Hijacked by anti-hunters, the term ‘trophy hunting’ has taken on a negative connotation in society – it’s time to take it back. Here’s a start to reframing the trophy-hunting discussion with non-hunters.

Defining a Trophy

When news anchors and the general public throw the term ‘trophy hunting’ around, they’re usually speaking in a very broad sense that assaults their emotions and is an affront to almost everything that modern, regulated hunters and hunting represents. The term is a misnomer, but they don’t even realize it.

A trophy is a very personal thing. For some just killing an animal to eat is reward enough. For others, a mature animal that is more wary is the goal. Still, for others, a very specific animal, or at least one meeting very high standards, is the ultimate goal.

This is all dependent upon the person, their skill level and experience in hunting (see infographic: “Evolution of a Hunter”), as well as understanding of the species they’re targeting.   A trophy is a crowning achievement for an individual. Period.

What it’s not

The popular myth of trophy hunting is that it’s simply hubristic killing by hunters for display upon a wall – which is only done for a head, hide or horns. The underlying belief is that the rest of the animal is left where it died and goes to waste.

This is the perception anti-hunters have created, and which they are framing hunters every chance they get. From “Cecil” the lion in Zimbabwe, Africa, to the proposed black-bear hunt under protest in Florida, anti-hunting activists and organizations cry ‘trophy hunt’ to convey what they believe is the senseless killing of animals – without regard to the associated science, management and ecosystem-wide benefits.

It’s an effective tactic that resonates with the public quickly. Those two words immediately generate an affront to the public’s sensibilities, and creates another hurdle we have to overcome to maintain scientific, and not emotional, management of our flora and fauna.

What it is

The fact is, what animal-rights’ activists portray is not just an affront to the public’s sensibilities, the waste of an animal is a disgrace to the sensibilities of a hunter, as well. When it comes to a ‘trophy hunt,’ two points often overlooked by outraged activists, the media and the public include:  A hunting season is not state-sanctioned slaughter. Every state has wanton waste laws that mandate the harvest and use of meat, hides or other body parts to ensure that the animal is not just wasted, and that the number of individuals taken is in accord with the supporting habitat and predator-prey balance of the area.

A ‘trophy’ animal and its use as table fare are not mutually exclusive. An animal can be a specimen worthy of both taxidermy and the table.

A trophy hunter is simply someone who has placed self-imposed restrictions upon themselves that go above and beyond what’s dictated by the state. They are more selective, and will pass on younger animals, often those barely reaching the minimum standard, in a deeply personal pursuit to further challenge their skills and learn as much as possible about the prey they pursue. Read more

For those of you who’d like to know how your local politicians are rated by the largest anti-hunting organization in the world, check out the report cards here: http://bit.ly/1QAHb1M.

Another video worth watching covers the HSUS position on hunting with the understanding that anyone who receives high scores with the HSUS lobbyists is certainly no friend of the North American Conservation Model.

Give this one a look and see if you don’t get the notion that HSUS, like some politicians, is definitely flying under a false flag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qk5rjSJYeKg

At first glance, there seems to be little connection between the principles of fair chase hunting and the philosophies of competitive sports. But at a time when the very act of hunting and wildlife management is in the crosshairs on the international stage, we may be well served to take some inspiration from one of sports’ most familiar adages.

“The best defense is a good offense” means, of course, that the most effective way to defend your interests is to keep your opponents on their heels via a strong and consistent offense. In this age of social media and instant outrage, the primary enemies of fair chase and science-based wildlife management are twofold: “hunters” who ignore fair chase ethics and the anti-hunting groups who use their transgressions as public-relation weapons.

When hunting and wildlife management come under fire over moral objections, the natural response has been to assume a defensive posture. To date, fair chase and science-based wildlife management are the only responses that have consistently shielded the act of hunting from such attacks, and the Boone and Crockett Club sits on the vanguard of the fair chase counterpoint.

While it’s comforting to know that fair chase and management will always be there as a shield, we believe it can also be used as a spear. We know, as you do, that fair chase hunting and science-based wildlife management are not just acceptable practices in a society that seems determined to forget its place in the food chain—they are necessary ones. But those who oppose hunting will not learn this on their own, and neither will those who ignore fair chase ethics yet still call what they do “hunting.” It is up to the Club and fair chase hunters like you, to stand up for what is right and be on the forefront of spreading the message of fair chase.

As a primary architect of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, the Boone and Crockett Club is uniquely positioned to lead the charge against those who would strip us of our hunting heritage.
By contributing to the Boone and Crockett Club, you play a crucial role in the task of enlightening those who need it most and setting the standard for fair chase hunting and wildlife management in North America. Please help us teach them.