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Old 01-13-2002 | 02:04 PM
  #22  
Tim Buma
Fork Horn
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 335
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From: Taranaki, New Zealand
Default RE: ranch hunts

I have never felt comfortable with the concept of "Penned Game", and have never hunted other than fair chase. However I have taken out hunters on short time frame, that have needs for a certain type of trophy and are willing to pay.
And they go home with a great "Wall-Hanger", and maybe some sort of story to go with it!! Often trophies that I would only dream about taking by "Fair Chase"
The game ranch industry is big business down here, employs a lot of good people, and has opened an economic land use, for land that would otherwise be not much good for anything else. So I see it as a positive.
However the result is that you have two teirs of "Trophies" the big high-scoring even/perfect trophies, that have been purpose bred for the industry and the "Wild" fair chase trophy, that will never compete in score, or any other parameter. (Unless someone is incredibly lucky.)
Only a discerning hunter will distinguish the difference.
Personally I will never a berate a trophy on size, score, looks etc.
As every "Trophy" carries the hunters individual experience in obtaining it.
I think we will all have an ugly old head or tanned hide, that wouldn't rate a mention in any record book, but to us represents an awesome day in the hills, or a huge test of endurance, or maybe just the day we got lucky.
Still those ranchs fill a niche, and some do it very well.

SOUTHERN MAN.
"GO HARD OR STAY HOME"
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