not a huge money maker initially, but certainly could be over time if grown intentionally and organically. For now, it’d be cool to clear enough to cover our mortgage payment, even that would drastically change our financial trajectory for the future.