One of the Hunting Industry’s Most Contentious Words: 'Trophy'

Within the hunting industry, the word ‘trophy’ seems to have more legs than a herd of migrating elk. Articles and conversations happen on a regular basis with authors providing opinions, facts, stories, and examples to help prove their point either for or against the use of the word.

Aside from the term “trophy wife” (or “trophy husband” for that matter), no one else seems to have an issue with the word ‘trophy’. In fact, just about everyone will agree that getting a trophy is pretty dang awesome. Whether it be a trophy gained from a sport, activity, contest, or during your work career, if someone gets a trophy, they tend to be happier than a butcher’s dog at closing time.

So why is ‘trophy’ such a divisive word when it comes to hunting and the outdoors? It may have been a bit of an issue prior, but it is clear that, for the past seven years, the vast majority of media surrounding ‘trophy hunting’ can be tracked back to a, now infamous, lion that was arrowed by an American hunter during the summer of 2015.

Giving credit where credit is due, anti-hunter organizations certainly deserve a trophy (pun intended) for how well they fanned the flames when the story of Cecil the Lion made the news. They went into high gear demonizing, not only the hunter that killed Cecil but just about everyone that ever hunted. They took full advantage of social media marketing and promoted hashtags such as #bantrophyhunting and #stoptrophyhunting. The images used and their definition of trophy hunters was more in line with illegal poaching but, with only one side of the story being told, the damage was done.

Even though the majority of the bad press focused on the killing of African game such as lions, elephants, and leopards, the overwhelmingly one-sided media onslaught made a difference. Recent industry research shows that the term ‘trophy hunting’ has a negative connotation among America’s general population, many of whom lump all of the hunting into one category.

It is understandable how words matter to those that have never hunted but, somewhat surprisingly, the word has caused rifts among hunters themselves. You don’t have to read too many articles penned by hunters on the topic to see how two sides have formed pertaining to the use of the term ‘trophy hunting’. Some hunters want to take the term back from the antis while others preach caution on using the term and don’t want to be labeled as a trophy hunter.

One positive from the continued discussion around trophy hunting is that a clear difference is being made between legal, regulated hunting and poaching. Even though there are a few backhanded compliments throughout it, this 7-minute video from Adam Ruins Everything identifies how trophy hunting is actually good for wildlife. With more than six million views, the video has had a far-reaching effect on an audience that could not be reached by hunting organizations.

No matter how you feel about the word, it will continue to be used inside the hunting industry. Several companies such as Trophy Taker and Texas Trophy Hunters Association have had the word in their namesake long before Cecil. Venture through Grizzly Smokeless tobacco’s Instagram account and you’ll find posts from hunters with their #GrizzlyTrophyShots.

As the debate around ‘trophy hunting’ will no doubt continue, The Hunting Wires’ Voice of Leadership Panel would like to know how our readers feel about the term. Please send your thoughts to [email protected]. Feel free to include links and examples that you find interesting and we’ll follow up in a future edition with your sentiments.

Jim Curcuruto is the Executive Director of Outdoor Stewards of Conservation Foundation (OSCF)

Republished from The Outdoor Wire.