Best season ever, without pulling the trigger??!!

[Sinistram]

This makes me happy for a large number of reasons! An excellent addition to our hunting heritage.

 

[7RemMag]

This isn't a bad idea, I too have so many adventures and memories with my dad and uncle hunting everything you can in the two virginia's. they are both gone now and all I have are memories in my head to remember them by and some photos. My kids got to hunt some with my dad before he passed unexpectedly but i wish i could show them some of the crazy situations we ended up in sometimes lol

I have honestly thought several times about starting to video our hunts etc. and do a youtube thing, more for the kids memories than to be a stupid influencer or any of that crap. But I dunno. i get nervous as heck just doing little things on rokslides podcast, lol, much less trying to film myself lol

Congratulations on a great season! I've been running around in the woods and fields (and now the Western Mountains) with my old man from a very young age. I've been blessed to experience the "firsts" for a few beginners myself, and it's always a special experience.

It was suggested by another person on thread, but I'd also recommend you start putting together a logbook of you and your kids' successful hunts. YouTube is a great thing, but the unfortunate reality is that you're subjecting yourself to a level of headache you probably wouldn't with just a personal logbook. Heck, if you'd like, write about every hunt. My Dad has a word doc with information (weapon, date, time of day, weather, rough location, etc.) and a brief writeup of every big game animal he's ever killed. I've seen it a few times, and it's always neat to look back on it. I'm fortunate enough that we're still adding to it, but someday when he's gone, that document will be printed off and put in a laminated binder. I of course, have a log of my own. It's handy to be able to look back over the years too. You can pick up on trends that you might not have recognized otherwise.

 

[Amos Keeto]

Congratulations on a great season! I've been running around in the woods and fields (and now the Western Mountains) with my old man from a very young age. I've been blessed to experience the "firsts" for a few beginners myself, and it's always a special experience.

It was suggested by another person on thread, but I'd also recommend you start putting together a logbook of you and your kids' successful hunts. YouTube is a great thing, but the unfortunate reality is that you're subjecting yourself to a level of headache you probably wouldn't with just a personal logbook. Heck, if you'd like, write about every hunt. My Dad has a word doc with information (weapon, date, time of day, weather, rough location, etc.) and a brief writeup of every big game animal he's ever killed. I've seen it a few times, and it's always neat to look back on it. I'm fortunate enough that we're still adding to it, but someday when he's gone, that document will be printed off and put in a laminated binder. I of course, have a log of my own. It's handy to be able to look back over the years too. You can pick up on trends that you might not have recognized otherwise.

THAT, mi amigo, is awesome!
I started my "journal" on a computer. Lost about 2 years worth of memories when it crashed and burned!
That's when I went to the little "cheapie" notebooks. Short of a house fire, it's safe from electronic misfortunes!
Not only that, I can stick it in my hunting pack.
I've "recorded" more than one hunt, sitting in the blind, sipping coffee and watching my deer!
It's always best to record the hunt while it's fresh on your mind!

This one popped up out of nowhere!
I had to put down my coffee cup. My rifle was resting on shooting bags. I just had a few minor adjustments.
He dropped at the shot.
I finished my coffee and wrote up the hunt!
That was 2018. I haven't killed a deer since!

If I get bored, I can always pick up my journal and read my previous exploits.
I'm constantly amazed at the details I forgot! The "journal" brings them all back!

 

[7RemMag]

THAT, mi amigo, is awesome!
I started my "journal" on a computer. Lost about 2 years worth of memories when it crashed and burned!
That's when I went to the little "cheapie" notebooks. Short of a house fire, it's safe from electronic misfortunes!
Not only that, I can stick it in my hunting pack.
I've "recorded" more than one hunt, sitting in the blind, sipping coffee and watching my deer!
It's always best to record the hunt while it's fresh on your mind!
View attachment 815217

I know for Dad and me; the entries don't usually go more than a day or so after the harvest. The details are usually fresh, but I don't think they're quite THAT fresh. That's awesome. I LOVE the busted tip on that rack. I really like the way you mounted the skull, too. I have a head from the whitetail I killed here in Wyoming this year and I may steal that idea. It should be added that there are backups to those journals just in case something goes south.

 

[Amos Keeto]

I know for Dad and me; the entries don't usually go more than a day or so after the harvest. The details are usually fresh, but I don't think they're quite THAT fresh. That's awesome. I LOVE the busted tip on that rack. I really like the way you mounted the skull, too. I have a head from the whitetail I killed here in Wyoming this year and I may steal that idea. It should be added that there are backups to those journals just in case something goes south.

Here's a different view. The left point isn't broken. The G3 & G4 didn't separate.

The wood?
It came off a house I tore down in south Texas! Full 1"×6" that still have the saw marks!

 

[Rich M]

Just go and have fun? Sacriligeous!

I didnt thunt the past 2 seasons. Didnt die.

Will hunt next year tho.

 

[Davyalabama]

THAT is absolutely awesome!
Start those kiddos on keeping a hunting journal!
I lost decades of hunting memories with my dad and grampa because I didn't keep a simple journal.
I finally started about 20 years ago. I've filled up 3 journals and starting the fourth.
They don't have to rewrite "War & Peace", just a few lines about where they were, who was with them and briefly describe what happened.

Kudos to you on getting kids interested!

Don't just get a composition notebook, get something nice and in leather. They make some fairly cheap stuff on Am%^&* that looks nice. You want something he will keep.

On videos, by all means --- does it have to be shared, absolutely not! This is for y'all, this is for them to look back or show their kids. Everything doesn't have to go to social media. You're phone is better than nothing because you don't want to drag all the equipment, maybe even a little go pro, lol.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

Don't just get a composition notebook, get something nice and in leather. They make some fairly cheap stuff on Am%^&* that looks nice. You want something he will keep.

On videos, by all means --- does it have to be shared, absolutely not! This is for y'all, this is for them to look back or show their kids. Everything doesn't have to go to social media. You're phone is better than nothing because you don't want to drag all the equipment, maybe even a little go pro, lol.

100% agree brother!

 

[Amos Keeto]

Don't just get a composition notebook, get something nice and in leather. They make some fairly cheap stuff on Am%^&* that looks nice. You want something he will keep.

On videos, by all means --- does it have to be shared, absolutely not! This is for y'all, this is for them to look back or show their kids. Everything doesn't have to go to social media. You're phone is better than nothing because you don't want to drag all the equipment, maybe even a little go pro, lol.

Look into this group. You can drag their products through duck marshes, deer bogs, desert thorns and rain storms and it won't hurt them!

Rite in the Rain Official Site | Shop All Weather Products

Shop our Large Selection of All Weather Notebooks, Pens, and Gear. FREE SHIPPING on Orders Over $49. Waterproof Products for Professionals and Enthusiasts Who Brave The Outdoors. Pens & Pencils. Water Resistant Paper. Made in USA. 100% Recyclable.

www.riteintherain.com

I'll be getting one of their 8×10 spiral notebooks when I get my current journal filled up.
I like the bright yellow!
Hard to lose and can be used as a signaling device if needed! LOL!

 

[Sinistram]

Look into this group. You can drag their products through duck marshes, deer bogs, desert thorns and rain storms and it won't hurt them!

Rite in the Rain Official Site | Shop All Weather Products

Shop our Large Selection of All Weather Notebooks, Pens, and Gear. FREE SHIPPING on Orders Over $49. Waterproof Products for Professionals and Enthusiasts Who Brave The Outdoors. Pens & Pencils. Water Resistant Paper. Made in USA. 100% Recyclable.

www.riteintherain.com

I'll be getting one of their 8×10 spiral notebooks when I get my current journal filled up.
I like the bright yellow!
Hard to lose and can be used as a signaling device if needed! LOL!

I have one of these small notepads with me in the field at all times along with a genuine Fisher Space Pen. I wouldn't think I use it as much as I do! Super fun to be scribbling some thoughts down in a snowstorm - just because you can!

 

[Swamp Fox]

I've used Rite In The Rain stuff for a long time, with an "astronaut" pen that will write in all conditions.. even up-side-down while you're hanging from your rock harness (or something ...LOL). --- Great products.

I'd be careful on the video-ing. Lots of times it becomes more about the production than about the hunt and genuine people, unintentionally. Of course, it all depends on the director and the actors once the camera gets dragged out of the pack.

I don't think anything beats hand-written notes for the hunter or his future readers. A nicely bound journal, videos, or .docs are icing on the cake.

Bring back cursive! ---LOL

 

[Davyalabama]

I wasn't thinking of bad weather, I was thinking of this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D7..._1?smid=A1LR6X3TBITBWE&tag=giftster0f-20&th=1

2 Pack A5 Lined Journal for Men Soft Cover Journals for Writing with 256 Pages Vintage Lion Journaling Notebooks (Brown and Black, A5)​

I can certainly see the all weather journal and astronaut pen being in the mix if you are out in it for days.

 

[emwhyr0hen]

Wonderful! thanks for sharing

 

[shol92779]

Congrats on the season with those kids man! You should certainly be proud. What a way to raise up the next generation.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

thanks!

 

[Tower13]

Well another deer season has come and gone for me here in Virginia, (there are a few days left in late muzzloader but i doubt I will go anymore plenty of meat in the freezer) and I had quiet possibly the best year a fella could have, without even pulling the trigger on a deer. I watched 7 deer die through my binos this year all to kids!! It was awesome!!

It started with youth weekend in Virginia, I took my son, daughter, and my late cousin's stepson all out. Saturday morning my son killed a nice 11 point buck right after his cousin killed a small 5 point, so it was very cool for them to do this together. I watched through my binoculars as my son shot the buck.
View attachment 812228
Next up was my daughter, who had a chance at a buck, but a doe who had came within 10 yards of us, winded us finally and was blowing and stomping made the buck change his mind about coming down the ridge toward us. She smacked the next doe that came down the ridge and killed her first deer.
View attachment 812234
The next day, I took my late cousin's step son out for an evening hunt, and he too knocked down a doe. Needless to say after processing 3 deer in two days, I was slap worn out for these kids lol
View attachment 812236
Next up was our trip to montana where we struggled finding deer initially, CWD had done a number on them in the areas that I knew of, someone who shall remain unnamed on this forum, (thanks again) pointed me in a direction to a area to try out and we did find some deer to chase. But getting kids close enough for a shot proved to be a challenge for me anyways, I am still learning the out west mule deer game, and I fully admit I am not the best at it. However my son did end up killing a small forkhorn, and my daughter could have also later that evening, I gave her the option and she said "No that's just a little one" which is a win in my book regardless. We had a great time hunting as a family, as I took my wife and both kids out to Montana all the way from Virginia!
View attachment 812244View attachment 812246View attachment 812248View attachment 812247
Now back in Virginia for more whitetail deer, my son wanted to go with his other cousin, to watch him get his first deer and wouldn't you know it, we got Izzy his first buck as well!!
View attachment 812249
Then to top all this off, my son killed a very nice buck one evening while hunting behind our house. I was cutting some brush trying to get caught up on some honey do list stuff and, he got off the school bud and wanted to go hunting, I told him to go sit in the treestand,just to get him outta my hair, I was only like 50 yards from him cutting brush, and could literally see him in the stand when he shot. Why the deer came in with me making all that noise cutting brush I will never know lol But he was a nice 9 point, and now I have a heck of a taxidermist bill coming for this boy!
View attachment 812252View attachment 812256

What a great season. Thank you for sharing truly a great hunting season. The smile on all the kids faces are worth it all. Thanks for bringing another generation into the great outdoors.