That title should be an attention getter for people reading the blog, but really it was meant more for myself. It is a reminder that I need to stop talking and start doing. I know it sounds harsh to say that to myself, but in reality it is so true and definitely needs to be followed through on.

Despite having an outdoor blog, and writing posts for the entire world to see, I really tend to be an introvert. I have this tendency to not really venture outside my comfort zone. I always want to get out and meet some more people and do some more things, but I tend to keep away from things and places that I don’t know well or I’m not comfortable with. That needs to stop now.

I have been talking on this blog for months about promoting the outdoors, and putting hunters in a positive light, but I feel that I need to do more. I have done a few things here and there and have helped get kids into the outdoors, but I need to get out and make some more connections to help promote hunters and get all of our voices heard. This has to happen, not only amongst the hunting community, but also outside of the community where there are certainly plenty of people on the fence that just need a few solid facts to come over to our side.

First on my list is to attend a wild game dinner at one of our local churches here in town. I have been helping a friend moderate his website forum, and great Michigan outdoor resource, and one of the partners to the site is sponsoring this dinner. COMPASS Outdoors is the local organization and I am looking forward to meeting a couple of the gentleman who founded this organization at the dinner. You have to bring a wild game dish to pass, so I have to figure out exactly what I’m going to bring. It should provide a good place to share some hunting stories, meet some new friends, and get to try some great tasting outdoor recipes.

Second on my list is to attend Big Buck Night that is being held at another local church here in town. I thought this would be another excellent way to to meet some new people, while enjoying some food and getting to see some monster bucks that were shot in the area. The event features coverage and a special presentation from Michigan Out-of-Doors Television. Hopefully it will give me an opportunity to meet Tony Hansen. The editor of the Michigan Out-of-Doors Magazine and a featured person in an article I wrote about the MUCC. It definitely will be a great way to promote my blog as well. I’m looking forward to it.

Third is a very important goal. I felt terrible about this years Outdoor Bloggers Summit getting cancelled, but I just could not work it into the schedule for the year. That being said I think all of us who are members need to make an extraordinary effort to make it to the Summit next year. I have to be honest and say I was a little leary at first, but after a few more months blogging, and the welcome that I have received, I think that heading to St. Louis and getting a chance to meet Rex, Jeff, Mike, Rick, Kristine, Jody, Othmar, Matt, Bryan, Darrell, Phillip, and everyone else who is a member is a great idea. What a wonderful way to promote our blogs, learn some new things, and get a chance to meet a few friends and be able to put a face with a name.

Now that I have put this challenge out there to myself, I challenge all of you to do the same. Step out of your comfort zone and do something that helps promote our love of the outdoors while also making it a little easier to meet a few new friends. In the long run it will help our passion to continue through future generations.

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