Skill, not stuff 2026 challenge

I'm in. I was mulling over upgrading to the new Mathews Arc bow, but I'm going to make myself kill a bull with my V3X first. Will also force me to learn the fundamentals of tuning my own bow (luckily I bought all the bow press stuff last year).

Though I might need some arrows/fletching/field points.
 
I pulled out my shooting mat from my highpower days. Once the LS Wild bags get here, it's time for some shooting in the snow.

The range close to home has some steel at 100 in different sizes that will be nice for positional practice. I'll be bringing paint.

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goalie said:
So, with Black Friday in the rear view mirror, and 2026 on the horizon, has anyone else hit the point where, if you're honest with yourself, it's time to stop thinking about newer, better "stuff" and focus on practice.

I'm going to attempt something my golf buddies and I try (and usually fail at by June) every year: an "I'm not buying anything new" challenge.

Instead of no new clubs (although I'm doing that as well) I'm going to try and buy nothing other than ammo/components from now until next Black Friday.

So, if, like me, you used Black Friday to get everything you need, join in and see who can make it the longest. Print out some targets, load some ammo, and improve yourself, not your gear.

FWIW, I decided to go all-in on the 5.56/223 trainer, and set up a Ruger American Ranch gen2 with flush fit Duramags, a SWFA 3-9x HD, Scope Bumper caps, and some LS Wild lightweight shooting bags. I'm going to spend most of my time shooting anywhere but the bench, and hopefully see significant improvement throughout the year.

So, if you want to try, get your shooting "stuff" by the end of December, and (hopefully) get your skill next year!!!!
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I like this a lot!! But…. Buying new gear is one of the best parts of hunting… most of the rest of it sucks and is hard if you aren’t just driving your SxS up an down closed roads all day…😂😂

I see you applying this to golf and hunting but but not hockey?? I’ll grab my 1995 all aluminum Easton with a flat blade that I keep on the bench for special occasions and take the 2 minutes Tommy Hawking your goalie stick if I know you can’t buy new ones all season.. 😂😂

I all seriousness, I agree. I ordered almost everything I need to put together a poor man’s MRC Marshall in .270, and a few other things… now it is just shooting that and the .223 all winter, summer and spring.
 
DB29 said:
I see you applying this to golf and hunting but but not hockey?? I’ll grab my 1995 all aluminum Easton with a flat blade that I keep on the bench for special occasions and take the 2 minutes Tommy Hawking your goalie stick if I know you can’t buy new ones all season.. 😂😂
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I stopped playing when I turned 48. I had nowhere to go but down with gear, and, unlike shooting, I was good. FB_IMG_1514820521835.jpgFB_IMG_1514820659766.jpgFB_IMG_1514821182709.jpg
 
It's kinda funny the hockey was brought up, as it's something I thought about a bunch the last few years. When I played competitively I didn't change my gear often at all. I got stuff custom made to my specs, and played. When it was close to wearing out, I ordered the next set.

I'll never have just one rifle, but it isn't lost on me that I never routinely changed my gear in the one thing I was actually really good at. The focus was on the playing: speed, vision, flexibility, being on-angle and square to the puck.

I would have still been good with a bag of stuff from play it again sports as long as I had one of my pro level masks due to the guys I played with having shots hard enough to be dangerous to a goalie in a rec-level mask, and good skates that fit with a 1/2" radius edge.

Because, while gear does matter, skill always matters more, and most people never reach the level where gear is why they're not "winning"
 
I have an RCBS precision mic on my Christmas list for my wife and son to "surprise" me with.

It's before the new year and ammunition related, so it doesn't count as "gear" 😁
 
Seeing as ammo related stuff doesn't count, I'll be good getting 6 creed dies for the spare barrel I ordered of BF (currently using 223).

Other things on my list are unneeded luxury items (better spotter, better binoculars), or truly not for me (pack for my daughter, sleeping pads for wife and one daughter). I might actually be able to do this, at least until next BF or id I draw a specific hunt which will truly need a Hilleberg red or black label (almost nothing in AK needs those).

Well, might need a dry suit, but I'll exclude that.
 
Marbles said:
Seeing as ammo related stuff doesn't count, I'll be good getting 6 creed dies for the spare barrel I ordered of BF (currently using 223).

Other things on my list are unneeded luxury items (better spotter, better binoculars), or truly not for me (pack for my daughter, sleeping pads for wife and one daughter). I might actually be able to do this, at least until next BF or id I draw a specific hunt which will truly need a Hilleberg red or black label (almost nothing in AK needs those).

Well, might need a dry suit, but I'll exclude that.
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I'm not including non shooting stuff in this, at least for me. I'm set for camping gear, backpacks etc, but you NEED a good sleep system and pack.

Most of us don't NEED a new rifle, scope, bipod etc...

As is, my 3-9x HD should be here in time to get mounted and out shooting this weekend. I pulled out my old high-power shooting mat, because after getting my 100 yard zero, the bench is dead to me. 😁

And I saw an email saying someone (wife and kid) ordered the 223 precision mic, so fine tuning COAL off o-jive will be easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
 
This has always been my mindset. I dont own a ton of fancy gear. I focus on fitness, shooting, and perfecting what I already have.

Living in a mountain town it always interesting to see so many guys who wear kuiu solids as their every day clothes, who spend less that 5 days a year hunting, never shoot and dont work out.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk
 
Discipline is free.
been there a while, I still break down to upgrade as I can’t stay warm anymore when static in late season.
I survived Black Friday spare a $50 pair of Inov8 after running the soles off my prior light boot.
I’ve been donating older stuff that I’ve not used in a year or two to younger guys.
Also got serious about becoming a 401k millionaire before 50 ( I’ll be 48 next year) , not trying to be a dbag but that should be a priority before over $2k hunts and $1k+ clothing systems

I picked up a stick bow used in 2021 and have settled on it as my main bow and have a few kills and many adventures on it.

Have gotten way better at slowing down and finding critters.
I suck at killing and finding “ mature “deer , I fold like a $200 dollar baselayer. That’s on me - not time on forums or gear.
Only my priorities getting in front of animals more consistently is going to make a big difference
 
grfox92 said:
This has always been my mindset. I dont own a ton of fancy gear. I focus on fitness, shooting, and perfecting what I already have.

Living in a mountain town it always interesting to see so many guys who wear kuiu solids as their every day clothes, who spend less that 5 days a year hunting, never shoot and dont work out.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I just got off my spin bike. Cardio is a thing, and most would do well to lose 20 pounds of fat off their ass instead of spending big bucks to shave ounces off their pack.
 
goalie said:
I just got off my spin bike. Cardio is a thing, and most would do well to lose 20 pounds of fat off their ass instead of spending big bucks to shave ounces off their pack.

It meshes well with th
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It's easier to lose 20lbs off your ass than spend $3k on ultralight gear to lose 5lbs from your pack.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk
 
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