It's that time of year again folks where we reflect on all that has gone wrong this year and vow to make it right in 2016. As hunters and fishermen we, too, can take advantage of change and make next season the best ever.

There isn't a year that goes by that I don't find something in my hunting and fishing routine, which needs be changed. As we head afield we have no clue the events that will transpire, which tends to have you scratching your head from time to time. Most of us pay attention to these unexpected learning experiences and try our best to grow as an outdoor person from them. The list is endless when it comes to tricks and strategies, so I'm going to hit the big ones and let you work out the fine points.

I'm sure from the cold days in the beginning of bow season, many of you weren't expecting to see tee shirt weather in December. This years most negative situation was hands down the heat. The sad thing is this is the worse type of condition to have. Heat unlike other things is much harder to combat and tends to kick your butt. In reflection, I have some tweaking to do to my hunting properties seasonally in an attempt to one up the heat. All of the properties I hunt are covered with thick bedding cover, which makes it hard to find deer at times. When it's hot outside deer move less and tend to seek out thick cover, likely to avoid the rays of sun beating down. When it's like this out it seems the deer don't move at all. The truth is they do move, but much less and typically in the heart of a thicket somewhere. Most of us choose more open woods that allow you to see a good distance. This is the last thing you want to do in the heat. I have seen deer walking through a thicket several years in a row, but haven't done anything about it, because the torment I'm sure to go through hacking 15 foot high walls of roses.

My resolution this year is to set up hunting locations in the depths of Thicketville. I know what I'm getting into and have to say I'm not too excited about it! I plan to hack it out in the winter, when I don't have to worry about being covered in ticks. The bushes and briers are dry and chop much easier than when they are alive. I will be cutting a system of small deer sized trails, with blind and stand sites at pinch points, along with areas that offer a decent 10 to 20 yard shot. I will likely have to cut shooting lanes, but will limit the amount of brush I remove. I want to impact the area as little as possible and cause the least amount of change possible. Once cut I will return in June and the end of September to trim up again and make sure it's still easily accessible. Change is only in the air if you break out the cutting tools and machete, so get busy and make some.