Why do you trophy hunt?

[Work2hunt]

For me "trophy hunting" is a part of a natural progression. However, I look at it more has "mature" animal hunting. There was a time, as I'm sure with most that I shot everything I could. As time progressed I wanted to be in the woods longer and growing up in Northern MN with a one deer a year limit I wanted to prolong my season (which also is why I took up archery and muzzleloader hunting). To prolong my season I decided to wait for a "mature" deer for the area. Which usually meant a 2.5 yr old buck. When I'm whitetail hunting I still wait for a mature deer that I know is in the area through trail camera pics and scouting. I say usually wait for a mature deer because now as a father I want my daughters to witness the the shooting of an animal. So if they are with me usually everything is fair game but fawns and yearlings. I'm also now hunting a deer friendly area with multiple tags so I can still hold at least one tag to prolong my season.

Ultimately, I "trophy hunt" to prolong the season.

 

[Maxhunter]

I basically do it for the challenge. It also helps prolong my season like stated.

 

[Slugz]

I don't even really know what the definition of trophy hunting is.......when I hear that I think of the guy who has the extra cash (good on him) to pick and choose his hunts for max size animals. We are in America land of free will so I believe you should be able to do what you want with in the guidelines established by law.

I have a different definition of trophy........"going in to that area that everyone bashes, learning it, patterning the animals and knocking down one of respectable size" That's my trophy. I do it for the challenge. I love hearing from my friends " wow did I see a big one, he was just in too deep, dark, nasty a place" or " you and you son would do well here, lots of ATV/truck hunters"......not bashing truck ATV/Hunting....they have their place and uses.

My trophy is the challenge....I rate success based upon 1) my son at my side/ people that are in camp 2) that awesome view from on top 3) a short tracking job and a heavy pack.

 

[ivorytip]

i trophy hunt because I can buy a whole beef for a lot cheaper than is spent on hunting trips. granted, a cow hunt or a doe hunt even a spike hunt are real easy hunts that can be finished on opening day by anyone that knows their area and or has done his or her homework. towards end of hunting season ill drop whatever presents itself, I think about what it is that I look forward to when headed to hunting camp and without a doubt it is to surround my self with nature. waking up in the morning and breathing in that thin, clean crisp mountain air, taking in the smell of fallen fall leaves soaked in mornings dew, hearing the birds and chipmunks preparing for winters cold, and then I hear it, a familiar sound drifting up from the bottom of a steep, nasty, timber thickened draw. my ears perk up and that long carried out song followed buy a deep gurgled grunt finds my ears again.... my blood begins pumping harder, all my senses are maxed out, the plan begins to unfold before me.....so.... I find that the real trophy in it for me is the experience. if I can end the season with a freezer full of tasty all natural meat and a wall covered in IvoryTips... it adds an extra big smile. hey! 3 more months!!!!!

 

[hoshour]

#1 reason seems to be to extend the season & reason #2 is the added challenge

 

[Hilltop]

I believe the word trophy means something a little different to all of us. A trophy to me is an animal that I get excited about. My blood is pumping and the adrenaline makes me feel a little "buck fever". It really depends on the hunt and location as to what particular class of animal does that. A smart old doe during early archery is still a trophy to me...

 

[CrossCreeks]

For me it's the personal gratification of setting higher goals, when I let game animals walk after I have worked to put myself in a position to take the animal if I choose it's rewarding. Just being there is the reward and when I do take those chosen animals it's a bonus ! Trophies are not only for the wall but you put them in your heart and memories .

 

[dan maule]

As I have gotten a little older I take more enjoyment in the whole process of hunting "Mature" game. I care less and less about what the score of the antlers are and take the most pride in the hunts that require more effort and skill. I have learned that I get more enjoyment out of whole experience and not as much from the kill. Mainly I think because I hate being done hunting for the year.

 

[missjordan]

I haven't taken many trophy animals but my goal is to take a bigger animal than in years past. My goal for the last couple years has been to harvest a mature buck. Last year I shot a deer I was happy with so now my focus for this year is to harvest an elk that's not a rag horn. I believe that trophy hunting is always trying to set larger goals worth striving for than years past

 

[480/277]

Why do you trophy hunt?

That is, if you do concentrate on getting the biggest bull or buck you can find.

Is it competitive spirit? Taking hunting to a higher level, taxing your body and honing your skills? Is it pride in outsmarting the best buck on the mountain? What makes trophy hunting special for you?

Because some nonhunters MAY understand meat hunting somewhat or enjoying the annual hunting trip with family or friends, but just don't get trophy hunting, even though we consume the meat from trophies too.

Because it's fun.

 

[gonhunting247]

I don't, I just HUNT, because trophy is too hard to define!

Hunting recharges me and clears my head. I enjoy every minute of the whole journey; the sights, sounds and smell. The solitude, sweat, pain, frustration and the pure feeling of joy and respect for your quarry that comes from the satisfaction of success;as well as, the recognition of hard work, mental and physical toughness realized when you work your butt off and come up empty. The satisfaction that you dug deep and gave everything you had and came up short is ok; because you'll be back to enjoy every minute of the whole thing, over and over again, as long as you are able.
The memories made while hunting are incredible! I can go back in my mind and remember almost every detail of hunts spent with my family, friends and alone. That's not to mention the great people that you meet along the way and the places that you experience, that without hunting, few get to enjoy.

I shoot the animal that feels right at the time. I do set goals for myself that fit the area, time frame and the weapon I'm using. I guess I was raised a meat hunter and part of the whole experience is the packing out, processing, packaging and eating the finest food on the planet. It kind of completes the cycle.
That's not to say I don't shoot the biggest buck, bull or the most mature animal I can find in a given period, because I do most of the time! That has more to do with outwitting a older mature animal; hence the challenge of the hunt.
Scores are neat to see and the huge animals that folks take are incredible, but to me mean very little in the whole scheme of things. It's more about the experience (the story) and intestinal fortitude it took to achieve a goal. It could be the fact that you passed on the passion for hunting to a kid or non-hunter. Maybe you out smarted a critter that has been hiding within sight of town. Or you beat a physical impairment to achieve a goal.
That's the beauty of hunting, it is so many things to different people, the trophy aspect is just a minute part of the whole experience. So, I guess to me it's just HUNTING! Whether you're only satisfied with a B&C animal, meat for the freezer or anything in between, it's all about THE HUNT and what each person is looking to accomplish!

 

[mrfudd]

No different than trying to catch the biggest fish possible or picking up the best looking woman in a bar. For the challenge of taking the apex member of the chosen species at that location. It may be a 7" native brook trout in a tiny creek, a 360" elk, or a 125" whitetail- still looking for the best that a given area has.