Hunting journals

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Wlog
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Hunting journals

Unread postby Wlog » Fri Dec 05, 2014 4:17 am

Do you keep a deer hunting journal? How is it laid out? I currently don't keep any kind of journal but I know lots of guys do. Is it necessary? Thoughts?

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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Mibowhunter91 » Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:13 am

I really want to start one my plan is to break it down by area then by month I'll try to keep record of weather and wind and deer movement. Interested in how others do it

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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby msailor » Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:27 am

I started several years ago, laziness precluded me from doing it before. All I can say is "Do it"! You will learn...alot. But most of all, your story will live forever. Reading old entries on a rainy day or to see what you were doing/thinking that same day a year or two prior is exceptionally entertaining.
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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Edcyclopedia » Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:31 am

I did for three years it's kind of fun looking back, but became too cumbersome...

I like Dan's though, although he has more success so go figure! :roll: ;)
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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Wlog » Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:41 am

It seems like a journal could be a useful tool, I've just never taken enough time to sit down and figure out the best way to go about documenting everything. If it's not easy to go back and find the info you're looking for I don't think I would stick with it.

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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Wlog » Fri Dec 05, 2014 5:44 am

I guess what I'm looking for out of this topic is motivation to keep a journal or confirmation that it's not worth the effort.

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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Trailcamaddict » Fri Dec 05, 2014 6:05 am

DO IT! I went from trying to remember things from years past to knowing! My journal had increased my success substantially. ;)
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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby justdirtyfun » Fri Dec 05, 2014 6:51 am

I hear enough positive from keeping one,to try. It is not going well this year but trying is better than not.

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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Wlog » Fri Dec 05, 2014 6:59 am

Trailcamaddict wrote:DO IT! I went from trying to remember things from years past to knowing! My journal had increased my success substantially. ;)



What is your typical entry? Is it simple? Spot hunted, wind, temp, deer sighted? Or is it more detailed? Are you writing out entire pages with a description of the entire days hunt?

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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Thermals » Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:13 am

I been saying it for years but never have, but I will this year and it will start with my scouting.

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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Jeff G » Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:15 am

I don't keep a journal, but I keep a large aerial map (electronic file). During the season I will mark the spots I see deer and there travel patterns. I also mark when I got shot opportunities/harvest deer. Nice to see over the years what has been consistent and what to anticipate when going into the same area.
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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Kraftd » Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:11 am

I have tried keeping a written journal several times, but it just isn't my thing. What I have done consistently for four years now is keep an organized photo journal. I take screen grabs on my phone of the weather and moon apps I use, and my stand location with the wind arrow in Antler Insanity, and usually try to take at least a couple of pictures from stand during a sit. Save those down to dated folders. I did at one point set-up a spreadsheet for journal entries that I still use a handful of times a year if I kill, or see something worth noting.

I have found this works well to remember the season, and trigger my memory year to year.

I have also started making a "poster" of my season where I use the aerial photo of one or more of my main properties/ areas and rim the drawing with some of my favorite photos for the year.
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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby Kraftd » Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:14 am

I also have dozens of google earth pins and GPS kit tracks loaded in too. Could be more organized, but works well.
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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby BassBoysLLP » Fri Dec 05, 2014 9:15 am

I use to do a journal. Gave it up. It's hard enough extracting all the valuable information from 100,000 trail cam pics.

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Re: Hunting journals

Unread postby johndeere506 » Fri Dec 05, 2014 11:51 am

Excel. One line per day. Stand location, wind, what I saw and what direction walked. I put red marks for shooters sighted including daylight pics of shooters. Its easy, fast, and easy to review several years in minutes.easy to pattern good days stands and wind directions.

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