About
Deer Camp Diaries is a purpose-built hunting journal application designed for serious deer hunters who want to capture and organize every detail of their time in the field. Created by Wesley Pingleton, the app provides a streamlined way to document hunt logs including date, time, location, weapon used, and harvest photos — building a rich personal record season after season. The app includes a full weapon library where hunters can store images and notes for each firearm or bow in their arsenal. Scouting data such as rubs, scrapes, track sightings, and trail camera footage can all be logged as hunting prep notes, helping users identify patterns and plan future hunts more effectively. GPS-powered stand and location marking lets hunters pin their best spots directly from the field, while offline-first architecture ensures the app works perfectly in remote areas with no cell coverage. All data is stored locally on the device via Core Data — no account required, no data collection, complete privacy. Deer Camp Diaries is ideal for solo hunters who want a simple, distraction-free way to preserve hunting memories and build a historical record of their harvests, scouting efforts, and gear setups. Compatible with iPhone (iOS 16.6+), iPad, Mac (Apple M1+), and Apple Vision Pro, it supports Family Sharing for up to six members.
Key Features
- Detailed Hunt Logs: Record every harvest with date, time, location, weapon used, and a photo to build a complete hunting history.
- Weapon Library: Store images and notes for every firearm or bow in your arsenal, keeping all gear details organized in one place.
- Scouting & Prep Notes: Log rubs, scrapes, tracks, and trail camera footage to identify deer activity patterns before and between hunts.
- GPS Stand & Location Marking: Pin your best hunting spots and stands directly from the field using built-in GPS location tracking.
- Offline-First & Private: All data is stored locally on-device via Core Data — no account, no internet required, and no data collected by the developer.
Use Cases
- A deer hunter logging each harvest with date, location, weapon, and photo to build a multi-season personal record.
- A bowhunter maintaining a detailed weapon library with bow specs, arrow setups, and notes for each piece of gear.
- A scout marking GPS waypoints for tree stands, scrapes, and rubs during pre-season scouting trips in areas with no cell coverage.
- A hunting camp group using Family Sharing so multiple members can each maintain their own private hunt journals on a single purchase.
- A hunter reviewing past seasons' logs and prep notes to identify patterns and choose the best stand locations for the upcoming season.
Pros
- Fully Offline: Works perfectly in remote areas with zero cell coverage — ideal for backcountry and rural hunting locations.
- Complete Privacy: The developer collects no data whatsoever; everything stays on your personal device.
- All-in-One Hunting Record: Combines harvest logs, weapon library, scouting notes, and GPS marking in a single streamlined app.
Cons
- iOS/Apple Ecosystem Only: Available exclusively on iPhone, iPad, Mac (M1+), and Apple Vision — Android users are not supported.
- One-Time Paid Purchase: Costs $9.99 upfront with no free trial, which may deter casual hunters wanting to evaluate before buying.
- No Cloud Sync or Backup: Data is stored only on-device, so losing or replacing your phone without a backup means losing all your hunt history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Deer Camp Diaries work without cell service?
Yes. The app is fully offline-first and stores all data locally on your device using Core Data, so it works perfectly in remote areas with no signal.
How much does Deer Camp Diaries cost?
It is a one-time paid purchase for $9.99 on the Apple App Store — there are no subscriptions or in-app purchases.
Does the developer collect any of my hunting data?
No. The developer, Wesley Pingleton, has indicated that no data is collected from the app. All information stays on your device.
What devices are compatible with Deer Camp Diaries?
The app requires iOS 16.6 or later for iPhone and iPad, macOS 13.5 or later on Apple M1 Macs, and visionOS 1.0 or later for Apple Vision Pro.
Can I share the app with my family?
Yes. Deer Camp Diaries supports Apple Family Sharing, allowing up to six family members to use the app with a single purchase.
