Just say you didn't start keeping count until after 100.

I notched my .22 that has a wooden stock.

Instead of notching your rifle why not do what we do and save the case from the round that killed the animal and display them in a case.

This is what we have been doing. I wished we would have put the date and the name of the hunter on the case.

And well you should.

X2

I wouldnt have a stock left...keep the casing, write date on it, the head, the arrow....Keep a log, notch the stand its shot from with date....

Historically I have kept the empty shell along with an index card containing details... date, animal, location, gun (since I have multiple guns of the same caliber), who I was with, weather, blah, blah... in modern times I now keep the info in a spreadsheet and simply stuff a piece of paper in the shell that has a number corresponding to the spreadsheet info.

-Mickey

I like this idea a lot, thanks for all the ideas everyone.



This shelf is awesome by the way!

When I was growing up my dad, uncle, and I had a bench made of 2x6's at our camp we used to sit around the fire. The bench was divided into 3 sections (one for each of us) which we notched with our kills. I also notched the edges of my first skinning knife, but have never notched a rifle. I have had a few guns handed down which were notched, and it just gives a little character to an old heirloom IMHO. Usually makes for good conversation.

I keep and mark shell casings and mark certain rifles with a sharpie. I do it as a sign of respect and remembrance, same as pictures.

The sentiment is great, but it ruins the beauty and value of the gun, which may be needed if a family member has to sell the weapon in an emergency. This is of no consequence if the gun belonged to someone like Billy The Kid, Buffalo Bill, etc. with notches equaling men killed. At the end of the day, it's your gun, do with it as you will.
FWIW, my favorite gun is my old Marlin 39A that my dad gave me when I turned 10. I came as close to killing someone as I think I possibly could over a material possession, when I loaned it to a "friend" who then proceeded to pawn it, and then refinished it before I got it back. the only reason I even got it back was, his wife discovered the pawn ticket in her car a few days after he borrowed it.

In 1957 my grandpa gave me a iver Johnson model x safety 22. The stock had a dark walnut stain, I took the stock to shop class to sand down and refinish, I discovered 13 notches on the stock. I asked my grandpa what the were and he said he had killed 13 skunks, still have it today with a clear varnish and it will belong to my grand kids soon.
Ol' 22 $100 bucks --13 notches priceless

Yep

I notched my sling shot for awhile but had to quit, with as many birds and squirrels as I killed I was just whittling the sucker down

I would have had to buy several new stocks for all my rifles if I notched them for all the deer I killed with them.

Thats the way the deer stands look at my place. We glue them above the window and leave the casing then write a little desription under each one. On the 2x4 above the window.

I used to etch the brass with the date and the animal killed. They stayed in a junk box for years, and some how they got thrown away. When I realized what had happened I quit doing the etching.

I just take a picture and post it on the THF, it will be there forever.

I definitely wouldnt notch my gun. I would keep the casings or write it down with details of the momment. I love my guns to much to damage them on purpose.

I would make a beaver jealous.

No notches in gun or bed post. Just some things I see no reason to share.

Nope, I get rid of firearms that don't perform well and take really good care of my others. When it comes time to harvest your hunt is over, it should just be mechanics. Photo's work for memories

Don't disfigure your firearm. Just take a photo with your camera to archive the hunt.

Nope

NOPE (X2)