Start A Hunting Journal Today

How many times have you found yourself out in the field or planning for the next day’s hunt trying to remember a similar hunt from years past? As a hunter, patterns are a massive part of the sport that we are involved in. When we can recall similar instances from the past, we are much more effective and typically have a higher rate of success. There is one simple, low-tech tool in the toolbox that we all can start using today to help set our future self up for success. And that my friends is a hunting journal.

Why You should Keep a Journal (Recognizing patterns)

Journaling is great for a lot of reasons. The biggest benefit it provides is enhancing our ability to look back on prior hunts to distill some sense of patterns. The animals we chase are no different than we are. They get stuck in what some might call a loop of momentum. Oftentimes they will hit the same fields at the same time of day via the same path that they did multiple times before, because they do not have a reason not to. This knowledge is vital to comprising what should be an extensive dossier on your next target critter.

Besides locations and animal movements, if you can keep an extensive enough journal, you will soon see other patterns unfolding before you that may have previously flown under the radar. These could be attributed to weather shifts, such as pheasants hiding out in thicker cover on gusty days or mast/harvest patterns that allow you to narrow down the window to help you decide when you should hunt near oaks or out in cornfields. Moon phases also affect the movement of various types of animals, so don’t forget to make a note of these as well.

Saving Memories

Your hunting journal should not just be a data collection device. A journal provides the perfect medium by which we can record memories of hunts we have been on. Sure, our main goal when we go into the field is to harvest protein, but for many of us the memories that we create chasing wild game is much more important than killing an animal. Bringing home some meat is a bonus.

When you allow yourself to look past all of the X’s and O’s of hunting, you can find true fulfillment. Maybe you notice a pattern about yourself, such as having more fun on days where you solo hunted after a stressful week or being more successful in the marsh when Ol’ John was around doing all the duck calling. Best of all, you have enshrined a piece of you into a physical object, something that can be discovered, picked up, and enjoyed by the next generation or family, even further removed that never knew you. Your great grandkids may even be able to harvest a trophy buck based on the experiences you had, making it almost as if you were there in the stand with them.

How to

You can make your journal as simple or complicated as you like. In fact, the more complicated it is, the more information and insight you will have at your disposal. Sure, there are apps for this and of course you can always just use your notes app on your phone, but I find handwritten journals to be much easier to keep updated. Typing in the cold can be a pain and let’s face it, phone batteries aren’t what they once were. Having just a blank notebook and a pen will be enough, but you can also find dedicated paper hunting journals online if you so choose.

No matter what you decide to use as your information collection system, there are some key data points you will want to try and collect every time you head out. Time of day and weather are obvious details as should be listing out your layering system and how comfortable or uncomfortable you were for that hunt. The number of animal sightings and those animal’s behaviors as well as when all of this happens should be of note. Finally, leaving a notes section where you can hand sketch maps, write down oddities, or even just simple reminders such as not to forget your hot hands, can add a ton of wealth later when you find yourself combing back through your journal.

To Wrap Up

Hunting journals are an easy way to increase your efficacy as a hunter. Journaling traverses all styles of hunting for all types of game animals. Don’t worry about how much you are journaling, just journal. Even the smallest amount of data is still data that can be used later. Focus on the major factors that affect what species you are pursuing and don’t forget to add a little bit of reflection so that you can look back and remember the fondest moments that you have had in the field.

At 12 Point Hunting Blinds, we want you to have an advantage to be the best hunter that you can be. Journaling is a great tool to make that happen. Journaling in the comfort of a 12 Point Hunting Blind sounds even better. Do yourself a favor. Keep your previously windblown and cold journaling hands out of the cold by investing in a 12 Point Hunting Blind today.

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