It’s amazing how quickly a year can pass. Winter has officially arrived and 2026 beckons new beginnings for all of us.
This is precisely the time of year when I intentionally try to slow down time — sometimes easier said than done — amid the holiday hustle and bustle of gathering with family and friends. While time together with loved ones is certainly cherished, our culture sometimes places too much emphasis on the need to “do it all” — to be everywhere, see everyone, and make sure everything is perfect.
This season isn’t about high expectations. It’s about simplicity, and I urge all to find time to take a breath and simply be grateful for our wonderful blessings in life. The easiest way to do that is to unwind outside and enjoy the wonders of the natural world that were gifted to us from the dawn of time.
There’s something pure and distinctively enriching about the kiss of cool air on exposed skin, the crunch of fallen leaves beneath sturdy boots and the dazzling tumble of exhaled vapors on a winter day. Hunting for the annual Christmas tree is a beloved pastime for everyone in my family.
My wife and I always take the kids to a local tree farm, where we hike through the sprawling rows of Douglas Fir, Blue Spruce and White Pine to select the just-right fit for our living room. Then I cut the tree down, load it on a cart, and wheel it back to the vehicle to tie-down and transport to our home.
Once the holidays pass, the tree goes first to our goats for a tasty treat and then gets added to the brush pile out back as supplemental wildlife cover. It’s a simple routine we look forward to repeating yearly.
There are many other outdoor traditions in which to partake through the holidays. For starters, bird watchers might wish to participate in the Audubon Society’s Christmas Bird Count, which is underway through Jan. 5 every season and serves as the nation’s longest running citizen science project. Fueling Audubon’s work throughout the year, it’s easy to learn how to get involved by visiting the society’s website online.
Birders of another sort — a few water fowling friends of mine — share a traditional goose hunt on the mornings of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day every year, taking advantage of their vacation from work to hit the local farm fields with large decoy spreads to entice traveling migrates into range. Being talented callers and pretty good shots, they usually limit-out well before noon so they are home with their families for the rest of the day.
In years past, I remember spending some of my Christmas breaks hunting rabbits with my older brother. While we seldom get out together for small game anymore — often opting for larger game now — there are plentiful opportunities to pursue squirrels, rabbits, hares and ring-necked pheasants across the state for those who wish to do so.
A few years ago, I began running a small family trap line near my house while my children were home from school during holiday break. This has been a lot of fun, as we’ve caught red fox, raccoons, opossums, skunks, mink and muskrat all within the vicinity of our little homestead.
It is low maintenance to check the traps, gives us daily exercise and has proven to be highly engaging for both my son and daughter. Plus, we’ve acquired some prime fur we’ve turned into hats, mittens and even unique arrow quivers.
I’ve found the late season to be an excellent time to pursue whitetails as well. For years, my family has gotten together on the day after Christmas to participate in the flintlock muzzleloader season opener. Pursuing deer with this primitive-style firearm is a real challenge, but it’s also tons of fun, especially when shared with a good group of people.
I’ve also discovered that evening sits in a deer stand overlooking a food source can prove extremely productive for late-season archery hunters, however, it’s important to dress warmly, limit movements and remain as quiet as possible. With all the leaves off the trees, it’s easier for deer to pick up on things that might seem out of place.
There even exists a dedicated group of trout anglers that gathers early on New Year’s Day to probe the icy waters of local streams in pursuit of their first fish catch of the New Year. With the right gear and mindset, this event is surely as amusing as it is rewarding.
Taking a brisk walk, jog or bike ride outside can be equally fulfilling as you get your mind, body and soul right for the true meaning of this special season. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed by the pressures of the holiday to do list, step outside for some fresh air, and perhaps, even start some new outdoor traditions of your own.
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