Before you go any further - know that this not a sequel to any of the bitching and moaning threads currently monopolizing this forum.
I am merely looking for some information on a group of sportsmen known as the outer circle, I think? It is a group that hunts mainly animals that are not actual R&W/SCI trophy quality. They look for animals with deformed (or missing one of two) horns, tusks, etc. After my trip to Zim and my elephant, along with the deer I shot this past season, I think I might qualify. Thanks in advance for any useful information.

Brian

I used to take that approach at the officer's club on Friday nights. It was much more efficient than competing for the hot chicks.

lawndart

I have heard of it, I think it is mostly European hunters that go for unusual trophies. One horned buff, scrum caps, 1x6 elk, etc.

If so Saeed qualifies in spades, as for several years it seemed he shot buff with only one good side.

Gentlemen,

I think the first time I have heard the term "outer circle" was the first time I shot an elephant with one tusk. Then followed that with a warthog with one tusk.

Roy Vincent, my long time friend and PH, said we should start this new trophy classification, in answer to what SCI classifies as the "inner circle".

I am afraid I am not much of a trophy hunter. I go hunt to enjoy the hunt for what it is. Sharing a good campfire with friends and enjoying a good laugh at the days events is more important to me than the bragging rights of shooting a big trophy.

In fact, on a number of occassions, I prefer that my friends shoot the better trophy than myself.


If there is enough interest, I will be happy to set up a seperate page here to display the photos of those who wish to show their outer circle animals.

As Don_G has mentioned, this is a common approach to game management in Europe. The idea is that it is preferable to get the genetically odd out of the gene pool, leaving the well formed animals as reproducers for as long as possible. Taking a deformed or bizarre trophy is an indication that you hunt, at least partly, with a desire to keep the superior trophies in the gene pool. It has its merits.

quote:

I am afraid I am not much of a trophy hunter. I go hunt to enjoy the hunt for what it is. Sharing a good campfire with friends and enjoying a good laugh at the days events is more important to me than the bragging rights of shooting a big trophy.

In fact, on a number of occassions, I prefer that my friends shoot the better trophy than myself.

That says it for me also!

I shot a one horned Steenbuck. I think that qualifies as outer circle.

Saeed,
I think setting up a forum for this would be a great idea. Thank you. We can have our own "outer circle" here on AR. I agree, trophies are nice, but the thrill is not in looking at it after it has fallen. The thrill is in the chase. At this point I can barely afford the hunting, so no money will be wasted (least not on my end) shipping trophies. Hell, that can cost almost as much as the hunt itself. Besides, A great man once said, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Brian

I know on a few safaris my PH would see a animal with one horn or a deformed one. He would say, I hope I see him when my european clients come over, they love getting "different" looking trophies. So there is some truth to that.

I think a fourm for the "Outer Circle" would be great! There is nothing like shooting a big trophy that makes the book, but to me the hunt is the most important part, and the memorys no matter what you get, is the hunt!

I know where one could get a very odd and very big waterbuck bull. He's at least 30 inches if not more and sports a very bizzare set of horns! It was too dark to get a good photo from my cheapy digital camera.

Sounds like Ann may have the first entry in the new book!

"The Outer Circle"


Is this a science fiction?

On one of my safari's I talked to a PH that said his German and Austrian clients were real big on oddities. He had a one horned sable that two brothers practically got in a fight to shoot. Another client was practically dancing after he shot a one horned kudu. The PH also said they had a real strong inclination to shoot anything old regardless of trophy size. He showed me a picture of an ancient eland that has worn its horns down to less than six inches.