The Memory Isn't What It Used To Be

[B&CTom]

Over the years, I found it hard to keep track of which ivories belong which hunt. It seemed like a lot of them looked remarkably similar; especially the smaller bulls. I started right the year on the root of the tooth. Doesn't anyone else have a better idea, or do something differently?

 

[Gulf of America]

#humblebrag

I'm not a prolific enough killer to have this problem yet, but I'm sure you'll get some cool answers.

 

[MTTW]

I can identify a few sets from memory. I just put them in a jar. I am not completely sure why.

 

[Corn king 60]

Small plastic cylinders that are threaded and attach to each other.
I think they were found by my bride at Walmart,in the craft section.
Hopefully this helps.

 

[WildWill]

Over the years, I found it hard to keep track of which ivories belong which hunt. It seemed like a lot of them looked remarkably similar; especially the smaller bulls. I started right the year on the root of the tooth. Doesn't anyone else have a better idea, or do something differently?

View attachment 359101

I don't have near that collection. But you know what they say about a happy wife.

 

[Deez Nutz]

I do the exact same thing as OP, write the year on it with a sharpie. I've lost a good number of them too, wish I'd have taken more care to keep better track of them in my earlier years. I try to journal all of my elk hunts so I can associate them with my dated ivories when walking down memory lane.

I've got a jar full of elk ivories from my grandpa from elk that he killed. It holds a lot of value to me. Wish he was still around to tell me the stories.

 

[npaden]

I feel creepy with a bunch of teeth laying around. Not really sure what else to do with them though.

 

[cgasner1]

When I remember they go in this wood box I made when I was a freshman in high school. We could only use hand tools probably only wood project I’ll ever do

 

[B&CTom]

Wise move, @WildWill . Sad but true- while I couldn't identify which years some of the ivories belong to without those dates, I can remember the hunts down to the last detail. Yet I struggle remembering birthdays, etc. Including my own this year!

 

[BuzzH]

I have over 80 sets in various containers.

They're all mixed up.

 

[B&CTom]

I'll never have that many to keep track of, @BuzzH. Impressive collection!

 

[Caseknife]

My wife had a pair of ivory earrings on the other day and she asked me if they were the ones I got her made from my big
Wyoming bull or the ones that my dad had made from a set he carried in his pocket through the war walking beaches in San Clemente and towing targets for the Navy in the San Pedro Strait while in the Coast Guard. I couldn't remember, so no, I don't have a very good system going.

 

[DFS]

I remember taking an elk through the game check south of Missoula when I was in college. They asked me if they could look at the ivories and I told them I didn’t take them. I watched the one guys jaw drop and have taken them ever since. I’ve given most of them away though.

 

[Southern Elk]

I have forgotten to take some and misplaced others. Have a few laying around here and there.

I’ll tell you something worse than forgetting to take ivories. I helped a friend quarter up a bull using the gutless method. We got the quarters and the back straps off and he said ok let’s go. I said what about the tenderloins. He said I never take those. I couldn’t believe it. So I took them.

 

[mtmuley]

I said what about the tenderloins. He said I never take those.

I wouldn't hunt with that guy again. mtmuley

 

[BuzzH]

I wouldn't hunt with that guy again. mtmuley

No kidding.

Highly over-rated but well worth taking.