Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Savage Collectors 99 deer notches on your gun

+1

There's an old tree up in the hollow above our camp (if it's still standing) that Dad used to hunt from. I believe that before he died he'd put 32 notches on that tree, and I had added 5 more. Dad's been gone 30 years now, and I haven't been up there since. It's hallowed ground to me and it's just too hard to go up there. Everybody on the mountain knew that was where Dad would be on the opener. The old hillbilly that keeps an eye on our camp has added several notches to the tree, as have others, from what he's said. I haven't been back on the hill in several years now, but hope to this fall, and I hope to hear shots coming from the area simply known as "Dad's tree."

That is so cool, like a little time capsule inside the rifle.

I personally wouldn't notch one but if ever I own one someone else did, I think I'd leave them there. I have my uncles Remington 510 .22 he got as a kid in the 30s or 40s, the finish is in rough shape now and there are a bunch of little notches in the forend I assume he cut there. No way will I refinish that stock.

I have owned guns with notches just not inflicted by me

I have a 1899 Savage mod B 30-30-in real nice shape that has a single notch above the comb

norm

Would never do it, but have a couple with them.

That's quite a few notches in the top gun there! I like a gun with hunting stories!

I think for me it's about being a woodworker..I can't look at a piece of wood without seeing how I could make it (more personal) "better". Of course I appreciate how subjective "better" is, and would never defile an historic collector piece.

Thanks for everyone's input!

Happy New Year

I like to drive an empty shell into a tree when I kill a deer.

Wouldn't notch a rifle, but have a couple with notches, adds to the history...

Notching was considered taboo and would swiftly bring the wrath of the elders when I was learning to hunt. So, no....