Discussions

Okay, can someone help me to understand why some hunters seem to think that having a trophy (ie: the head of an animal that was shot) is so important? Really and truly, it baffles me on many levels.  
 
First of all, I am not some PETA lunatic who thinks that animals are only there to be viewed from afar. I understand the basic principles of hunting, and why hunting is necessary as a form of population control. If done properly, it will ensure an ecological balance.  
 
I also understand hunting as far as it being a source of food. Hey, who wouldn't want a freezer full of meat for the price of a few shotgun or rifle shells.  
 
I get the camaraderie angle - you hang out with other folks who have a similar interest. You are drinking together, shooting the sh*t about whatever. Totally get that.  
 
What I _don't_ understand is the trophy hunting angle, whether or not you shot the animal for food. You know that you shot it, so why does having it's head mounted on the wall matter? Also, why is it necessary to have pictures taken of you holding the animal that you just killed? Some of these pics are just plain weird, and some are disrespectful to that animal's spirit.  
 
Facing facts - you probably didn't best that deer or moose in a wrestling match. You didn't chase it down on foot, killing it with a knife, or better yet, with your bare hands. You shot it at a distance. Maybe with a muzzle loader. Maybe with a bow. Maybe with a high power rifle.  
 
And no, I'm not denying that it takes skill to successfully use firearms, or a bow. My hat's off to you if you can hit a target at hundreds of yards away with a rifle, If you can do that with a bow, get yourself on the Olympic team. :-)  
 
Some of you just out and out cheat. How can you call yourself a hunter if you bait animals? H*ll, that's about one step away from farming. Might as well go hunting at a petting zoo.  
 
And trail cameras? C'mon. That's just sad. At least try to give the animal a chance. Maybe make hunting a bit of a challenge. Reintroduce the sporting element into it.  
 
If you hunt, cool. Go hunt. But don't go thinking that you are awesome just because you got a set of antlers on your wall. It shouldn't be about that. It should be about feeding yourself and/or your family. It's about helping balance wildlife populations.  
 
Oh, and for all you wankers who hunt animals ONLY for the trophy... well, aren't you special? You killed an animal for absolutely NO good reason, other than to boost your ego. Congrats on that. Are you picking up on the sarcasm there? One can only hope.  
 
Okay, hunters, what's your take on this matter? I'd love to hear your reasoning.