Just curious, how many of us keep a "Journal" (the manly term for a diary) lol. I went back into mine last night, and was reading through it... I figured out some random things... thought I would share.. I am currently, 2 for 4 on Buck: Shot Opportunity/Kills 4 for 6 on Shot taken/Recovery (One of two, I know lived... The other I'm still not sure I hit...Jeff?) lol And I am at about 63% of seeing deer when hunting... I hunted a lot in the 08/09 season, in MN... Did not see a whole lot, but when I did see them, they were all does/yearlings, and they presented no shot or saw me... However, I still see myself as a fairly decent hunter. (Not as in Ethics, those are always number one.) How about you?
Yep. I started the first season I was out of college three years ago. I decided since I was finally going to put some serious time in, I might as well start to keep a log of the days events. I'm not sure it's done a lot for my hunting, but it's fun to go back and read. I have made some modifications based on observations the first season, but it's more or less a statistical record.
I used to keep one. I dont anymore. I just wouldnt stay up on it consistently. I always enjoy seeing Ryan writing in his journal when hes out elk hunting with me, but he never shows it to me.. hes probably cussing his piss poor elk guide! LOL
I've kept loose details for a few years, this past season was my first log. A journal (to me) would be more of writing about the days events. I liked keeping the log and will continue to do so, but I get way to many sits in the course of a season to write each day about what went on. I can see myself journaling 3 to 4 times a season in the future.
FOR SURE. I love doing it, and boy does it explain alot after a couple of years. AM or PM hunts more effective...what what times? There are national trends, but does my property follow those? When do bucks start chasing? What deer did I see with what wind direction? I know what my average deer per hour is.....for each month. Tons to be learned from them - I think everyone should. Overkill? Naw. Just another part of the game I / we love.
How many is "way too many", Ben? I kept a detailed journal for 4 yrs. I won't do it, anymore. I think I learned everything I could from keeping one. I could be wrong (319 sits, detailed).
Jeff, How do you keep it? If you don't mind - I'd love to see it. I'm sure I'd be fascinated by it. 319 sits, detailed is no easy feat! I keep mine in Excel. Though I have a small pad that I take notes with in the field.
It's in excel. I've sent it to lots of people. Maybe not as detailed as you think.,......lol. They're (I have 4, covering 4 different seasons) on my old hard drive (that's currently crashed!). I think I may be able to still retrieve them, but it's not been a priority. Send me your email address, via PM.
I keep a journal every year of my hunts where I document everything from weather conditions, to sightings, to cool experiences of every hunt I have. I also have a separate journal just of my hunts that end in a harvest. These tend to be more story like and go into greater detail. The first is for reference and information purposes the second is for my enjoyment.
