Speaking of the "How many deer have you killed" - A hunting picture journal

[DeerCamp]

I've got a slew of little yearling racks hung up on my back porch from my early days, and about 4 years ago I realized all of the deer I've harvested were really starting to blend together trying to remember the stories that went with them (expect for the big/really memorable ones). So I decided to make a hunting journal and write down everything I could remember from the last couple decades of hunting.

The cover is the first deer hunt I was on. It's a polaroid of me and my dad from around 1988, with a mule deer buck we killed out of a big canyon in the Guadalupe mountains. Funny story, I had better eyesight than him and spotted this herd on a hill about 500 yards away. He said I threw my 22 rifle up like I was about to make the best deer shot in the world. We stalked him and the memory of this one is pretty vivid.

Didn't have to think very hard to remember these first ones... dont have kill pics of the deer, but added a pic of the rack to help remember.

First "big" buck. Was a pretty big deal back then!

Watched this buck on cam for 2 years before finally getting a shot as a 4.5 yo. I really like being able to put pics from the stand, trail cam pics and kill pics in here and remember back on it. (I wrote the story on the back of one of the pics, but no trouble remember this one!

I've still got all my harvest records printed out from TWRA, even before they changed their system.

All told I have about 100 pictures in the book and it's about 3/4 full. Imagine I'll buy another one when it is.

Also had my kids and wife start their own journals too. We love adding to them every year and I like to think one day they will enjoy looking back at them.

 

[Pilchard]

Cool idea although I heard that only serial killers write in all caps.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

GREAT STUFF!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING.

 

[backyardtndeer]

For all the racked deer I have killed, when I grab the antlers or look at the mount I can probably still tell the story on all of them. I don't remember the dates though. A lot of those are 8 points though' and may confuse them. lol

I used to keep a journal on my computer of all my hunts and the conditions and what I saw. Unfortunately didn't have it backed up and all my data got lost.

 

[Gravey]

Cool idea although I heard that only serial killers write in all caps.

I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK!

I have a couple photo albums of kill pics with date, county, and weapon used. Flip through it every now and then reliving old hunts. Need to add the past couple of years to it.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Very nice picture journal....fantastic idea....I need to journal more...with notes, pics, etc.

 

[BSK]

At our hunting cabin we have an album with pictures of every deer killed. Plus I have my databases that list everything about every hunt.

 

[DeerCamp]

Cool idea although I heard that only serial DEER killers write in all caps.

Corrected that for you.

 

[DeerCamp]

At our hunting cabin we have an album with pictures of every deer killed. Plus I have my databases that list everything about every hunt.

Well that's because you are a professional among amateurs.

 

[BSK]

Well that's because you are a professional among amateurs.

No, it's just that I'm a "data head." I need to see and collect everything in numbers. That's the only way I can see the patterns.

 

[Ski]

The journal and album is a great idea! I plan on doing something similar with our hunting cabin. I want to hang a bulletin board for pinning pictures, and have some albums sat out on coffee stands. I'd also like to have a large aerial print of the property to frame & hang on the wall, one of those magnetic dry erase ones where pins can be moved around and/or marker lines drawn & erased.

 

[BSK]

I'd also like to have a large aerial print of the property to frame & hang on the wall, one of those magnetic dry erase ones where pins can be moved around and/or marker lines drawn & erased.

In my opinion, having a big map where all the habitat is depicted, and stand locations marked, is critically important.

 

[DoubleRidge]

In my opinion, having a big map where all the habitat is depicted, and stand locations marked, is critically important.

I really liked the Hunterra Magna Map I saw advertised on TV....but once I saw the price for the large size map...wow.... I couldn't stomach the $500 price tag....very nice though....I may have to go with a paper map mounted on a bulletin board with stick pins.....Hunterra does offer some very nice products though.

And I agree....maps can play an important roll in land management....not only for hunting but also for planning future projects....it's helpful to see the big picture from an aerial view.

 

[Ski]

I really liked the Hunterra Magna Map I saw advertised on TV....but once I saw the price for the large size map...wow.... I couldn't stomach the $500 price tag....very nice though....I may have to go with a paper map mounted on a bulletin board with stick pins.....Hunterra does offer some very nice products though.

You took the words straight from my mouth. That's exactly the map I want, but no way am I spending that much. I'm still getting one, though

My wife & kids are always upset with me because they never know what to get me for Christmas, and I never really want anything because I already have everything I want or need. When I need something, I go buy it. Well, that map is something I'd like to have but won't spend the money for, so if they buy it for me, it's them wasting my money instead of me wasting my money

 

[BSK]

I really liked the Hunterra Magna Map I saw advertised on TV....but once I saw the price for the large size map...wow.... I couldn't stomach the $500 price tag....very nice though....I may have to go with a paper map mounted on a bulletin board with stick pins.....Hunterra does offer some very nice products though.

And I agree....maps can play an important roll in land management....not only for hunting but also for planning future projects....it's helpful to see the big picture from an aerial view.

Had never heard of that. Looked it up. Very interesting. I wonder what the backing material is that is magnetized.

 

[dewclaw]

Started writing mine in 1995 for the same reason- I was starting to have trouble remembering all the details. Still doing it and it has turned into quite a collection of memories for me and my family. I'm pretty sure that when I can no longer go chase all these critters, it will be enjoyable for me to re-live the hunts with family and friends going back to 1976 for me.

 

[DoubleRidge]

Had never heard of that. Looked it up. Very interesting. I wonder what the backing material is that is magnetized.

Not sure but I think the backing material is a very thin sheet of metal with the "stick pins" being plastic coated magnets in various colors....and I believe the face of the map has a clear coating on it where you can write on it with dry erase marker...but again, the only experience I have with them is what I've seen advertised on TV....looks like a very nice product though.....just pricey.

 

[Ski]

Not sure but I think the backing material is a very thin sheet of metal with the "stick pins" being plastic coated magnets in various colors....and I believe the face of the map has a clear coating on it where you can write on it with dry erase marker...but again, the only experience I have with them is what I've seen advertised on TV....looks like a very nice product though.....just pricey.

I'll give a full report when I get mine for Christmas! Unless of course I get socks and socket sets again

 

[DoubleRidge]

I'll give a full report when I get mine for Christmas! Unless of course I get socks and socket sets again

Just as long as the socks are Merino wool

 

[BSK]

Not sure but I think the backing material is a very thin sheet of metal with the "stick pins" being plastic coated magnets in various colors....and I believe the face of the map has a clear coating on it where you can write on it with dry erase marker...but again, the only experience I have with them is what I've seen advertised on TV....looks like a very nice product though.....just pricey.

Just wondering in case any of my clients ask if I could do the same for the maps I make for them. I'll have to look into it.