Well, Camper, I have to call you on the trophy hunting vs. food argument. There is essentially no difference between trophy hunting and hunting for food, save the trophy itself. The meat is saved in both cases and utilized by someone. I could make a case for the trophy hunter saving more of the animal than the meat hunter since he/she saves the horns, etc.
The factory farms issue is one that you or I could argue...The reason food is so affordable is probably more attributable to factory farms than anything else I could point to. It's a fact that generally small, humane raisers can't compete with factory. I don't like that personally but, well, it's the way it is...I can't say that factory farming or those involved in it PURPOSELY torture animals but that's another nuanced subject...
Nothing you could say, would wipe out my argument regarding moral superiority. People who don't understand hunting and take the position that they're morally superior because they don't hunt are just elevating themselves based on a skewed reality.
Your argument regarding reducing the human population, although delivered facetiously, has been floated. That's not an argument I brought up.
What this all comes down to is the fact that you think hunters enjoy killing animals. That's so far from reality that it's almost laughable to someone who knows hunting. The kill, although a necessary element of hunting, is, in reality, the least rewarding component of the experience. I don't know one hunter that enjoys the kill in itself (That would be material better dealt with in the arena of Psychiatry). They enjoy the success, yes. Nothing wrong with that...They enjoy the chase, the harvest of high quality protein,the idea of being self sufficient. They enjoy seeing nature in reality, not the "civilized" version of it. And, if they want to preserve that memory via a "trophy..." Nothing wrong with that either.
So nothing you've said diminishes me or any other hunter in any way...Not mixing apples and oranges...Just being logical and stating facts...

Wow, your last post is so full of fail. You paint a broad brush and make assumptions not in evidence. My husband hunts. Our freezer is full of deer and elk. We are both avid fishers. Our freezer is also full of halibut, salmon, snapper, and trout. We are also avid clam diggers and love our little stash of those yummies in our freezer. The only thing we don't do is bird hunting as we have no interest in eating it although my husband has brought home a very occasional grouse. We process ourselves and I have had many game hung in my garage to cure before butchering. Although I typically don't get involved until the final cuts and wrapping. So we don't even depend on a butcher for most of the "dirty work". I totally understand the difference between responsible hunting for food and irresponsible hunting for trophy. More than once, my husband has come across large game that has been left to rot while only the rack, we can only assume it was a good one, was taken. I don't see anyway that you can reconcile responsible hunting for food needs with trophy hunting species that don't typically provide food for the average person or the waste of good meat by lazy trophy hunters.

Polar bear hunts, the various species trophy hunted in Africa and various ranches in the US are not responsible and a totally different situation. This is a business and it makes no sense to be hunting Polar Bears which, as a species, are endangered. And, in Africa, most animals are penned and released for the "pleasure" of the chase and the hunt. This is not the same level playing field as a hunter doing the tracking in the wild but, rather, set up with all odds on the side of the hunter for an easy kill and photo opp. And let's not forget the disgusting businesses that proliferate in some parts of the US like V-Bharre Ranch "Hunting Texas Trophies". To compare it to real hunting is a farce. I guess if someone considers glamping the same as a true backpacking experience, then one would consider these trophy hunting activities to be the same as real hunting but they are deluding themselves. It's nothing but the lazy ass way to feel like a big shot. I'm not impressed.

I would love this posting to disappear (again) - it was originally posted five months ago. The question around trophics quite naturally I guess opened a strong debate around ethics, lifestyle, etc....let's enjoy Houzz and leave such senstive topics for other forums.

This is not particularly for me, but it was done in a tasteful way. If its the client's personality to display their personal achievements then go for it!

I'm waiting for some clever creative artist to sculpt a "Trophy Wife" to hang in this type of setting...

Or an exact replica of an ex wife or husband!!! Kat, you need to get that idea rolling! That's your path to financial independence!!!

Funky camper...What you say regarding your use of game, I commend. You're doin' it right...The comments regarding African hunting couldn't be further off base. Animals are penned there in a strict sense of the word. I mean if you could call a 60,000 acre pen a pen...These animals are born there and live there as wild animals. There are predators aside from humans so they develop the same keen senses as wild animals living completely free. The "pens" are as any natural place, wild with brush, hills, tress, etc. It's not like a cow pasture. Actually the "pens" are more to keep poachers out than animals in. Most of the animals enclosed can jump the fences or burrow under. I've been there and I've seen it so I'm not talking about something from a second hand perspective.

AND, to say that "trophy" hunters waste the flesh of those animals is so ludicrous that it almost doesn't warrant a reply...BUT I will. It is illegal to waste game meat. Illegal..."Trophy" hunting doesn't preclude the useage of meat and I've never heard of an ethical hunter that wastes meat just to get horns...I know it happens. I know people break laws. I know people are immoral at times. All this is true but to paint every or for that matter, most, hunters, or trophy hunters with that brush is just inaccurate and dishonest. A minority of people do all sorts of things wrong but that doesn't give license to claim that all or most people do wrong...Let's try to be honest here...
Regarding hunting "endangered" species...These hunts are strictly regulated and the populations are studied to determine if they can be hunted without negative consequences to population.
I get so weary of people miming what other people say, with no thought to actual truth...I know it's fashionable to be against hunters and hunting, but lets stick to facts...

As for V-Bharre...I don't know that operation personally but I can tell you that these ranches hold more exotic species than some of the animals "home" countries. The Blackbuck antelope, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Axis Deer, Pierre Davids Deer and the Nilgia Antelope are more abundant on exotic ranches in Fla. and Texas than in their natural habitat and would be in danger of extinction in a lot of their home range if not for these ranches...That's because there is a value placed on them by hunters. Yes, those ranches are a commercial operation. They generally try to mimic a wild free range experience. They can be somewhat difficult hunts. Sometimes they can be easy...Are they a "true" hunting experience, just like hunting truly wild creatures? Well, no, but they aren't the slam dunk that you portray. AND, just because someone participates doesn't indict him as a "lazy ass big shot..." People have all sorts of reasons to participate in that sort of hunt. I wouldn't apologize to you or anyone else for participating...
Do you have the same visceral reaction to a cattle ranch where animals are raised for consumption? I'd guess not. They're really not that much different in the end, aside from the hunter has to put in effort to harvest the animal. I could argue that the method of harvest is much less sure and inevitable with exotics than cattle...
So, what I think it comes down to is that a hunter would get pleasure from certain aspects of that experience...We could argue that one until all of us took a last breath...
So, before you condemn, think about the good these operations do to preserve species...There's usually more than meets the eye...

Very interesting discussion.. I've never followed any conversation on Houzz as long as this.

It's not for me.

One of my brothers is a world traveler and hunter. He truly needs a Trophy Room because he has his dead animals scattered literally throughout his home.

Another brother has his trophies in his self-title 'Love Me' room. It's a shrine to him and his accomplishments in various arenas, e.g. sports, civic, educational, professional, etc. It contains photos of him with governors and presidents as well as certificates, awards and actual trophies, etc.

I love both brothers but I don't do trophies, dead animals or feel the need to brag about my limited successes.

@funkycamper
My son works in the Arctic, and takes part in Polar Bear hunts with the local Inuit hunters. They are strictly controlled and I can assure you that EVERY ounce of the bear is used for something. Don't condemn something you know nothing about. No one without native hunting rights can take part in hunting Polar Bears.

Hey Grainfarmer...What you posted is true for the majority of polar bear populations. Canada DOES allow non native hunters to harvest polar bears (in a limited and highly controlled way as you say) and native communities can sell their permits to non native hunters creating a windfall income to support themselves. They also derive income from guiding these non native hunters. It's all HIGHLY regulated to protect populations. As a side note, U.S, hunters are NOT allowed to import polar bear trophies...Not a criticism but more a clarification because for the most part what you said is true...

When did that law go into effect? I have seen numerous stuffed polar bears here in the lower 48.

@prior1
Yes that's true, as my son uses his girlfriends hunting rights when he goes out. To my knowledge no Polar Bear hunting is allowed unless it's within the control of the native population, and like you pointed out, it's strictly controlled.

Funkycamper...1973, after an international agreement was reached.

That could well be true Grainfarmer...I've never seen polar bear hunting done without natives. In Fla. you can hunt alligators using someone elses' permit as long as they're present. I'm guessing it's something along those lines...

No. Just no.
I used to know a man who was an avid hunter, when I lived in Asia.
He had two elephants' feet stools in his study, and a stuffed tiger stared at me in the dining room. I couldn't even swallow, Tigers are my spirit animal and I wanted to cry.
No.

This thread prompted me to do some research. While polar bear trophies can't be brought into the US due to having threatened specie status under the Endangered Species Act, other countries allow them to be brought home by trophy hunters who have been known to purchase permits from native permit holders.

Whether legal or not, whether used as food or not, I put trophies in the same category as someone who plasters their own home with pictures of themselves, their awards, and such. For braggarts only and quite distasteful.

I think that prior1 already pointed out that the natives could sell their permits. This doesn't increase the number of bears killed, but it brings income to communities that are in need. I think my son mentioned that there were only 8 polar bear permits issued in the Kivalik area per year. If they sell the bearskins to outsiders for extra money it doesn't make the purchasers bad people.

grainfarmer, I agree on all your points but the last one. On that I stand by my previous statement "for braggarts only and quite distasteful". All, imho, of course. YMMV.

I'm not sure, I think a big polar bear rug might look nice in someone's family room or den. To me it's no different than a sheepskin or a good quality leather coat. I guess everyone has different tastes when it comes to furnishings. Thanks for the dialogue.

Well, Funkycamper...The braggart issue is YOUR issue. You certainly don't know me...You don't know any of my friends. Sure there are people who try to elevate themselves by having a sports car or a trophy wife, maybe a nice house. Maybe nice clothes...I could, off the cuff, indite everyone who owns a BMW. I might be so far off base as to be in another universe...With me,and the majority of hunters I know, you're in another universe. Are we grateful to have had the opportunity to harvest an exceptional animal? Yep...Does the trophy elicit fond memories...Yeah, it does...If you read that as boastful, well, like I said, that's your issue...I have to say this...I don't like people labeling me when they don't know me...
I had a girlfriend that had a thought process very similar to the one you "stand by..." regarding hunting and hunters. She hated all of us. She would shout out of her car window at hunters she would see on the side of the road (out of character for her to be so classless)... We knew each other for about four months when she told me that she understood my passion and that I had changed her heart...You see, she had prejudged me and all hunters. She could see by my conduct that I honored these animals in a way she didn't, until then, understand...
I know what I say won't change your or anyone elses' mind who is bent on a thought process and won't listen to reason or any thought process counter to his/hers...I can call you on misstatement of fact...I can lay out the truth...I can tell you my motivations...Other than that, I leave you to your prejudices...

@priori - You haven't read all my posts have you? My husband hunts. We both fish. I don't hate hunters or fishers. I just dislike trophy displays. And I did mention all kinds in other posts (metal trophies, certificates, etc.) unless for professional purposes.

@grainfarmer - I don't like sheepskin or leather items either. I do make the exception with shoes only because decent non-leather shoes are hard to find that don't make your feet sweat horribly. However, better options are increasingly available and I do look for those whenever possible.

I understand using animals for hides, meat, etc. I just think that we should feel sad that we have to do it, not celebrate it. I think maybe when the hunters die we should have their heads made into trophies and displayed along with all the animal heads they display.

funkycamper
I don't understand why you don't like leather goods or sheepskin. These animals are used for food, are you saying we shouldn't make use of everything, or are you saying we should be vegetarians?

I have no problem with using all of an animal.
What I find disgusting, is the destruction of life, for a trophy. That is sick.
Traditionally, more primitive cultures hunted, honored the animals they hunted as an adversary, and wasted nothing.
Trophies from endangered or threatened animals are deplorable, however.
I sometimes wish US students had to take a home ec course which included a week at an abattoir, to learn where the food came from...what was involved in bringing it to market.
I don't mind "hunting". I myself eat meat and fish. But I think we should respect what we hunt, and show self-restraint

my grandfather had one and it was my favourite room in the house (and that house had some very nice rooms) every trophy has a story. when I was a child I was absolutely fascinated with that room.

I'd like to point out to people that you obviously eat the meat in addition to making the trophy. people often get so uppity about this topic, but how many cows, chickens, and pigs do you eat in a year? don't you think it's immoral to support an industry that keeps animals in wretched conditions? have you even ever seen a factory farm before? do you think these are things you should address before trying to get on some sort of moral high ground about hunting?

@grainfarmer - I simply don't care for anything sheepskin and I think leather coats, furniture and car seats are extremely uncomfortable. It makes sense to utilize the entire animal if you're going to kill it but that doesn't mean I have to buy things I don't care for. And I do think meat consumption is too big of a portion of the average diet in America so, if people lessened consumption, there would be less to make leather, etc. from. Not a bad thing, imho.

@jenny - I do think factory farming is immoral and very seldom buy anything that was raised on a factory farm. We also don't eat out a lot when we would be likely to be served those types of items. We typically only eat what we hunt or catch ourselves or have purchased from local farmers that do free-range, grass-fed beef and poultry with careful, more humane slaughter techniques than done on factory farms. I try to shop responsibly. We have cut back meat consumption so that it's more of a condiment for most meals instead of a main course. We are also limiting dairy and doing more substitutions with non-dairy items like almond milk. We do eat several meals weekly that are vegan and even more that are vegetarian. It hasn't been an easy transition for us and we're working on re-training our taste-buds. My husband is having a more difficult time with that than I am. However, I am having a difficult time learning new cooking techniques and building my vegetarian/vegan recipe repertoire. But we think it's important for both our own health and that of the planet so we keep plugging away at it.

Well, yes Funkycamper, I have read your previous posts. I know you say you hunt. My reference about hating hunters wasn't directed at you in particular. I said it was fashionable to hate hunters. I'm sure there are plenty that hate you because you do...I might add, you don't get the moral high ground for trying to be Vegan either. There are costs associated with farming that are paid by wildlife...
Lila...So we should feel "sad'/guilty for harvesting an animal? WHAT??? You know the reason you're here, historically, is because someone hunted. Should we all feel "sad" about that. This political correctness just drives me wild...There is life. There is death. We all participate in one fashion or another. Feel guilt if it makes you feel more comfortable. I'm going to continue hunting. I'll celebrate my successes. If it's a particularly memorable hunt or an exceptional specimen I'll have it mounted and I'll eat the meat from it...I won't feel guilty or apologize to you or anyone else.
Jenny..."I'd like to point out to people that you obviously eat the meat in addition to making the trophy." Thanks...That's something that seems to be lost on some/many...I think I may be in love with you... :^)

@funkycamper
I completely understand personal tastes and if you don't like natural leathers for whatever reason that's fine as long as you don't think it's unethical to use them then I'm okay with it.

I'm also always a little puzzled at the term factory farm. What is that exactly ?Most farming in Canada is done by family owned farms. The term factory farm has been coined by animal rights groups to demonize farming in general.

Yes, prior1, everything people do impacts the world and can harm animals, even vegetable farming. But to compare the impacts of factory farming for animal products and the impacts of vegetable farming is laughable. There is no contest. See links. A websearch will yield thousands more. There are also investigative documentaries, books, magazine articles, news reports, reports by various government entities and other organizations (some peer reviewed), doctoral thesis, and more documenting these facts.

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/factsheet/food-safety-consequences-of-factory-farms/

https://awionline.org/content/inhumane-practices-factory-farms#human-health-impacts-factory-farming

http://www.factoryfarmmap.org/problems/

Grainfarmer, see above links. If Canada doesn't have these, that's great. Most animal products consumed in the US come from factory farms. That's why I seek out local ranches with compassionate practices. It costs us more but I just really don't want to be part of such an ugly food production process. And I do believe we'd all be better off with less animal consumption which would result in less hides to use for decorative and apparel. There are better options.

As a hiker, I do wear wool and items with down. I research the companies I purchase these from to ensure that they practice compassionate shearing. I'm less comfortable with the process and means by which down is collected, even though I purchase from companies with the most responsible practices I can find. I keep hoping that polyester fill will be developed to insulate as well as down without having to be bulkier and heavier. Of course, that has other impacts. It's all in finding a balance you can live with, I guess.

We have many friends that have a trophy room. But one thing, less is more. Unless you have a large space. If you like it, then do it! Not everyone hunts.

Funkycamper...I don't recall comparing "factory farming" with vegetable gardening. I think what I said was that even farming to produce vegetables is not without cost to wildlife...I won't even get into a discussion about cow flatulence being harmful to the environment or any other such nonsense, if that's where this is going. My comment was directed toward animals killed by plowing/harvesting/poisoning...AND, you dictating to me what I should eat and in what amounts isn't going to fly...I have no animosity toward you if you want to "save the whales." Go for it. I just get weary of people preaching veganism/vegitarianism/racism/sexism/atheism/collectivism/humanism/pluralism/volunteerism and all the other isms that I should be adhering to/worshiping...My way of doing things is no less viable than yours and you certainly can't claim moral superiority because you choose to be vegan...It's not a badge of honor. It's a decision you've made as to how you want to live your life...Just like me...

I'm proud to say I have some beautiful hides on my couches. Tanned, sheared and unsheared, dyed and undyed.

That does not mean I am boastful that the animals were killed. I am proud to have used as much as I could manage of the animal.

I like antlers but not whole heads.

mrsstem many hunters today see the game as an adversary to be treated with respect and have great disdain for poachers. oftentimes the way an animal, such as an elephant is killed is much more painful and prolonged when done by some native tribes, than when we "violent" westerners do it. the natives, especially the mbuti in the ituri forest ( no not making that up) will sneak up to an elephant and stab it with a short spear, they let the animal run and tire itself out, they the track it down and finish it it next day, then they cut off the tail, as the trophy, and while it is not displayed, even natives have a trophy. we westerners use a "dangerous" high powered rifle to safely hunt the elephant at a distance. when an elephant is killed, the body will be used by villagers in its entirety, because villagers will almost always hear of an elephant hunt through some means. this "evil" elephant hunt will provide villagers with food for weeks, that they would not have been able to obtain otherwise because of their issues with poverty. what you are thinking if is the poachers killing the elephants for their ivory which is banned on the international markets. but even then the rangers tasked with hunting down the poachers have a difficult time because, the villagers, will butcher the body and take it back home. but elephant hunting is not feasible for the average hunter, because at $31,000 for an elephant hunt, however many proceeds go to fund conservation efforts which have been quite effective. there are around 75,000 elephants in Zimbabwe alone, i believe. that is how the natives do.

if we want to worry about losing something we should worry about the loss of indigenous cultures around the world. the rate of culture loss is incredible, and while we should worry about the loss of animal biodiversity the loss of culture i think is a more pressing matter. now i know this is about trophy rooms but this thread has just turned into hunt-no hunt-animal extinction thread instead of discussing the taste of having a trophy room. if we're going to discuss loss and inhunanity of men, i should point out that a few years ago the us gov. spent 2 million dollars to preserve a woodpecker species located in Florida . now extrapolate those costs to the rest of the world. it'll pretty quickly. the cost to preserve all the remaining cultures of the world is 700 million dollars. now do really think that saving the animals is still more important than saving your fellow men from their own version of extinction. google search the wade davis TED talk and you will see why this is more important.

it should probably go without saying by now i love trophy rooms, i think that if done correctly they can be a room with a classic, tasteful experience.

First, I don't think that one's position on hunting can be aligned with one's political party. Where I am, this room might be equally loved or reviled by members of either party. It is political, in the big sense, not the party sense. Next, if I am being honest, the room is lovely. In my house? Not only no, but $%## no! I'm not a big animal rights person (unless the animal is man), but I just would not feel comfortable. Of course, take my position with a grain of salt because I also don't want live animals in my house. Except fish. And even they got to be too much work, so I currently do not have any.

I suppose they are good if you have a lot of trophies, like Academy awards, Tony awards, or Emmy Awards. Or you have a lot of Record Album awards and that sort of thing it would be okay.

I think this decor is informative in historic houses that reflect times when everyone hunted, and magnificent animals -- or their heads, at least -- were preserved as exceptional specimens. It was certainly an accepted way of life in pioneer days. I personally wouldn't want these trophies in my house, and the fact that even endangered animals are still hunted I find appalling.

People still hunt...Lots of them. It's not something that's relegated to the history bin. And PLEASE, PLEASE, check your facts. Endangered animals are NOT still hunted! Truth be known, hunters and hunter funding have brought back a number of species from the brink of extinction. Everyone TALKS saving populations...Hunters actually DO it...I get s-o-o-o-o weary of misinformation...

Of course people still hunt. And in this country at least one can't LEGALLY hunt endangered animals; that doesn't mean it isn't done. I've nothing against those who hunt deer and other critters whose natural enemies have been eliminated; those animals would starve by the thousands if their numbers weren't controlled by hunting. But we've all read about the trophy hunters who pay big bucks for the privilege of shooting wild animals whose numbers are already drastically low; the fact that the license fee they pay may help other animals doesn't make that acceptable to most people.

I suppose you're talking about rhino...If that's the case, yes, they do allow LIMITED hunting of rhino. The proceeds are plowed back into restoration of the species. They don't endanger populations by doing this. It's a management tool to build populations.
If you're talking about elephant, in some areas elephant are over populated...I'm not aware of any place that is not ungoverned or war torn that allows unregulated harvest of animals.
And yes, there are criminals that will do anything for $, but that's an entirely different discussion...

Whether the animals were culled, killed for "sport", slaughtered for food or died a natural death, my questions are: Is it in good taste, is it humane, is it necessary, does it evoke happy comfortable memories to display them in this manner? We eat meat, sell leather upholstered furniture and wear leather shoes. I am not entirely happy about this but it is not quite the same thing, is it?

Zzzzzzzzz Boring

RIP Cecil

I find them creepy- like Norman Bates style of interior decorating

We live near a hunt camp. The owner goes to exotic animal sales in Ohio. Purchases the animal his "hunter" clients want to kill. Brings them back to his fenced preserve and releases them. Clients come up to camp and go "hunting". The last time I spoke to him it was a pair of farm raised American Buffalo. "Hunters" pay big money for exotics. They are busy people who will pay big money for guaranteed success (?) in a convenient weekend time frame. It's a business that panders to selfish people with no conscience or integrity. But not illegal. No trophy taken like this would grace my home.

We allow hunters to hunt our property for deer and turkey. They are true hunters. Serious sportsmen. They will spend an entire day waiting for the right animal. Use the meat for their families. It is a service to us as deer are overpopulating the area. They destroy crops and trees. They litter the road sides. Deer have become beautiful rats.

I am not fond of animal mounts in a home. But an animal hunted and killed fairly on its home turf would be acceptable.