doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How to Dispose of Hunting Trophies

The first thought I had would that it would be difficult to properly pack and ship some of the trophies, and there would be the risk of buyers remorse for all sorts of bogus reasons and the whole mess returned in tatters. I'd think consider the auction house route. Maybe, if he and his wife agree, donate them to a museum or other wildlife display in his or the family name, if they arrange for pick up. Hope your buddy does well and can focus on getting better.

Disposition is always a problem.
Mounts don't mean the same thing to a buyer as the shooter.

The rare mounts should go to auction, but the pedestrian ones won't bring much, so it's best to take what you can get and get rid of them.

I said eBay because I was shooting with a fellow that had a huge collection stolen, and then sold, on Ebay.

Once one of his sheep was id'd, they found most of them, which had been purchased by people decorating restaurants and lodge style homes.

not sure about the US market place - but as an aside, I would be careful with places like ebay - too many 'anti's' around, I suppose.

there must be a number of genuine auction? or other sales places for that sort of thing in the US?
Anyone on this forum should be familiar with at least someone who knows where trophies like these sell?

Unfortunately one has to be so careful these days with what I would describe as normal trophies.
We seem to be 'criminalized' by the liberal press for keeping a trophy of an animal...
Well, I suppose they don't keep all the heads of the - what is it - 2 million? cows slaughtered every day for our nourishment?


There is a very funny - and true - saying, which I cannot remember at the moment - something about socialism and anything being good, as long as people don't enjoy it! - which comes to mind.
(if and when I remember it, I shall edit it in here)

This also reminds me of my own story when leaving Kenya
after 6 years in 1975 -

I had been living, working & hunting in Kenya for all that time.

I had paid for a licence and shot my first Cape Buffalo - (being the 'deadliest' animal in Africa, I wanted one! (I was young!)
(I was told at the time that the 'licence' included the export permit for an 'expat')

Having paid my fee & the not inconsiderable cost of preparing the head & crating it for airfreight, I was told at the airport that I could not export the trophy a I did not have 'this or that permit' - can't remember exactly now.
Not sure whether it was a ploy by the airport official who might have been looking for a 'bung' or whatever - the short of the story is that I had to leave the head behind, as I was booked on the flight and didn't have time to argue the case later.
(but at least I had got a few other trophies out earlier)

So, there we are.
Uhuru my ass!
(and I speak as the official Kenya Center Fire Pistol Champion (UIT) 1975! (edit: I also had won a few gold medals for Kenya at the 1975 Imperial Meeting at Bisley - but he probably didn't know that - or, if he did, he couldn't have cared less...) hehe))

Gunter
NRA Life 1974

Well, the great news is my buddy survived the procedure with no complications and looks good for more years of shooting and hunting. Thank the good Lord!!!

Nonetheless, I'm archiving these suggestions so I have them available if I am ever actually called upon to perform the disposal.

My thanks to all of you for your taking the time to help out.

There is an auction house in Macon Missouri who often specializes in exotic animals. I have seen their auctions with lots of taxidermy work, too. I have no real personal experience with them.

Redding Auction in Gettysburg is a short walk from your home. They charge a low commission and no buyer's premium. Yes, they sell trophies. That would be the only choice for someone in your area.

Here's an auction selling a bunch of taxidermy mounts.

https://www.proxibid.com/Alderfer-Auctio...-catalog/163130

Go to your local BBQ joint, Roadhouse, or other restaurant and trade them for dinner for your family. They usually have to pay for what they hang there, and many places have them in Texas.