Hunting Log Books

[md7]

It never occurred to me to record hunts with a log book. But as I’ve aged, and the years have turned to decades it occurred to me that many details aren’t quite as sharp or as easy to recall as they once were. Or maybe there’s just so many hunts that the specifics merge and bleed into one another.

And now, my kids are involved in hunting. And in the not too distant future, perhaps their own children may one day join me in the stand.

Came across a hunting log book. Details dates, time, weather conditions, and space to record the happenings of that days hunt. Seemed like something I’d like to do, and so I purchased it.

Does anyone here use a book such as this to record your hunts? Do any of you have in your possession old log books from your parents or grandparents?

What do you all think of something like that?

 

[irishlad]

Nope, just pictures.

 

[redneck2]

I’m 73 Y.O. One of the Things that I REALLY regret the most is not taking pictures of my hunting and fishing adventures over the last 65 years. I suppose it’s far more common now with cell phones, but taking pictures during the hunt rather than just of the animal at the end would mean a lot.

Remember this was back when you had to carry a camera, get the film developed, etc.

 

[Patocazador]

I kept a diary of hunts for over 40 years thinking I could learn the best conditions and places where big deer hung out and when. However, I gave it up about 10 years ago. It got to be a chore and I realized that had absorbed the knowledge and didn't need the diary any more.

I still have the spiral-bound note books stashed away somewhere.

 

[Fyrstyk]

I started a hunting journal in college as it was a requirement of one of my classes. Been keeping that journal ever since, and I go back and read some of the entries and it brings back the memories of that hunt. I now have over 40 years of hunting journals that I will pass down to my nephews who don't hunt. Hopefully when (and if) they read them they will understand what their Uncle found dear to life.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have a very nice leather bound journal....never wrote a word in it
....I should start in '24

 

[courtgreene]

I’m keeping a journal of my experience with my son outdoors, be it hunting, hiking, camping, whatever. I do like the idea of the log book though.

Glad you brought this up, I gotta update that thing.

 

[md7]

I have a very nice leather bound journal....never wrote a word in it
....I should start in '24

Just ordered mine today. We can start out together.

 

[Wolfshead]

Just ordered mine today. We can start out together.

I’ve thought about this a lot but never got to doing it.
would you mind sharing which one your going to use?
I was just going to use a blank journaling book but would be interested in one that is for hunting.

 

[Armored farmer]

Just ordered mine today. We can start out together.

Ok, but there's gonna be fishing stuff in there too, lol.

 

[md7]

I’ve thought about this a lot but never got to doing it.
would you mind sharing which one your going to use?
I was just going to use a blank journaling book but would be interested in one that is for hunting.

Sure thing. Saw an online ad and it’s a Rustico leather hunting log book.

The page layout has entries for date, time, temp, wind direction, game observed and game taken.

Rustico seems to be out of business but there’s still several log books out there for sale.

 

[Patocazador]

I was just going to use a blank journaling book

I used a 5"x9"? spiral-bound notebook. I put the date, time, wind direction, and moon phase at the top of the page. Then a short description of what I saw and where. I separated the day into AM and PM. After a few years I started adding the barometric pressure. However, it eventually was discontinued when I realized that I hardly ever referred back to it and it also kept me up later at night.

 

[redneck2]

I guess keeping a journal may be helpful for some. For me, the best time to go hunting/fishing is when I get a chance. And there’s nothing I can do about the weather. I’ve deer hunted in 90 degrees, and also -30 wind chill. I’ve fished at 90 degrees, another time with 2” of snow in the boat (wish I had pictures of that).

So, go when you get a chance. Take pictures when you do, even of things that may seem trivial at the time. One of my favorite pictures is of my very first ever deer hunt in 1966. It’s with the friends I hunted with, alongside the 11 point buck I shot

 

[Kingcreek]

I hunted in northern MN with a friend years ago. The log cabin dated back to the 1920s and there were ledgers going back decades. Every hunter guest was required to make a few notes in it daily. I’ve been hunting over 50 years and wish I had done it all along and with pictures.
I had a lot of great experiences with people that aren’t here anymore.

 

[buck460XVR]

I kept a journal for many years. It took several years of keeping it and looking back through it before I started to notice any patterns, but once I did, they were fairly obvious. Weather, was a strong factor with wind and incoming fronts a big part of it. One thing that really stuck out was the peak of rut.......right down to the day.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

I used to do a writeup to accompany the pictures of each successful hunt. Now, I just do videos.

 

[Bazoo]

I don't, but I want to. I have a couple of entries into a homemade harvest log. I have some notes on unsuccessful hunts, but nothing of interest to anyone else. I guess I should pen them while they are still fresh in my mind.

Like this last year, I had resolved to take a deer with a handgun. I have my Ruger Blackhawk 44 Special, walked slow and quiet to the my stop in the back of the farm. I sat there for maybe an hour and thirty minutes watching the squirrels and just having some quiet time. I heard a rustling that was a little different than the squirrels, and a deer appeared from the right about 20 yards away. I thought it was a doe, so I raised my revolver and took aim as the deer had its head behind a small cedar tree. When it raised its head, I realized it was a spike buck and not a doe. I considered shooting it anyway since it had the most beautiful dark grey pelt I've ever seen on a deer, but throughs of grandeur snuffed out the thoughts of a meat buck, as I know there is a big one wandering the property somewhere. It was only the first or second day of modern gun season; I didn't see another deer for the entire rest of the season.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Some pictures of my squirrel book. Only one I've logged so far. My wife gave me this about 3 years ago so the pics are from pages filled in since then. Just got back into big game hunting for after about 10 years so that book is coming soon the X's on the sillouettmm

 

[md7]

Some pictures of my squirrel book. Only one I've logged so far. My wife gave me this about 3 years ago so the pics are from pages filled in since then. Just got back into big game hunting for after about 10 years so that book is coming soonView attachment 1188924View attachment 1188925View attachment 1188926View attachment 1188927the X's on the sillouettmmView attachment 1188928

That’s very cool!

 

[BreechFace]

Like @Appalachiannative’s example. Blood on the pages is a must!

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

 

[Wolfshead]

If you do a search they are still available in some places.
can those places be trusted?

Hunting Journal Leather Log Book - Record Your Adventures

Don't forget to toss your Leather Hunter's Log Book in the glove box! Keep notes on each key part of the trip with this easy-to-use guided log book. Designed to be used on any type of hunt and works perfectly for any type of game.

seasonalpicks.gifts

i wouldn’t think it would be too difficult to come up with something similar.
i may just play around….

 

[md7]

If you do a search they are still available in some places.
can those places be trusted?

Hunting Journal Leather Log Book - Record Your Adventures

Don't forget to toss your Leather Hunter's Log Book in the glove box! Keep notes on each key part of the trip with this easy-to-use guided log book. Designed to be used on any type of hunt and works perfectly for any type of game.

seasonalpicks.gifts

i wouldn’t think it would be too difficult to come up with something similar.
i may just play around….

That’s where I ordered mine from. Tracking number shows in transit so, we shall see.

You’re right. It wouldn’t be too hard to come up with something similar.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Like @Appalachiannative’s example. Blood on the pages is a must!

Very cool, thanks for sharing!

The blood on the pages is a result of my efforts to pick all the shot out of the carcass. I then record where on the body the pellets landed to and what ammo was used for information purposes and so I don't bite down on or swallow lead later.