I only notch my guns for law breakers and liberals, too much respect for the animals I shoot to mark up my guns.

My dad would write information down on a 3x5 index card whenever he bought a gun. If he took it hunting and killed something, he would record the information on the back of the card. He had to add more index cards to some of his favorite guns. When he died I received several of these guns and cards. It was very cool to go through these cards and see what he killed, distance, location, etc. I'll try and post a picture of one of these cards tonight.

I do the same thing.

My dad would write information down on a 3x5 index card whenever he bought a gun. If he took it hunting and killed something, he would record the information on the back of the card. He had to add more index cards to some of his favorite guns. When he died I received several of these guns and cards. It was very cool to go through these cards and see what he killed, distance, location, etc. I'll try and post a picture of one of these cards tonight.

I don't think I'd notch my gun but we do write date, time, name, buck or doe and how many points in the deer blind.

Personally I think it is pretty cool and doesn't degrade the animal or the weapon one bit. IMO it would make a great gun to pass down. My Great Grandfather had a double barrel 12ga shot gun that he hunted the woods of East Texas with and it had notches on the stock from his deer kills. I wanted that thing so bad groing up and you are correct in the memories. He told me the stories of every one. He is passed on and the youngest boy of eight boys (my uncle) has that shotgun now and will pass it to one of his boys I'm sure. I say do it and give it to your son or daughter some day.