Pre-Season Pep Talk – It’s All Come Down to This

Time seems to fly by quicker year after year. I’m not sure if that’s a me thing or if time has been spending extra hours on its cardio. Whatever it may be, yet another Fall hunting season is about to kick off and I’m floored that it’s already here. You know what they say, though. Time waits for no man. So, let’s take advantage of every minute we have.

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter shooting his bow in preparation for the 2025 hunting season

With opening days in the near future, my mind naturally drifts towards what I’d like to accomplish this season. There’s so much prep involved and I’ve been working harder this year than I ever have. I’ve been in the gym 6 days a week. My bow is not collecting an ounce of dust. And I’ve even started to invest in my own equipment to work on my bow at home. I don’t want there to be even a suggestion of doubt heading into season. And following these motions is what’s necessary to accomplish that. Back to what I’d like to accomplish this season…

Goals for 2025 Hunting Season

7 Tags = 7 Heavy Backpacks

Josh Kirchner from Dialed in Hunter pulling arrows out of his target

Of course the first thing that comes to mind is filling all of my tags. That is something I have yet to do in a Fall, which is fine, but it’s a nice goal to have. The work I’ve been doing ahead of season has filled me with a boat load of confidence in that realm. I’ve got 2 mule deer tags, an antelope tag, and an elk tag this Fall. I might have a few days for Fall bear in AZ as well. Shortly after that I’ll be chasing my beloved coues deer with a sprinkle of javelina. Here’s to heavy backpacks all the way around.

Live in the Moment

Next, is I want to really try to live in the moment out there. This is something I struggle with sometimes. I’m a very objective oriented person and I oftentimes let that blind me from truly appreciating what’s in front of me. Tunnel vision takes over. It changes my mood, my motivation, and my overall perspective. There’s no rush and I want to soak in the experiences ahead. Because, once they’re gone, they’re gone and I’m driving home.

I am a Storyteller

Josh Kirchner packing out a black bear he harvested with his bow in Arizona

On that note of soaking in everything, I would be remiss if I didn’t incorporate my filmmaking into the mix. I’m a storyteller. I always have been and it’s what I love most about what I am so blessed to call my “job.” This season I want to tell the best stories that I can. I want to take the extra time in the field if necessary to create the absolute best hunting film documentaries I can. And I want to grow more and more as a storyteller. I love to educate. I love to inspire. I love to share hunting through my eyes. I can.

It All Comes Down to This

Josh Kirchner drinking a cup of coffee in the backcountry on a bear hunt

Whether you’ve already left for your first hunt, or you’re getting ready to, I sincerely wish you the best of luck out there. Remember, something this season when you get discouraged, down on yourself, or frustrated. You’ve waited for this all year long. Everything we have done up until this point has been for what lies ahead. The dreams we have of arrowing a big mule deer, elk, bear, etc. These are goals that you need to go and get in order to achieve. They aren’t given. They are earned. It all comes down to this…