Hunting for Financial Success

As fall finds a foothold in eastern Tennessee, many of us in Knoxville are savoring the season's many delights. Cooling temperatures, changing leaves, football games (Go Vols!), and pumpkin-flavored treats all make autumn a time of the year to look forward to. October and November are my favorite months on the calendar, but it’s a different season that occupies my thoughts: archery season.

Hunting mature whitetail deer with a bow is an incredibly difficult challenge. A deer’s sense of smell is anywhere from 500 to 10,000 times that of a human. In other words, with a light breeze blowing, a deer can smell you from half a mile away. The placement and composition of their eyes provide deer with a 310-degree field of view and the ability to see in low light, while ours is just 180 degrees (and we obviously lack natural night vision capabilities). Additionally, whitetail deer can reach speeds of up to 40 miles per hour and can jump as high as 8 feet! In essence, deer are Olympic-level athletes with abilities that far surpass what we can do as humans. It is almost preposterous to think that a hunter could achieve success with a primitive weapon like a bow.

Anybody without hunting experience might get lucky and find themselves in the right place at the right time, somehow managing to pull off an accurate shot. However, this scenario is highly unlikely. Consistently finding success while archery hunting takes research, discipline, practice, familiarity with the area, patience, and experience. Each year, I begin preparing for archery season in early summer, well before fall arrives. I meticulously study maps, take time to explore the woods I will be hunting, confirm my equipment has been well maintained, and of course, dedicate countless hours to shooting my bow. This repetition and experience are what give me the confidence to make a shot when it counts.

This level of individual time commitment can push success out of reach for some aspiring archery hunters. However, a solution exists in the form a hunting guide. When a hunter partners with a guide, they gain access to a wealth of knowledge. A skilled hunting guide knows the terrain like the back of their hand, is well acquainted with their quarry, and can pivot under changing conditions. Most importantly, a great guide tailors the hunt to their client and ensures their definition of success is achieved.

When it comes to planning out your financial future, a similar comparison can be drawn. Just as the journey to a successful hunt requires preparation and expertise, so too does navigating your financial landscape. Engaging a financial planner can provide you with the insights and strategies needed to identify and achieve your financial goals. Like a skilled hunting guide, a financial planner understands the intricacies of the terrain—be it investments, savings, or retirement planning—and can help you tailor your approach for maximum success. 

If you’re not already working with our experienced team of financial planners, we would love to be your guide on this journey. Let us partner with you to achieve your financial goals and ensure you hit your target when it matters most.

_{PYA Waltman Capital, LLC (“PYAW”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about PYAW’s investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request.  PYA-24-42}