Skill, not stuff 2026 challenge

[BLJ]

I'm not gonna have any excuses for misses

Wind.

 

[goalie]

Wind.

Sucking at reading the wind is a reason, not an excuse.

The cure to sucking at reading the wind is more and better practice.

The purpose of this (for me) isn't to get to zero mistakes, but to make the mistakes I do make less frequent and much smaller.

 

[madtinker]

Every year I am tempted to buy a new rifle, and every year I say “if I spent $1000 dollars on ammo and/or training, that would get me better results than a new rifle”, then I don’t do it and everything stays the same. So this year I am committing to doing more shooting, with a friend who is better than me and can help figure out if my rifle needs some tweaking or if the problem is all me. Then, I need to practice enough that I can actually improve.

 

[Speaks]

Bird hunting is my passion much more than big game. I actually dont think I have bought anything new for that either this season or the last. My kit is just dialed in how I want it and there is really nothing I want to add.

Same with fishing, other than backfilling a broken rod and a few lost lures getting 1:1 replacement I just dont have anything new I want.

As I have gotten back into big game hunting and wanting to up my shooting game over the last year I have bought a bunch of stuff. I think I am at a stage now where I just go out and use everything hard for awhile and make sure what I have is working, and likely sell off some stuff.

I honestly cant see buying much in 2026. One exception is a pair of Rokstock lites if I can manage to get my hands on them.

 

[sodaksooner]

I'd like to become more proficient with a shotgun. I only have one, a 2nd hand Benelli Nova I picked up years ago from my brother. He is a bird hunting addict and I have never really done it seriously. I'd like to learn from him but we live 12 hours apart. I have cheap access to skeet, trap, and sporting clays so I really have no excuse other than to get out and do it, at least the shooting part. I am trying to get him to modernize his archery setup and do some 3d with me, so it'd be a nice back and forth.

Need to keep practicing with the rifle and do more load development.

Would like to start loading for my AR.

I need to develop some proficiency with saddle hunting. I am most of the way there with gear, and have used a hybrid out of a tree stand, but I hunt a lot of public and it seems to be a good way to get in and out quickly.

 

[BLJ]

Sucking at reading the wind is a reason, not an excuse.

I’m going to have to reevaluate then.
That’s always been my go to.

 

[goalie]

I'm set. The SWFA 3-9x HD didn't disappoint. Everything was fine at -5* 100 yard zero is set, tracking was nuts-on.

 

[SkeeterMcgiblet]

A crazy old guy in powerlifting always said "dont have $100 shoes and a 10 cent squat". For shooting it could be "don't have a 0.25 moa gun and a 10 moa shooter"

 

[fatlander]

Tags >>> gear

Gear doesn’t kill stuff. Time in the bushes with a tag in your pocket does.


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[NickyD]

I like this idea. I think there’s such an emphasis on buying gear and optimizing setups. I’ve been trying to figure out how to shave off 3-5 pounds in my pack when I could certainly lose 50 pounds of fat.

We’re having our first kid next year and it really makes you think twice about buying gear so I’ll be doing this naturally.

Getting in shape and shooting more sounds like a good time.

 

[Animalmutha]

Rocking the same bow since 2022. Do I want a new one…..yes. Did I just re string this one and it shoots lights out. Yes. Damn. Guess I don’t need a new bow.

The sickness of new hotness gear comes from influencers constantly shoving it down our throats.

I want all the new gear. But luckily have restrained myself. For now.

 

[Mr. October]

I’m going to have to reevaluate then.
That’s always been my go to.

There is always solar flares.

 

[Mr. October]

Rocking the same bow since 2022. Do I want a new one…..yes. Did I just re string this one and it shoots lights out. Yes. Damn. Guess I don’t need a new bow.

The sickness of new hotness gear comes from influencers constantly shoving it down our throats.

I want all the new gear. But luckily have restrained myself. For now.

The "hunting industry" has NOT been good for hunting.

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Torqued to 18 inch pounds.

You’re going to have a bad time if that’s all you torqued your ring cap screws to. Double that number and you’ll be in the right range.

Those are similar to the UM Tikka rings in that they are wide and spread out the clamping force, requiring more than the standard 25 in lbs. if you don’t want a loss of zero.

 

[highcountrymuley]

Not having a lot of disposable money and having a kind of a luddite- mentality has kept me from being a gear hound all my life! I started hunting at 10 years old and western hunting (successfully) in 2010. My brother buys enough gear for both of us each year! I have my stuff the way that works for me and plan on keeping doing the things I have done to stay successful. More stretching and focus on fitness is my only focus as I get older each year. Good luck to everyone in figuring out how to improve their success and enjoyment of the hunt.

 

[flyfisher117]

For the most part yes.

But there is still some stuff I want and need. I may or may not get it 2026 though. I need to get a rifle with iron sights. I want to get a hot tent or diesel heater to make November/December front country hunts more enjoyable.

Otherwise I just need to stock up on reloading components so I can keep practicing.

 

[LIWolverine]

I’m finally set on sleep setups, clothing, packs, boots, rifles, bows, arrows, etc. The only thing I will be buying will be new glass. I had to sell all my Swaros for a temporary financial situation that is almost remedied. The first purchase will be 10x42 NL’s.

After that it’s ammo for two rifles and some pistol courses to continue to hone my skills in shooting and weapon handling.

I’m a BIG believer in investing in skills over stuff but stuff can absolutely help you maximize your skill set.


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[thinhorn_AK]

yes absolutely. in 2026, one goal is to use money for trips and not more gear. I've actually been streamlining my equipment for the past few months like getting rid of my "extra" backpack...thats been extra for 3 years or getting rid of 3 old fly rods and replacing them with a newer one that I really want and would use. At this point, all my extra stuff is mostly gone. Now I can focus on fitness and actual hunting/fishing.

 

[HighUintas]

Because I currently can't shoot and don't know when I'll be able to again (unless I buy a left hand gun) I am on the fitness and buy shit train. Except I've been banned from buying stuff. So, I guess I'm on the fitness and work on the house train. Put in a new entry door yesterday. I guess completing it felt good, but buying a damn entry door doesn't feel as good as buying hunting gear.

 

[Plainsman79]

I’m in on this-spend more time with my weapons prior to season. Especially my bow as I’ve been in a long slump with archery gear.

I try to stay in shape year-round but I have room to increase all around muscle with better cardiovascular.

I’m pretty sure I can drop around 5lbs out of the pack with some gear improvements. ATS to STC, one man tent with a better bag/pad, but can surely make do with what I’ve been using the last 7 years.