It's been almost 7 months since my Zimbabwe buffalo safari, and today I sat down and read my notes.
During my safari, each day during the lunch break and/or at night before retiring I would write a couple of pages of how the hunt went, game seen, and other relevant facts of the day.

Rereading these notes, brought back so much memories of the hunt. As I read a section, I could remember exactly where I was, my frame of mind, the feelings associated with the incident, the animals I wrote about, etc.

I STRONGLY recommend every hunter take a small notebook and pen and make notes during the downtime, it is well worth it IMO.

For me it is a much better method of reliving the hunt, than pictures alone.

JMO.

BH63

I write 'Hunting Reports' for that exact reason. Even so, after a while the memories correspond more to my notes and write-up plus pics than the actual timeline events.

(Wonder how many folks actually read the reports. I just look at pics, since my little adventures don't bear any resemblance to those of true safari hunters.)

I write during "siesta" also and have found incredible memories when re-reading my note years later. You remember the successful hunts by the trophies or pictures but the notes bring back the interesting details and blown stalks that you otherwise might forget.

I actually told my wife I'd like a nice leather bound journal for my birthday for that exact purpose.

I started taking a leather bound journal on my safaris about ten years ago..
I wrote in it each day of every Safari.
It brings memories back in VIVID detail. I highly recommend it as well!
I hope one day my kids can read it after I'm gone and relive some adventures

I've kept notes of every hunt I've taken since the 1990s. Journals are a good way to relive excellent memories. For the not so excellent memories, they are a way to call up details in a factual manner. I also write of my Alaska hunts for the same reasons even though there is no guide or agent imnvolved.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by FFemtRN5287:
I actually told my wife I'd like a nice leather bound journal for my birthday for that exact purpose.

I searched DSC for a booth selling leather bound journals and came up short...anyone know where I could find a nice one?

I write during meal breaks and in the evenings while on the hunt. I carry Steno pad and on my first trip to Namibia I filled 96 pages with notes.

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:

quote:

Originally posted by FFemtRN5287:
I actually told my wife I'd like a nice leather bound journal for my birthday for that exact purpose.

I searched DSC for a booth selling leather bound journals and came up short...anyone know where I could find a nice one?

Pete, just get nice journal on Amazon, take some old pieces of leather and glue or saw it on
You'll be more proud of it than some expensive stuff
You can carve or burn name and dates on the front and so forth
Use your imagination
I found it lot more rewarding

quote:

Originally posted by BNagel:
I write 'Hunting Reports' for that exact reason. Even so, after a while the memories correspond more to my notes and write-up plus pics than the actual timeline events.

(Wonder how many folks actually read the reports. I just look at pics, since my little adventures don't bear any resemblance to those of true safari hunters.)

Me too. I write hunting reports for mainly myself other than info about the business dealing of the trip (outfitter honest ect).

Mike

I've kept track of every outdoor outing I've taken for the last 10 years, at least. I started in leather bound journals, but I'm a poor handwriter, so I graduated to computer logs only.

Last year on my first safari I took handwritten notes, but my notes suffered. Just too much to write. I have to write too slowly to make it legible. . .

So I tried something new last year on a 13 day elk hunt. I kept voice notes on my phone, then I was able to keep them on the cloud, and also listen to my voice notes to make much more detailed log entries when I got home.

Way way easier for me. I could make a very detailed voice note in 5 minutes while dinner was cooking, then hit the rack. I was able to get a lot more details in that way, and able to write more thoroughly in my log.

Plus, it's kinda neat to listen to the voice notes. I can hear the exhaustion in my voice. The ups and downs from the hunt. The excitement comes through, and also the low portions, or the frustrations. I wish I had done the same thing on my safari. It's cool to read my wife and I's notes in the journal, but it would also be cool to listen to our voices describe our days. . .

I plan to continue the voice notes. And then of course back them up with typed log entries.

Bake

On my last guided hunt (not African) I bought a small notebook to take notes with. Right before I left my wife presented me with a leather bound notebook for the same purpose. I have no idea where she got it but very much appreciated that she did it.

I've found that writing a note on a specific but unique fact/event helps me recall memories better than too many notes on how nice the sunset was, or something that is more common. For example, a note that says simply, "Tripped on root, cut hand" will remind you of an entire scene/day better than trying to write effusive notes about an entire day and then mention tripping. At least it works for me, but then I've got a strange memory.

I use lots of Moleskine notebooks, especially the volant softcover ones - I always have one in my pocket. Rite in the Rain are also excellent notebooks.

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:

quote:

Originally posted by FFemtRN5287:
I actually told my wife I'd like a nice leather bound journal for my birthday for that exact purpose.

I searched DSC for a booth selling leather bound journals and came up short...anyone know where I could find a nice one?

Gallery has nice stuff. I really like their planners.

http://www.galleryleather.com/...ournals/desk-journal

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:

quote:

Originally posted by FFemtRN5287:
I actually told my wife I'd like a nice leather bound journal for my birthday for that exact purpose.

I searched DSC for a booth selling leather bound journals and came up short...anyone know where I could find a nice one?

Our local Barnes and Noble has a pretty large selection of Italian leather journals. I haven't checked their website, though. Do you have a B&N nearby?

I take a small notebook and start writing things down the moment we leave the house on a trip, whether it be to Canada fishing or Africa hunting, etc.
When we get back I get a photo album and retype the daily notes and put the days activities in order with the pictures. That way there is a "running commentary" for each day. My last trip to Africa I noted the exchange rate, several prices in Rand, and compared them to USD (gasoline/petrol, cigarettes, coffee at the airports, etc).

2nd that on the Barnes & Noble selection of leather journals. Decently priced.

quote:

Originally posted by Nitro Express:

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:

quote:

Originally posted by FFemtRN5287:
I actually told my wife I'd like a nice leather bound journal for my birthday for that exact purpose.

I searched DSC for a booth selling leather bound journals and came up short...anyone know where I could find a nice one?

Our local Barnes and Noble has a pretty large selection of Italian leather journals. I haven't checked their website, though. Do you have a B&N nearby?

Good call...I forgot about Barnes&Nobel. I have one about 30 minutes away, so next time I stop I'll pick one up.

Thx

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:

quote:

Originally posted by Nitro Express:

quote:

Originally posted by Heym 450/400:

quote:

Originally posted by FFemtRN5287:
I actually told my wife I'd like a nice leather bound journal for my birthday for that exact purpose.

I searched DSC for a booth selling leather bound journals and came up short...anyone know where I could find a nice one?

Our local Barnes and Noble has a pretty large selection of Italian leather journals. I haven't checked their website, though. Do you have a B&N nearby?

Good call...I forgot about Barnes&Nobel. I have one about 30 minutes away, so next time I stop I'll pick one up.

Thx

B&N Carries a lot of the Gallery journals

I've kept alog or journal of my major overseas hunts too. 1st time to Africa was in a notebook with lots of writing and last couple of trips have all been done on a laptop with a word processing program. I usually write stuff twice a day, noon time ish and then again in the evenings before bed. While carrying a laptop is more cumbersome than a notebook or journal book, it lets me add things after the fact in a better manner, just tab wherever I want to add stuff instead of chicken scratching things in margins or wherever there is room in the notebook. Once my trip is over and Im back home I go though the entries again and fix any spelling, grammar and even add things Ive forgotten during the initial draft typing. Once I have it done I cut and paste some pictures from the trip into the body of the overall report and then I print the entire trip log and put it into an appropriate sized three ring binder (typically a 1" one), add a picture into the binder's front clear plastic sleeve with a trip caption and then they go on my coffee table. I will re-read them and also when folks ask about the trip I can show that to them also. I also make a copy of my AR hunt report and stick that in the back of the binder too. It has been very usefull over time to refresh memories plus I use it when I make up my photo album/scrapbook of the hunt which is really more pictures and other things I collect from the trip (maps, money samples, postage stamps, business cards and what ever else I find of interest on the trips). Doing the photo album is my way of making a trophy piece from the hunt and also another easy way to remember some details plus let others see what the trips are about and why they are fun and interesting to me. Since one can't always remember all the details, I also carry a small notebook with me daily to jot down things of importance, trackers names, farm names where a hunt to place, animals seen, shot distances, whatever I feel will help later with the journal and scarp book. My wife says I'm obsessed, but hey I like doing it and its will proved memories for my kids when I'm gone and they have some of my many mounts and want to know about where and when dad got them.
Willi

Saw what this gal does on Texas Country Reporter.
Handmade journals in many styles.
She's in Austin.

http://ionahandcraftedbooks.com/

Interesting segment on how she learned to do this.

That's a good idea but Ive never done that, but I guarantee you I have every hunt or instance that took place on a hunt going back to my childhood, its imprinted their like a computer except you cannot erase it. I can tell you every animal Ive shot, the gun I used, how the bullet performed, the load I used, what velocity it was, and the circumstances of the hunt, good and bad, and with who I hunted with, the whole sheband..How come it? I have no idea, but its there. Im 82 and I forget all manor of stuff these days, but not my hunts and exciting events like ropings Ive won and lost and why..It just stays..end of story..

Short term memory? not so hot..now what where did I put my glasses, oh yeah, they are on top of my head, ALL THE TIME..

I use my iPad in the evenings and capture the day's events, even if it's late and the generator has been killed. Sometimes its just a few words to ensure I remember months later which day a particular event or sighting occurred. When I find time after I've returned, but not too long after, I dump these to Word and "dress up" the notes, expanding the reminders into more detailed descriptions. I then upload my photos to Shutterfly and create a diary of the hunt with the daily notes and corresponding photos. The 12 by 12 Photo Books make a great way to share the experience with friends and family. After making a few of these now, you really come to appreciate photos and descriptions of the daily activities - not just the kills and trophy photos.