The Appeal of Trophies?

[Alistair]

I enjoy seeing the pictures of various members trophies on here, and the lengths some of you go to present them in the best light within your homes.

That said, I do wish to pose a question to you all.

I love hunting, but honestly, I find I'm not too hung up on trophies. At present, this is fairly academic as financials dictate that most of my hunting is effectively 'cull hunts'. However, I'm not sure that actually being able to take home a trophy would really improve my hunting experience.

I value the hunt for the atmosphere, the excitement, the primal satisfaction of 'winning' against an animal in the most important contest of its life. I values the memories and I value the meat. I do like to take a decent photo sometimes, but equally sometimes I don't bother and just live in the moment. I can remember pretty much all the animals I've taken vividly for one reason or another, and I suspect that this will continue.

All this being the case, the idea of paying nearly as much again to sort out a 'momento' of a hunt is a touch odd to me. I'd much rather spend that money on the next hunt, the next experience. All else being equal I'd certainly rather have 30KG of venison to enjoy with friends than a decent rack of antlers!

So that's my perspective. What say you all? What importance do you place on the retention of a trophy? Why is it important to you? If you couldn't take one for whatever reason, would you still wish to do the hunt?

 

[JimP]

As they say "a trophy is in the eye of the beholder"

I like what I have on the wall, others have other ways to remember the hunt and times. I have a friend that has been to Africa a dozen times and all he does is to take a trophy picture and hangs that on the wall. His wall is covered with them.

So do what you like and don't worry about what others do

 

[firehuntfish]

There is certainly nothing wrong with your perspective on "trophies" as I am sure that same perspective is shared by a great many hunters... To that, I would say cheers and to each his own... I personally don't like the term "trophy" in regard to animals that I have hunted.... I have always regarded the word "trophy" to be an anti-hunting term that suggests the only reason an animal is hunted is for the purpose of the hunters' ego in displaying a dead animal on the wall. As any real hunter, sportsman, and true conservationist knows, nothing could be further from the truth...

For me personally, the mounted trophy is a memory of the hunt. Each of my mounts represents a fond memory of the entire hunting experience. Furthermore, I personally feel that there is no higher respect you can pay to the animal than to preserve it's likeness in all of its glory in the form of a mount. In addition to all of that, I regard fine taxidermy as art just as much as any painting, sculpture, or similar work of "traditional" art... Most, if not all hunter's trophy rooms including my own, contain many forms of wildlife and hunting art in multiple forms. Regardless of the form, I feel that all of it pays the ultimate respect and homage to the beauty, majesty, and memory of the animal that was taken... Unfortunately, much of the time, only other hunters can relate to that. Yet, I do encounter a great many non(not anti) but non-hunters who do appreciate the art as well as the respect paid via the preservation of the memory.

I gave up trying to justify why I hunt, and why I keep "trophies" from my hunts long ago... I could honestly care less what anyone else thinks. I will happily explain my thoughts and feelings on hunting and trophies to anyone who sincerely inquires, but I refuse to justify my lifestyle as a hunter to an anti-hunter's hypocrisy...

 

[Bullthrower338]

To each his own! I prefer to mount a lot of the animals now that I can afford to do so. Had I been born wealthy instead of just devilishly handsome I would have far more mounts on the walls. I like the mounts just to look at and remember the affair. I enjoy the conversations that they start with visitors because I get to relive the hunt over and over. I look at my mountain lion every night when I walk in and think fondly of my best friend that was with me when I took him but was taken from this earth much to early. I do it to keep clarity of the past, when I’m gone, maybe my boys will enjoy them, maybe not, but I enjoy them now so that’s good enough for me.

 

[YancyW]

I understand where you are coming from, most of mine are European mounts, which I like the look. I have a few mounts, but I save those for truly special animals. I have no desire to get a shoulder mount on an average animal, a Rowland Ward or a nice SCI gold animal, then sure, but otherwise, it isn't something I am interested in.

 

[Boela]

I appreciate your discussion / question as this has made me consider why I value the trophies hanging on my wall.
I personally try to photograph each and every animal that I hunt, be that male or female.

To me, it is a way to show your respect to the taken animal and by no means to earn bragging rights. Each to their own as to exactly what criteria they use to determine what a trophy animal is to them.
I regard every animal I take as a trophy, and I will go through great lengths to get the best possible pose when photographing them.

I have a bunch of mounts that may not necessarily make the book, but to me, each one tells a unique story and is a starting point of retelling the story as visitors come into my home and start asking questions about the mounts.

It is most often also a way for me to be able to show and explain unique trates of the animal or species to my visitors.

Very often I sit and while seeing the mounts in front of me reminisce on the hunting experience.

It is a way for me to make use of every part of the animal that has been taken- nothing goes to waste, and thereby I can further honour the animal.

I have also used my mounts as a way to teach my 2yr old son to show and name the different species of animals, and in the years to come look forward to sharing each hunting experience with him, while pointing out the trophy.

 

[grand veneur]

I enjoy seeing the pictures of various members trophies on here, and the lengths some of you go to present them in the best light within your homes.

That said, I do wish to pose a question to you all.

I love hunting, but honestly, I find I'm not too hung up on trophies. At present, this is fairly academic as financials dictate that most of my hunting is effectively 'cull hunts'. However, I'm not sure that actually being able to take home a trophy would really improve my hunting experience.

I value the hunt for the atmosphere, the excitement, the primal satisfaction of 'winning' against an animal in the most important contest of its life. I values the memories and I value the meat. I do like to take a decent photo sometimes, but equally sometimes I don't bother and just live in the moment. I can remember pretty much all the animals I've taken vividly for one reason or another, and I suspect that this will continue.

All this being the case, the idea of paying nearly as much again to sort out a 'momento' of a hunt is a touch odd to me. I'd much rather spend that money on the next hunt, the next experience. All else being equal I'd certainly rather have 30KG of venison to enjoy with friends than a decent rack of antlers!

So that's my perspective. What say you all? What importance do you place on the retention of a trophy? Why is it important to you? If you couldn't take one for whatever reason, would you still wish to do the hunt?

I am of the same opinion and have already expressed a negative statement on another topic regarding the trophy hunting.

Sure , I'm also satisfied when I have a nice trophy , but it's not the most important thing. I have a certain respect for the game that I shot and the trophies are kept only as a relic of the dead animal , also a reason why there is no trophies mounts by me at home. Taxidermy mounts degrade for me the animal into a show object.

I would also hunt if I could not take the trophy home and moreover , I am very generous with giving away these , from many people , very beloved items. I have so gave away buffalos and deer trophies.

 

[Newboomer]

I share both points of view. I have several mounts ( I don't like the term trophy) from past safaris. Most of which have some special significance of the hunt and/or are unusual in some way. I have lost the desire for filling my walls with mounts and now would rather enjoy the chase and take good photos and the occasional oddball set of horns for a Euro mount. Also, I'm running out of wall space and spots for pedestals.

 

[JOHN GRENZ]

I like having some of my animals mounted and hung where I can see them every day. As I get older the hunts from 30-40 or more years ago seem to be faded from memory. Unless I have that set of antlers or mount saved either in my home or screwed to the wall in the garage. I can remember many more details of the hunt by looking at the real thing rather than pictures. But that’s just me.

 

[BRICKBURN]

........... being able to take home a trophy would really improve my hunting experience.

Bringing a momento home with me is certainly part of my international hunting experience.
Improving the hunting experience; only if you are being a selective conservation hunter.

I value the hunt for the atmosphere, the excitement, the primal satisfaction of 'winning' against an animal in the most important contest of its life. I values the memories and I value the meat. .....

Everyone who hunts would likely agree with you. The challenge is all part of hunting.

All this being the case, the idea of paying nearly as much again to sort out a 'momento' of a hunt is a touch odd to me. I'd much rather spend that money on the next hunt, the next experience.

Personal choices. Hunt hard and hunt often.

All else being equal I'd certainly rather have 30KG of venison to enjoy with friends than a decent rack of antlers!
.........

My 40Kg's of meat from my selective harvest will be just as tasty.
It actually won't be equal. I may have the momento on the wall.
If it becomes a matter of scarce personal resources then the momento's will change form.

Taxidermy screens people pretty quickly. The reactions are telling. As @Bullthrower338 noted, it starts conversations.

Some other twists on a similar theme.
https://www.africahunting.com/threads/taking-trophies-or-only-pictures.52104/

https://www.africahunting.com/threa...-ph-a-size-wish-list.42070/page-2#post-423653

 

[Stephen Ausband]

This is an interesting topic. I have some trophies from my two African hunts, as well as a couple of whitetail mounts and a wild boar mount. There's not much room in my little hunting cabin/man cave for more, and I may never hang another on the wall. I would very much like to hunt Africa again, but I doubt I'll have any taxidermy work if I get to do it. It's a matter of both room and money. With that said, I'll have to add that I really enjoy looking at the mounts, and at some more than others. I look at the two buffalo I have taken, but especially at the shoulder mount of the very old buff from Kazuma, and I can hear my PH standing next to me as we looked at him on the ground: "Typical old Matetsi bull," he said. It was a matter-of-fact statement, but it had a sense of reverence and respect in its tone. And I can remember being alone with the bull while the guys cut a path through the bush so we could get the truck to him to load him up. There may be some things in the hunting world better than that hour or so, but right now I can't think of what they are. The kudu mount is a beautiful piece of work, and I look at it and marvel that whatever god makes animals could make one look like that. He still takes my breath away. The loin from that kudu, cooked up medium rare by a guy on a tiny wood stove that looked sort of like a metal plate on a bunch of concrete blocks, was still the most enjoyable piece o meat I've ever eaten. I have shot a lot of deer, but I only have two deer mounts over the little fireplace. One came from the hill right behind the cabin, and the other came from two hills over, and I guess that's why I like them. I have a mount of a wild boar. It's not a thing of beauty, but it is distinctive in a hairy, toothy, bristly sort of way. I keep it only because my son and two of my granddaughters were with me on the hunt when I shot it. I look at the boar and remember their success and pleasure on the hunt. I may never do another mount, but I enjoy the ones I have.

 

[Wade J VanGinkel]

I have 3 actual mounts and 2 rugs. Only because those were very significant to me and not because of overall size at all.
The rest are self done euros or less.
I'm in no way a trophy hunter, although I admit a larger animal certainly brings great satisfaction.
For me it's all about the experience and the adventure. More so if my son shared it with me

 

[Tony485]

I’m happy to have joined AH, this topic is very interesting and obviously a very personal one to many of us hunters. That being said I admire those who get all these Beautiful taxidermy mounts portrayed in their homes. When I was young my first two Deers my father had mounted for me they still remain on the wall in my Parents cottage. After those first two mounts I never mounted another animal again. The desire just wasn’t there anymore to have the trophy. This year my wife shot her first black bear with no intention of keeping a trophy just giving away the meat to people who needed it. After getting it out of the woods and bringing it home she realized that she wanted to make a rug out of it so she could remember this trophy and have it for the rest of her life. She is still waiting anxiously for the arrival of the rug!

 

[Mort Hill]

To each his own! I prefer to mount a lot of the animals now that I can afford to do so. Had I been born wealthy instead of just devilishly handsome I would have far more mounts on the walls. I like the mounts just to look at and remember the affair. I enjoy the conversations that they start with visitors because I get to relive the hunt over and over. I look at my mountain lion every night when I walk in and think fondly of my best friend that was with me when I took him but was taken from this earth much to early. I do it to keep clarity of the past, when I’m gone, maybe my boys will enjoy them, maybe not, but I enjoy them now so that’s good enough for me.

Good looks can take you places @Bullthrower338. I wouldn’t know. I echo many of the things you say. I would add that from a young age, I have always been fascinated with taxidermy. I remember as a young boy in the 60’s spending a day at the Smithsonian looking at all the mounted species. I was hooked. As I grew older, I realized I liked taxidermy as an art form, and have had over 75 pieces mounted since then, both as pieces of art, and for the memories they instill. I guess when I get to a point where I can’t remember what it is, when I hunted, where I hunted, or who I hunted with, it will be time to take that last safari home.

 

[Alistair]

Some interesting comments here, so thanks for the input.

I should clarify that this was in no way intended to be judgemental towards those who do like to take mounts / trophies / whatever, just a genuine question.

In answer to a few of the points raised above though, personally I don't really think there is an ethical angle to it either way. Take a trophy, take a photo, both show respect to our quarry in their own way, both provide the same experience and feelings to the hunter and in both situations an animal has died. Either is absolutely fine in my view as long as it has been hunted ethically, legally and the resulting resources used.

To say that you're not 'making full use' of a beast or not showing it the full respect because you haven't felt the need to stuff and mount it, is to me personally nonsense. I think we're all in agreement that we don't hunt 'just' for a trophy, so the value obtained for the local environment, the wider population of the quarry, even for the locals people is identical in either situation. What the hunter takes away beyond memories after that is simply a matter of personal preference, nothing more.

Perhaps my views will change over time, and I certainly have no moral issue with mounts (as stated in the above), but as it stands, I'm quite happy with my memories, possibly a photo or two and a few good dinners.

Each to their own!

Al.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Some interesting comments here, so thanks for the input.

I should clarify that this was in no way intended to be judgemental towards those who do like to take mounts / trophies / whatever, just a genuine question.

In answer to a few of the points raised above though, personally I don't really think there is an ethical angle to it either way. Take a trophy, take a photo, both show respect to our quarry in their own way, both provide the same experience and feelings to the hunter and in both situations an animal has died. Either is absolutely fine in my view as long as it has been hunted ethically, legally and the resulting resources used.

To say that you're not 'making full use' of a beast or not showing it the full respect because you haven't felt the need to stuff and mount it, is to me personally nonsense. I think we're all in agreement that we don't hunt 'just' for a trophy, so the value obtained for the local environment, the wider population of the quarry, even for the locals people is identical in either situation. What the hunter takes away beyond memories after that is simply a matter of personal preference, nothing more.

Perhaps my views will change over time, and I certainly have no moral issue with mounts (as stated in the above), but as it stands, I'm quite happy with my memories, possibly a photo or two and a few good dinners.

Each to their own!

Al.

I think your OP was well stated, that you were looking for what makes us do what we do.

 

[Newboomer]

Mounts are great, photos are great for memories and conversation pieces. These are just one aspect of the hunt, emphasis on hunt. There is so much more to the taking of game from planning to the shot to the taxidermy (if so inclined) to the meat prep to consumption of same. Even if we don't bring anything home there is great satisfaction in knowing we have helped feed some of the local people here or in the country we hunt in.When I look at my heads on the wall I have to wonder how many locals I fed that day. There is also the feeling that I have lent a hand in wildlife conservation.

 

[enysse]

Taxidermy is not cheap, no one said it was but the memories you have from seeing that mount live on in your head every time you see that magnificent mount. Yes, you have to have space and an understanding significant other but animal mounts in the house or fancy garage are wonderful to look at if you can afford it.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking pictures. The plus side is you can do more hunting, have more room in your house or garage and keep the significant other happy.

 

[mikecatt13]

I enjoy taxidermy. Picking poses, displaying them, etc. I like not just having them in rooms but actually walking around specifically looking at my mounts every so often even though I know them all well.

Im thankful for every animal that has given its life for food, memories, conservation, etc. and think taxidermy is a good way to immortalize and honor the animal. I find it easier to remember the hunt in detail and that memories come flooding back when I take time to really look at a mount (most of mine are shoulder mounts but I have some Europeans style too)

I dont think this is the only way to honor the animal and remember the hunt, that varies by person. As long as you hunt ethically, what you do with antlers, horns, and skins is your choice IMO. But for me, the cost of taxidermy is easily justifiable for those reasons.

As far as trophy quality...that's a "to each their own" type of thing and I dont think it needs to be made more complicated. Mature animals should be harvested for conservation and management reasons. Beyond that, if you want to shoot culls to get more quantity for your money or shoot larger animals because that's what you want for your money (call it quality, in relation to the size not the experience), that's each person's decision

 

[Tra3]

This is an interesting topic. I have some trophies from my two African hunts, as well as a couple of whitetail mounts and a wild boar mount. There's not much room in my little hunting cabin/man cave for more, and I may never hang another on the wall. I would very much like to hunt Africa again, but I doubt I'll have any taxidermy work if I get to do it. It's a matter of both room and money. With that said, I'll have to add that I really enjoy looking at the mounts, and at some more than others. I look at the two buffalo I have taken, but especially at the shoulder mount of the very old buff from Kazuma, and I can hear my PH standing next to me as we looked at him on the ground: "Typical old Matetsi bull," he said. It was a matter-of-fact statement, but it had a sense of reverence and respect in its tone. And I can remember being alone with the bull while the guys cut a path through the bush so we could get the truck to him to load him up. There may be some things in the hunting world better than that hour or so, but right now I can't think of what they are. The kudu mount is a beautiful piece of work, and I look at it and marvel that whatever god makes animals could make one look like that. He still takes my breath away. The loin from that kudu, cooked up medium rare by a guy on a tiny wood stove that looked sort of like a metal plate on a bunch of concrete blocks, was still the most enjoyable piece o meat I've ever eaten. I have shot a lot of deer, but I only have two deer mounts over the little fireplace. One came from the hill right behind the cabin, and the other came from two hills over, and I guess that's why I like them. I have a mount of a wild boar. It's not a thing of beauty, but it is distinctive in a hairy, toothy, bristly sort of way. I keep it only because my son and two of my granddaughters were with me on the hunt when I shot it. I look at the boar and remember their success and pleasure on the hunt. I may never do another mount, but I enjoy the ones I have.

@Stephen Ausband i really appreciate how you described the sentiment and awe that follows a successful hunt. The time alone with an animal while one waits for friends to arrive is truly special, both sad and happy. The mix of emotion is really peaceful.
I do not have a single mount or euro in my home. I have euro’s in the garage. We have skins on the floor of a few rooms. My vegetarian daughter claimed my Hartman’s’ zebra rug immediately upon seeing it. When I sit on “her” rug I am reminded of the power of that stallion, and at the same time the finite time we exist. It makes me appreciate the moment that I am in rather than just furiously working through time to the next big thing.