Trophy Hunting
TANNER VON RUDEN
Types of Trophy Game
Many species of animals fit under the title trophy game. Some common in North America include mule and other breeds of deer, caribou, pronghorn antelope, elk, a variety of bear, as well as sheep. These animals roam across North America. With each territory brings a different type of game. Along with the territory hunters will find different ways to hunt the animals.
Mule Deer
Mule Deer roam throughout the western United States, including desert areas with enough vegetation (Sonora Desert Museum 4).
Caribou
Caribou live in northern Washington and Idaho. They also live in British Columbia Canada (Defenders of Wildlife 6).
Pronghorn Antelope
Pronghorn Antelope live most abundantly in the plains of Wyoming and Montana (Mason 2).
Preparing for the Hunt
Setting up the Hunt
Several forms of hunting can be used when hunting trophy game. Guided hunts are common for people hunting mainly for size and sport (Randy Von Ruden et. al.). This type of hunting can cost thousands of dollars. Selection Hunting, another expensive form of hunting used on game farms. Selection Hunting works by paying the game farm owner to shoot a certain animal on the farm. A third style of hunting, "camping" at a location near the location of hunting and hunting the animals during certain times of the day. When trophy hunting these methods prove commonly effective. (Randy Von Ruden et. al.).
Planning and Patience
Planning
Two of the biggest needs for any trophy game are patience and having a plan. According to Elk-Hunting-Tips.net "Spending the time and effort to find elk can be challenging without a realistic plan" (5). Planning differently depends on the type of hunting. Trail cams scout in forested areas for game that pass the area you placed your camera. Another method called, self-scouting, takes many years where you view a herd of animals to see patterns that they continuously do.PatiencePatience is equally important to having a plan. According to Doug Howlett "Perhaps the biggest skill a would-be trophy mule deer hunter needs is the ability to be patient as he works to build preference points for hunting some of the most recognized big buck hotspots in the West" (12). This means that if trophy animals do not come to the hunting zone right away, waiting hours to even days in the season can change the fact if the hunter bags animal or not.
The Hunt Begins
Now that the hunt has started for a trophy, a spot to wait for the animal must be found. The scouting tracks a trophy to a certain area at certain times. This will allow windows of opportunity. Hunting many stands or hunting at different times are two options open to trophy hunters. Some hunters will hunt a stand, that trafficked the trophy, for two hours; they then move to another stand that trafficked the same trophy. One elk hunter from Elk-Hunting-Tips.net claims he hunted half a day for a trophy, and worked that afternoon because they wanted to make conditions better (7). This is the second option hunting a stand at a certain time leaving to take a break, or go to work for example, and then coming back either later that day, or the next day.
Enjoying It
A tip from interviewed big game hunters says "that whether a trophy is killed on the hunt or not, have a good time in the outdoors" (Randy Von Ruden et. al.). These hunters directed this towards unguided hunters and hunters just hunting property they are allowed. Many of the hunters said it took years of hunting to finally get their trophies. Keeping your patience and perseverance up are always helpful. With a well scouted trophy the hunt is more likely to succeed, but not guaranteed.
Works Cited
- Animal Fact Sheet: Mule Deer." Www.desertmuseum.org. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2008. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/oz/long-fact-sheets/Mule%20Deer.php>.
- Howlett, Doug. "Best Mule Deer Hunting: Where and How." American Hunter. NRA, 6 Oct. 2011. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. www.americanhunter.org./articles/best-mule-deer-hunting/
- Mason, Jim "Basic Facts About Woodland Caribou." Woodland Caribou. Defenders of Wildlife, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. http://www.defenders.org/woodland-caribou/basic-facts.
- N.d. Photograph. Find Me a Hunt. Web. 17 Oct. 2012 <http://www.findmeahunt.com/blog/2011/01/>.
- N.d. Photograph. Man in a Hurry. Man-in-a-hurry.com. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://www.man-in-a-hurry.com/big-game-hunting.html>.
- N.d. Photograph. MountainMammals. Nybirds.net, 19 Oct. 2005. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. <http://nybirds.net/images/Pronghorn%20Antelope%20reduced.jpg>.
- "Practical Elk Hunting Tips for Regular Hunters."ElkHuntingTips.Net. Elk-Hunting-Tips.net, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. http://www.elk-hunting-tips.net/.
- "Pronghorn." Pronghorn. Great Plains Nature Center, n.d. Web. 17 Oct. 2012. http://www.gpnc.org/pronghor.htm.
- Von Ruden, Randall R. et. al. "How Do You Trophy Hunt?" Personal interview. 14 Oct. 2012.