Campfire Discussions

Trophy Mounting Controversy

Hunting Ethics

by Outdoor Hub on January 9, 2012

Trophy Mounting Controversy

As a hunter who mounts his harvest on the wall or keeps the harvest’s skin as floor decor, have you ever received criticism from a non-hunter? Especially with a room full of trophies, non-hunters may get the impression that these animals died purely for sport and their bodies went to waste. And if that was the case, how do you defend hunting if it’s just for the thrill of the kill?

Does the money these hunters paid for licenses outweigh their hunting ethics? Consider that all that money goes toward conservation. Hunters and non-hunters on both sides of the story, strike up a campfire and settle this never-ending dissent between those who hunt and those who stay far away from trophy mounts.

Photo: Randy Robertson
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  • Billie Cooper

    The discussions about why we hunt run the gamet from wanting to put meat in the freezer to the belief that hunting is in our DNA. I just completed a good deal of research for a major magazine about why we hunt. Most individuals hut for a combination of reasons – love of the outdoors, to be with family and friends, to continue traditions and enjoy an adventure. No one mentioned the love of killing.

    • Earlkwoods

      Mlp
              The kill has very little to do with hunting,the mounts on the wall is a way to look back and remember the folks you were with,(get real most hunters also enjoy the meat or give it to feed the hungery I dont know any sportsman that hunts only for the kill.

  • LLD

    I imagine there are folks who hunt to kill… but I’ve never met one. I echo Billie’s statements about why we hunt. A final note — money never replaces ethics. In our case, the money is a product of our ethics. The industry and hunters are proud of their “America’s Most Important Conservationists” status.

  • Insidetheblind

    My comment is always the same as my husband and I hunt together and we have a few mounts on the wall. I always say “I have 4 children that have a rather expensive hobby called ‘eating’. We hunt to survive. If you would like to assist in supporting this hobby so I no longer have to ‘do that to those poor animals’ I take cash, check, charge or gift cards. You can make them out to “kiss my ass, venison is great”

    Usually they don’t have anything else to say lol

  • Spark

    All of the reasons listed prior to my post are right on. Food, Family, etc. I have never called a mount a “trophy”. An art form or recreation of nature would be more of the way I think.  It is a way to show the animal dignity if done right. I want others to see what I see in nature. The back of my truck is not a bragging situation. I want to share. Generations of people may enjoy what the animal was when properly cared for. If not taken by an ethical hunter, the animal dies in the wild in some form or another never to be scene again. My sister at the age of 40, finally is starting to realize the nutritional value of wild game. MANY reason TO HUNT. Thanks