Life Lessons from the 2016 World Series Champion Cubs
Like millions of other Americans we were up late watching the 7th Game of the World Series last night. We're not diehard baseball fans but we were rooting for the Cubs. Always great to cheer for a Chicago team! Watching this game was gut-retching and intense, and it's hard not to take something away from a game like that!
There were plenty of times that I thought, they are out of it but the perseverance was intense. It hard not to put things in perspective and learn from ever opportunity. There were three things that I saw that could be used while hunting and fishing.
- Do Your Homework:
- If you've ever played an organized sport in high school or college you know how important it is to do your homework on the other team. The Cubs just didn't walk into the World Series. They did their homework. They studied their opponents and practiced. This can be applied to fishing and hunting. If you are going out and plan on catching a personal best or harvesting a record buck, your odds are slim. You need to go out find trails, fish the lake, you need to do whatever it takes to put the odds in your favor.
- Shake it off:
- As hunters and anglers we have patience. Some days are better than others. When the Cubs were down two games the Indians had a chance to take the title. However, their determination to bring home the World Series Title moved them through. Yes, there were some plays the Cubs had that could have lost them the title, but you have to shake it off. You have to be able to move on after you miss the record buck or that big bass. You have to learn from doing.
- Never Give Up:
- If you follow Mike Icanoelli you've heard him say it; Never Give Up. Actors, professional athletes say it all the time to themselves as their striving to reach their own goals. When Davis hit the 2 run bomb to tie the game, all I could think about was it's that damn goat. :) Even at the top of the 9th when the Cubs left a runner on third, I'm sure there were people out there giving up on their team. Then the Rain delay happened. Sometimes in the field you need that rain delay, you need to regroup, calm your nerves. When you are on the water or chasing the record life time buck, Never Give Up. You never know what will happen from inning to inning or from cast to cast.
All in all these two teams had a great game, one that will definitely go down in the history books. Life lessons are all around us. We just have to recognize them and learn from every opportunity. Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs and their fans.
When out on the water, in the field, duck blind or tree stand act like a Cubby! Never Give Up!
The archery harvest numbers are out. The preliminary data was collected through November 13, 2016. It's easy to see that the rut is on with the increase in harvested bucks. Plus this little cold snap we had this past weekend didn't hurt. The below information was provided by Paul Shelton, Manager of Forest Wildlife Program.
This cool weather has shotgun deer hunters licking their lips. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources wanted to remind where and how to check in their harvested deer. Pay attention to the counties below for CWD testing. 
SPRINGFIELD, IL – Hunters in Illinois are being reminded to make safety a top priority, especially during the state’s busiest hunting seasons this fall. 
