Daistallia 2104 wrote:Flameswroth wrote:I didn't mean to assert that a trophy elk that was purchased from a farm and point-blanked was in any way as valid as a trophy elk taken in the wild. Far from it. In fact, it was not even my intention to comment on the hunters that utilize the farms at all, though I suppose it was inevitable. Rather, I was merely detailing how being a trophy elk rancher is not inherently douchebag-y. They are simply exploiting a demand in the market, and doing so in a comparatively humane and appropriate way, as far as cattle go. Besides, I imagine they make a bit of cash off the shed antlers as well for those who'd rather not hunt them, but that's just speculation on my part.
Regardless of it's legal status, it remains unethical.Flameswroth wrote:Daistallia 2104 wrote:It is interesting to me that it is outlawed in some states. I don't think butchering cows (cow cows, not cow elk ) is illegal in any state (yet), and the elk has a far more sporting chance than they do. Maybe it's just butthurt government officials who can't afford the trophy elk being all jealous and not wanting those elk to count .
Apples and oranges.Flameswroth wrote:Daistallia 2104 wrote:By the by, does anyone know if domesticated elk, grown on an elk ranch, can even qualify for state records? Or do they have to be native? I should know this, my family being the sport hunters they are but alas it has been some time
Boone and Crockett eligibility rules state:For the purpose of entry into the Boone and Crockett Club’s® records, North American big game harvested by the use of the following methods or under the following conditions are ineligible:
I. Spotting or herding game from the air, followed by landing in its vicinity for the purpose of pursuit and shooting;
II. Herding or chasing with the aid of any motorized equipment;
III. Use of electronic communication devices to guide hunters to game, artificial lighting, electronic light intensifying devices (night vision optics), sights with built-in electronic range-finding capabilities, thermal imaging equipment, electronic game calls or cameras/timers/motion tracking devices that transmit images and other information to the hunter;
IV. Confined by artificial barriers, including escape-proof fenced enclosures;
V. Transplanted for the purpose of commercial shooting;
VI. By the use of traps or pharmaceuticals;
VII. While swimming, helpless in deep snow, or helpless in any other natural or artificial medium;
VIII. On another hunter’s license;
IX. Not in full compliance with the game laws or regulations of the federal government or of any state, province, territory, or tribal council on reservations or tribal lands;
http://www.boone-crockett.org/huntingEt ... tingEthics
But, in my experience, most folks who want a big trophy want something to show off and make up for something inadequatre intheir own lives, and a trophy hanging on the wall does that better than a name in the record books.
In my experience, trophies are about memories of the hunt. I have a pretty nice one in my living room that was killed in a totally open ranch.