I’m a hunter that goes out of his way to pursue and shoot mature bucks – ones with the biggest antlers possible. I seek, strategize, and generally obsess over the largest-antlered buck in the areas I hunt; trophies of the whitetail woods. I enjoy the chase as much as the harvest. And it’s a good thing because I often lose the fight. Still, you could say catching up to a trophy-class buck is my main hunting goal.
My motives and those of similarly-thinking hunters are a problem for some. Once you throw in the word “trophy”, it’s begrudged by many inside and outside of the hunting community. I continue to struggle with this and it sometimes has me questioning the main driver of my hunting escapades.
But not for long. After these brief musings, I continue with my thoughts of huge-antlered whitetails roaming my hunting digs (real and imagined). When the dust settles, I’m at peace with my perspective. After all, hunting is sport and all meat is consumed. Here are some other thoughts around trophy deer hunting as it relates to the hunting world.
You Can’t Eat the Antlers
I love this sentiment. It’s often said in response to trophy whitetail hunting. Though it doesn’t define my hunting motivation, I also agree with it. Come on, it’s obvious. Venison from smaller antlered bucks is just as good as that from a wise old monarch of the brush (and usually better).
I love venison and respect the hunters that hunt for the meat rather than long mainbeams, split brow tines. and sticker points. Like many, I hunt for meat too; it’s just not my main focus. I tend to think your average meat hunter would turn into a trophy hunter if not for a few minutes when confronted with a particularly large-antlered whitetail. Either way, it doesn’t matter.
Big Antlers and Conservation
Just because you primarily pursue deer with optimal antler size doesn’t mean you’re any less of a conservationist. Nonetheless, the lines have been blurred and something that is quite simple has been made complicated.
Trophy hunters maintain and improve habitats, not only for trophy-class bucks, but other wildlife.
I’m not sure exactly why. Maybe it’s due to a growing part of the hunting demographic pushing conservation as the predominant part of the hunting vernacular. Don’t get me wrong, the conservation movement is huge to say the least and it’s a necessary and positive sentiment. But along with the blowhorn of conservation comes a lot of narrative that seemingly says, “I hunt for the challenge, not antler size”, “it’s all about the experience”, or simply “I hunt for conservation”. Maybe it’s just me but none of these are mutually exclusive when considered along with trophy hunting.
Components of the concept of conservation include protecting species from extinction, maintaining and restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services and protecting biological diversity. Deer hunting itself funds a lot of these actions – and it does so whether you’re hunting a 1.5-year-old 4-pointer or freakishly large 16-pointer. Yes, you can be a trophy hunter and conservationist at the same time.
Preparation and Challenge
I’ve been told I have a screw loose; deer on the brain. How else could you explain scorching summers scouting for said trophy bucks. Throw in obsessing over trail cam images, 
stand preparation, and habitat management and yes, you’ve got a full-blown lunatic. Nonetheless, matching wits with this brand of whitetail is downright captivating.
Most deer hunters do some level of preparation. However, doing so for old wise bucks requires a higher level of groundwork. That’s because pursuing such a shrewd animal is more challenging. It typically requires more hours in the stand and attention to detail. I look at it as a goal and ultimately a prize for hard, albeit enjoyable work. Yes, hunting big mature bucks in free-range areas is arguably one of the biggest tests you’ll find in the hunting world. And the extra prep and challenge counts for something when weighing the merits of trophy hunting.
The Eye of the Beholder
How many times have you heard, “He’s a trophy for this area.”
This nice whitetail buck would be considered a trophy in some areas but not in others.
Trophy deer hunting begs for a different perspective on the very word “trophy”, if nothing else based on location. Not everyone has free range giants like the ones found in Iowa or Wisconsin. But except for those willing and able to hunt multiple states, many hunters rely on hunting for the best bucks in their home hunting ranges. And it’s very challenging and gratifying. The best part is, most areas have the potential for a hunter to hit the whitetail lottery for an unusually large-antlered buck. It’s this notion that keeps hunters with the trophy mentality motivated.
Yes, some hunters will bend over backwards to get on a Boone and Crockett-level buck by travelling around the country or even paying thousands for one within a high fence. However, many more hunt near home, keeping the dream alive for that special day when they have an encounter with such an animal – or even a mature buck that simply represents a great specimen for their home hunting turf.
These types of hunters also put in a ton of hours of preparation and habitat management in response to the challenge. There’s that word again. This shows that, regardless of what constitutes a trophy in a particular area, hunters have reverence and respect for such a special animal. Sounds like pretty good motives to me.
I could go on all day.
It’s All in a Word
Definitions for trophy include, something gained or given in victory or conquest especially when preserved or mounted as a memorial, an award for success in war or hunting, and something given as a token of victory.
Success, victory, award, and memorial.
No matter where, whenever I view a big whitetail buck on a wall, first and foremost, I see an incredible act of God’s creation. While the bucks on my wall aren’t of mammoth proportions, they were trophies when I encountered them – and they still are today.
When I look at them, I see hard work, great memories, and success. When I think of the latter, I’m also reminds of the failures that have also been a valuable part of my hunting journey.
Put differently, I see a memorial for a successful conquest when hard work and a true aim paid off.
Conclusion
Any negative connotation related the term trophy hunter should be reserved only for the few outlaws, poachers, and hunters taking animals only to pump their self-esteem. Of course, this is likely a pipe dream. In the meantime, trophy hunting is not only okay but is what makes many hunters tick. So are the mounted shrines in offices, dens, man caves, and she sheds.
Unfortunately, this is a PR battle that has probably already been lost. Still, if you choose to defend trophy hunting, state the facts and move on. Do so in a nonbelligerent way. And finally, provide the real meaning of trophy hunting.
Some think we should give up the term. I disagree. Instead, be prepared to properly explain it. Would it help if the term was “biggest antlered buck I can find hunter”? Somehow, I doubt it.
I can’t help but think that the popular hunting term, “hitlist buck” will be next in the hunting culture hot seat. You might want to prepare for that one as well.
