The hunting "trophy"

A hunting trophy is an item prepared from the body of a game animal killed by a hunter and kept as a souvenir of the successful hunting or fishing expedition.

Often the heads or entire bodies are processed by a taxidermist, although sometimes other body parts such as teeth, tusks, or horns are used as the trophies. Hunting for the singular purpose of obtaining trophies is often considered improper today.

A big-game hunter is a person engaged in the sport of trophy hunting for large animals or game. The pursuit of the major objective might place the hunter at risk of personal harm. Potential big-game sought include, but are not limited to, bears, big cats, hippos, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, moose, and so forth.

In the 19th century southern and central European hunters often pursued game only for a trophy, usually the head or pelt of an animal, to be displayed as a sign of prowess. The rest of the animal was often wasted. In contrast, in relatively scarcely populated northern Europe, hunting has remained the tradition of the common people, and one reason for it remains as a means of acquiring meat, although the standard of living does not require this. In the Nordic countries, hunting for trophies was, and still is, frowned upon, but an impressive trophy is considered a bonus. This is perhaps the most common practice of modern hunters worldwide. Hunting in North America in the 19th century was done primarily as a way to supplement food supplies, although it is now undertaken mainly for sport. The safari method of hunting was a development of sport hunting that saw elaborate travel in Africa, India and other places in pursuit of trophies. In modern times, trophy hunting persists and is, in some areas, a significant industry.

Although, trophy hunting is most often criticised when it involves rare or endangered animals. Opponents may also see trophy hunting as an issue of morality or animal cruelty, criticising the killing of living creatures for recreation. Advocates of trophy hunting disagree, saying that modern regulations explicitly address issues of unnecessary harassment and that the vast majority of the edible portions of the prey animal are consumed by hunters themselves or are given to local inhabitants for use in traditional ways.

There is also debate about the extent to which trophy hunting benefits the local economy. Hunters argue that fees paid contribute to the local economy and provide value to animals that would otherwise be seen as competition for grazing, livestock, and crops. This analysis is, however, disputed by opponents of trophy hunting. Some argue whether the prey animals are worth more to the community dead, in the form of hunting, or alive, in the form of ecotourism.