Trophy or table? what’s your take?

[Stryka]

I’ve hunted with guys who chase antler inches and others who just want a full freezer. I’m somewhere in the middle, I’ll admire a good rack, but nothing beats grilling what I brought home. For me, the memories matter more than measurements. How about you...meat, mount, or both?

 

[Johnie]

Trophy hunting and meat harvesting are two sides of the same coin, each with merit. While a magnificent mount is a lasting tribute to the hunt, I lean toward table as nothing beats the connection of providing sustenance from the wild.

 

[Billinthedesert]

Yup, meat for the table here, too.

 

[Derrick]

It's great to see a shared respect for the harvest! I definitely land on the side of Table. There's a satisfaction in filling the freezer that a measurement can't replicate. While I appreciate the beauty of a big rack, the real trophy is the successful effort and the meals shared with family and friends. The memories are certainly the best part, regardless of the size.

 

[Stryka]

Trophy hunting and meat harvesting are two sides of the same coin, each with merit. While a magnificent mount is a lasting tribute to the hunt, I lean toward table as nothing beats the connection of providing sustenance from the wild.

Well said, that connection to the food you worked for really hits different. I’m with you, a nice mount’s cool but the real reward’s in those meals and memories

 

[Stryka]

It's great to see a shared respect for the harvest! I definitely land on the side of Table. There's a satisfaction in filling the freezer that a measurement can't replicate. While I appreciate the beauty of a big rack, the real trophy is the successful effort and the meals shared with family and friends. The memories are certainly the best part, regardless of the size.

Yeah, sharing those meals with family and friends makes it all worthwhile. The hunt’s memories and the good food after are what really stick, not the tape measure numbers

 

[NM Buzz]

Nothing wrong with either if you are not wasting the harvest.
You want a nasty jerkified bull go for it. I have in the past and have the racks. But these days, a trophy to me is my family and friends begging me for smoked elk jerky and summer sausage and snack sticks and burger and back strap etc.. Thanking me for my hunting and culinary abilities. I find both equally satisfying.

 

[Billinthedesert]

Buzz, you are blessed to have the facilities to process and hang elk quarters— and the EpiPens and experience to make summer sausage and meat sticks. I would sure try if I had a cooler and smokehouse. I prefer elk to deer venison by a large margin and don’t apply for deer tags anymore. Will apply for antler less elk and antelope shortly/- javelina, too. I’ve heard those little toots can be edible if properly field dressed and skinned.

 

[Billinthedesert]

Experience, not EpiPens!

 

[Alan]

Interesting take from everyone. I'm mostly in the "both if it happens" camp. A mature trophy animal is always exciting but filling the freezer is what makes a hunt feel complete to me.