But before you jump online or drive down to the marina, you’ll need to think about the fishing you plan to do, since this will affect the type of boat you’re looking for. Each type of boat has unique characteristics that make it more or less suited to a particular style of fishing. Here are a few things to consider:

- Do you plan to go it alone, or would you like some company? If you’re thinking about fishing as a way to get away from it all (including humanity), then a used pontoon boat might be just the ticket; they’re small and generally seat just one person—perfect if you want to stay agile and alone. But if you’d like bring your son or your buddy along with you, there are aluminum fishing boats for sale that offer durability, low maintenance, and a smooth ride.

- Standing or running water? Some boats fare better in certain locations. If you’re interested in fly fishing in a river, there are some boats that should be avoided, like pontoon-style float tubes. While light and inexpensive, these vessels are ill-suited for running water, particularly if you’ll be wearing waders. Capsizing is never a fun way to end your trip. Fishing on the river is best done with an affordable boat like an inflatable river kayak or raft. Do some research; visit online forums, talk to your friends, and generally ask around. You’ll be glad to know that you found the best boat for your needs, especially if it’s an inexpensive one.

- How will you get your boat to and from the water? It may be fairly obvious, but you’ll need a way to get your boat to the place it likes best—the water. If your vehicle doesn’t have a hitch or you’re not interested in purchasing a trailer, you might want to consider an inflatable boat instead, since many are small enough to fit in the trunk of a car when deflated. Plus, it’s a more affordable way to get into the hobby if you’re just trying it out or plan to upgrade later.

-If you are mechanically inclined you can look into a boat that is much less expensive because it needs some work. You can find boat motor parts for much cheaper than taking the boat to a marine mechanic and you can know that the work was done properly.

All things considered, fishing in a boat is great fun—you can just lie back and relax when the fish are slow, you don’t have to carry all your equipment in your hands, and you can also reach areas that anglers on foot just can’t. If you’re just getting into the sport, make sure that getting an inexpensive fishing boat is part of your plans.

Well, first is that you need to know that in order to have the ability to hunt you need to start now. Permits go on sale for the fall very early, so even though the hunting season for most big game is in the fall, you need to start now in order to even be able to hunt. Understanding the terminology is helpful as you learn about hunting and prepare to go. You’ll need to be able to talk with other people and understand what they say as well as them understanding you. In order to hunt you need a few things–first is a hunter education certificate. In Utah you have to take a hunting class one time in your life after which you will get a certificate that will allow you to get a hunting license. The hunting license is a yearly license that gives you the legal authority to hunt but it does not give you the ability to hunt whatever you want. For most animals you need a permit to hunt them. For example, big game (deer, elk, moose, sheep, etc.) requires you to get a specific permit for the animal you are going to hunt. The permit will be restricted to a specific time-frame and specific area or boundary that you have to stay within in addition to a specific weapon that you can use. Permits also are restricted to sex of the animal and often age of the animal.  So to summarize, you will take a hunter class once in your life, get a hunter license every year, and get a permit for an animal (including age and sex) to hunt in a specific time-frame and specific area with a specific weapon.  And these permits and licenses may differ if you are a non-resident vs. a resident.

In order to get a permit, depending on the animal you need to apply for a permit or tag. Some permits you can simply buy “over the counter” but others you have to apply for in the draw. This process varies state by state, but the idea is similar to a lottery–you put in a list of permits that you would like to get and they have a lottery pick to determine what you get (if anything). Usually you build up points when you do not draw your top picks which is supposed to give you a better chance the next year to receive the permit(s) of your choice. Some animals may take 3-5 years or more to receive a permit. Some animals are considered a “once-in-a-lifetime” which means that you can only receive that tag one time in your life.

Now if that’s not confusing enough you still have to learn how to shoot the animal and harvest it properly. There is tons of information available, but unfortunately it doesn’t do the real thing justice in learning how to shoot and harvest an animal properly. We’ll assume that you are competent at shooting a rifle (or whatever your weapon of choice is), but there is still variances between shooting a standing target with a bench support than shooting a moving animal and varying distances from the ground.  So practice shooting a different distances from different positions as much as you can.

From there, there are a lot of resources you can use, but youtube videos are a big help and some good reading resources are this Deer Hunting Secrets e-book. Take a lot of notes as you read through various things–make a list of things you need and then a shopping list of things you need and don’t have. Write up an “itenerary” where you outline what you are planning on doing and what you do if you get into various circumstances. Most likely you won’t have any reception or the ability to get more information in the field so you’ll have to have whatever you need with you.  Which brings up one additional point–you need to be in shape. Don’t expect to get to the deer (unless you have 4-wheelers or horses) on your own without hiking. So start getting in shape now!

Getting into hunting can be difficult–you have a lot to learn if you aren’t familiar with how it works. The last piece of advice is to find a friend that can go with you. Take them out to lunch or dinner and pick their brain, and see if they can/will go with you. Or find a friend that will let you go with them (even if you don’t hunt) just to gain the experience. Even better if they have equipment you can borrow to help make your hunting experience a little easier. It’s a thrilling experience, but is very difficult to learn all on your own.

Cross country skiing is an excellent way to enjoy the majestic beauty of the winter months. There is nothing like taking in the cool, crisp air and witnessing the serenity of the mountains. For those who want to experience the mountains like never before, go rent a pair of skis and hit the trail. It’s affordable and all you need is some gear, mountains, and snow.

Clothing

One thing to consider when dressing for your ski trip is that you want to find the balance between staying warm and overheating. A lot of first-timers tend to overdress, and after a short period of time they find themselves stopping to shed articles of clothing. Don’t wear too many layers because this will cause you to sweat profusely, and that is the last thing you want in freezing temperatures.  It’s better to carry a small pack that contains extra layers, rather than trying to stuff extra layers in your already stuffed pack. Pack lightly and be smart. You will definitely want to bring a water bottle or bladder, and snacks are always a good idea. Make sure to drink frequently, and drink before you get thirsty!

Poles and Skis

Cross country skiers should find poles that are as long as the area from the top of your shoulder to the ground. Poles this size will make it lot easier for climbing hills. When using your poles try and have a looser grip; you will eventually fatigue yourself by strangling the poles. A good way to practice this is to grasp the poles with your pinky fingers extended, and to push on the straps from your wrists.

Side cut skis are especially made for sharp turning and easy steering. For this reason, this type of ski is popular among cross country skiers. These skis are going to be narrower under the foot than at the ends. Cross country skiers inherently make more turns than downhill skiers, so make sure when renting/buying your skis you ask for side cut skis.

Places to Cross Country Ski

Boise offers a handful of places in where you can enjoy cross country skiing. Most places such as the Boise National Forest, only charge a small fee to access their designated trails. Check out Trail Source, to find trails near you.

Have fun, and enjoy the mountains!