How Best To Archive The Sportsman’s Memories

It seems to me there are basically three philosophies that sportsmen seem to embrace when it comes to preserving the memories of either a hunting or a fishing trip. First, you have the exuberant sportsman who either just landed the fish-of-a-lifetime (or game animal) and within seconds after the event has already made the critical decision to tote the trophy off to the taxidermist. This person is so proud of the conquered critter that he/she will often go to extremes to display the trophy in the home. I’ve even known a few sportsmen who have designed their dens to showcase these swimming, running and flying creatures in almost a diorama-like fashion.

Then, of course, there’s the sportsman who doesn’t need a three-dimensional reminder hanging on the wall…a few pictures tucked away in a photo album or perhaps resting framed on the bookcase in the den is all that’s necessary. To this sportsman, the moment is re-lived time and time again by simply using the picture as a stimulus to unleash a flood of personal memories associated with a particular outdoor event.

Finally, then there’s the sportsman who generally has nothing to share with you but the stories. Even if they might have a few pictures they wouldn’t necessarily tell or show you…because to this sportsman the only thing that really matters about the event are the feelings they experienced during the outdoors moment. No picture, no staged critter filled with carved taxidermist foam hanging on the wall could ever adequately capture or relate to others the sheer excitement and energy of their accomplishment. Instead, to this sportsman they seemingly view the cherished memories as far too blessed to be tarnished by giving a sometimes critical friend visual ammunition that could elicit a negative comment.

As I reflect back over the years I’ve been in each of these categories at one time or another. I went through a phase in life when my wall and bookshelf looked incomplete without some fur or feathers accenting the look. My first mount was a cotton mink…absolutely worthless to fur handlers…but to a young trapper in his early teens this unusual mammal was quite a conversation piece among my friends. In future years I added a pair of mallard ducks to that collection, several trophy deer antlers and antelope horns, a handful of turkey tails with beards, etc. Nothing too extensive…but certainly enough fur and feathers to attract a good coating of dust.

Today now I have all but lost interest in taking any future kills to the taxidermist. I suppose the expense is one factor. Certainly the fact my new home and office doesn’t have any suitable wall space is another. But mostly the need to have a critter stuffed simply eludes me…I’m no longer interested. For one, I can spend the money I would otherwise spend on a mount and purchase a new gun. Indeed, I would get much more satisfaction out of that purchase…not to mention it has certain resale value unlike my trophy mount.

I have one friend who told me recently he has spent well over $20,000 in taxidermy costs…and he’s amassed this total in a matter of 15 years. When you break it down that amount seems more reasonable on an annual basis…but no matter how you view it this is some serious money being invested to accent a home or office. Consider all the Canadian fly-in fishing trips, guided elk trips out West, turkey hunts in the Black Hills (of SD), and similar adventures this money could have purchased. Forego all this in an attempt to immortalize a sporting moment and to have a tangible symbol of your vanity. To me…I’m sorry but it’s just not worth it. To others…if this sort of thing still excites you I say go for it, just be aware of your money’s opportunity cost when you plop down several hundred dollars for your next mount.

For me, pictures is where it’s really at. Obviously by doing a blog I have a need for pictures if for no other reason than to break up the monotony of my writing. Even so, I would still take plenty of pictures for my archives because images not only back up the story…sometimes, in fact, they tell the whole story better than words can ever explain.

Pseudomount Recently I came across two unusual sources that you might want to further check out if you’re ready to take your outdoorsman pictures to the next level. First, there’s CustomFish.com that will take your clean, sharp photo and possibly turn it into a true-to-life–sized picture (or larger, if you’re into that sort of thing ) and make a mount suitable for hanging on the wall. The picture is cut out in the shape of your fish and mounted on foamboard for durability in hanging. At a mere fraction of the cost of taxidermy, you can now have that same taxidermy look with a fish picture hanging over your mantle. This company does images for cars and bikes, as well…so I’m sure if you got a trophy big game animal they would be more than willing to help out.

The next source for photo fun is by a company called TrophyCards.com. This company offers some gorgeous trading cards where you send the picture of your choice and they will make a fun trading card out of it. The company has many templates from which to choose in such categories as big hunting, bird hunting, fishing, pets, sports, etc. Check them out. Next time you shoot a trophy animal hand your buddies a trading card that truly is a conversation piece…and at a mere fraction of the cost of taxidermy.

Now don’t get me wrong I’m not completely down on taxidermy. For me, it’s no longer a desired choice. And this holds true for not taking any photos, too. If I shot a nice deer and didn’t have a camera with to take some awesome field shots I would feel cheated on the experience. Just be aware there are lots of fun, cutesy things sportsmen can do with their photos…and I hope I just gave you a couple new ideas expanding your imagination in how you display outdoor memories in the future.