I have been thinking of how I want to build my future house/trophy room on my future ranch. I might only be 18, but I've got big goals. I would like to build a 10,000 sq. ft. one story house with 12 ft. cielings throughout on my future ranch, which will hopefully be 5,000+ acres somewhere in either the Northeastern part of South Texas (around Choke Canyon Lake) or in the Post Oak Savannah of Texas (between College Station and Waco). Nearly half (4,900 sq. ft.) of the house will be trophy room. Before you have a heart attack, please hear me out. I would like the "main room" to be 70'x40' (2,800 sq. ft.) with 24 ft. cielings. One end of the room would be for Texas trophies and the other end for African trophies. They would meet and mix in the middle. There would be 2-3 large "scenes" (i.e.-fake pond, small rock mountain, etc...) on the floor of the room with some elaborate lifesize mounts. Then I would have 3 additional rooms, each measuring 35'x20' (700 sq. ft.) with 16' cielings, attached to the "main room". One of these would be on the far end of the "main room" (you enter the "main room" on the other end). Then, the other 2 rooms would be on the sides of the "main room" (one on each side). The entrances to these rooms would each be 10' wide with the tops being arched and would just be open to the "main room" with no doors. Each of these 3 rooms would have it's own theme: one would be "South America", one "South Pacific", and one "Europe/Asia" (or "Eurasia"). Now granted, I'm not even going on my first safari until next summer (we are going to Namibia for 21 days), but I have no doubt I will accomplish this goal some day (hopefully before I'm 40). So, what are y'alls thoughts on this design? Any comments, suggestions, criticisms, etc...?

Ah, to be young again, and a dreamer. Don't let anyone get in the way of your dreams. What you dream, you can do. Good luck.

I’ve always said that if you’re gonna dream…dream BIG! I reckon your plan qualifies.

The She-Wolf and I are making initial plans to retire back home to Texas in a few years and are looking at property options now before land prices become anymore insane than they already are. We’ll be facing similar decisions about building our retirement place (although on nothing near the scale you plan)!

The great room in our present place has 18’ceilings at the highest point and you’d be surprised how much heat can accumulate. Since heat and long term trophy care are pretty well mutually exclusive, you’ll have to keep that upper air cooler and that won’t be cheap considering Texas summers. That said, if you can manage to afford 5000 acres of Texas real estate, along with a palatial home with an energy footprint that would make Al Gore blush, what’s a few measly thousand kilowatt hours of electricity?

The layout you describe sounds very interesting. I’m seeing polished hardwood floors, natural limestone walls with heavy exposed beam ceilings…no, wait…that’s MY dream place!

Heck, if you can make all this happen in a few years, how’d you feel about hiring a crusty retired member of the International Society of Oilfield Trash to do a little light gun-bearing for you?

Seriously, set your goals as high as you wish…then let others be amazed when they come true!

Mark

Eland,

Hope you plan on going to a good college so you can study something that will make you lots of money. You'll need it! -TONY

Outdoor Writer,

I am currenly ending my Freshman year at Sam Houston State University. I'll be a Sophomore next year and I actually just registered for my Fall classes yesterday morning. I am majoring in General Business. My dad and I are getting ready to start a commercial real estate development company together very soon, hopefully within the next year. We already own a few pieces of commercial property near our home, so we already have the ball rolling. I'll be sure and post pictures on AR in 15-20 years when my trophy room is complete. It might still be rather empty though . I've got some ideas for some African mounts around the fake waterhole. I want to get a LIFESIZE Giraffe mounted with his front legs spread out and his head down drinking at the "waterhole", along with a croc and hippo in the water. Then, maybe a small herd of 3-4 lifesize Impala drinking. However, if for some reason I could only mount one animal lifesize, it would be a HUGE old "blue bull" Eland.

I reccomend you stay away from the Military. Not that I haven't enjoyed my service during these 13 glorious years, but it doesn't pay enough to finance dreams like that!

D99,

You are correct. I don't have any plans that involve me enlisting in the military, but I consider myself patriotic and I am always in 100% full support for our troops. I think it's ridiculous not to support our troops, whether you support the war or not. It doesn't matter what our troops are doing or where they are, we should always support them. Just my $0.02

I am currently building a house with a trophy room that has 14 foot ceilings, and I am sure that is high enough. If you think you want 24, go find a warehouse with 24 foot ceilings and see imagine mounts that high. IMO, too high to display them properly.

As for the military, I am a military veteran and now own my own business. The Army provided lots of time in physically and mentally stressful situations that has no doubt at least contributed to my success in business.

I am sure you are a patriot Eland Slayer. Just not as much of one as your peers who enlisted. But positive support our troops is always appreciated.

Eland Slayer,

I would say you are patriotic, not a patriot.

When you have spent time fighting in the war on terror, rescuing people from burning houses, or working the beat as a police officer I would call you a patriot.

The honor of serving your country when the chips are down, is something I think everyone should have.

Spend 9 months of a 6 months cruise (yes I wrote that right) launching sorties from the flight deck of a carrier (worlds most dangerous enviroment), a year on the DMZ in Korea, 12 months in Iraq or Afghanistan or Bosnia, or Kosovo, and you will understand what freedom is, and what it takes to get it.

Your a true blue American Eland Slayer, but a patriot is not the right world.

Well Spoken PR1.

Only those who have left their friends and family behind to go into harm's way to protect their very way of life can be called patriots. You never will know how much freedom we enjoy in the USA until you have spent time elsewhere seeing how the rest the world lives. To put your life on the line for others is the greatest of honors possible.

I will never get rich in the military, but I will always know that I have honestly tried to make a difference. Sometimes I have succeeded and sometimes I have failed, but I have always tried my best and I'm grateful that my country has allowed me to serve it for over 20 years.

I will stand the watch and I will patrol the zone so that others may enjoy their freedoms and when finally retired, I will then look to my own interests. Right now, I will put the rest the country first.

Eland Slayer, that is what being a patriot is about, not how big a house or how big a trophy room you want or how much support you give the troops. If you want to be a patriot, leave that stuff behind and come with me while we defend this great nation.

Mac. Chief Petty Officer US NAvy

Hang on, I didn't mean to upset anybody. I guess I didn't realize there was a difference in being a patriot and being patriotic. My mistake. I have edited my post above to make it more appropriate.

MAC,

I appreciate what you do for our country, but I DON'T appreciate the critisism. Please don't look down on me for not being in the military. I never suggested that having a big house or a big trophy room makes one a patriot, so please don't put those words in my mouth.

Now, I'd appreciate it if we could get back to my original topic: What are everybody's thoughts on my design for this trophy room?

Sounds quite impressive! My suggestion would be to get as many of the "Trophy Rooms of the World", and "Great Hunters" series of books that you can get your hands on and see what others have done. Personally, I find the most attractive trophy rooms are the ones that don't look like museums full of every possible species of animals, but tastefully decorated homes that are complimented with a select group of quality trophies. You will probably have both hunters and non hunters visiting your home, your plan could very well overwhelm a non hunter. Why not form your own personal museum in the area, and display some of your trophies there? Then display your best trophies in your home. The big 5 displayed in the great room, your grand slam of sheep in another, your Marco Polo sheep mounted lifesize in another room as the only mount and focal point, surrounded by attractive furnishing and a few artifacts and artwork to complement everything. My first step would be to contract with the best interior decorator, designer you can find, who has had some experience in designing rooms that contain trophies.

quote:

Originally posted by Eland Slayer:
Hang on, I didn't mean to upset anybody. I guess I didn't realize there was a difference in being a patriot and being patriotic. My mistake. I have edited my post above to make it more appropriate.

MAC,

I appreciate what you do for our country, but I DON'T appreciate the critisism. Please don't look down on me for not being in the military. I never suggested that having a big house or a big trophy room makes one a patriot, so please don't put those words in my mouth.

Now, I'd appreciate it if we could get back to my original topic: What are everybody's thoughts on my design for this trophy room?

Eland Slayer:

Perhaps I can put things into perspective for you. You post grand plans of life filled with hunting. A member who is serving makes a comment that those things will never be a part of his life, because he does not make that kind of money. Your comment sort of comes off to me like this: "Hell, I am not going to join the military - it would have an adverse impact on the fun I am planning on having. Do I look stupid? But hey, keep defending freedom: I appreciate it."

Well, that fun you plan on having is the DIRECT result of the personal sacrifice of those who have served. I didn't make the Army a career - I only served 7 years. But there are those out there who have devoted their entire lives (literally) because they have a concept of duty.

There is a guy on here who has hunted a bunch of elephants. On one of his posts he derided military members, basically insuating they were idiots for doing so much for so little - and how he made his first million before age X. Well, I got news for you: I personally could care less how rich or how many elephants anyone kills. I honest to god respect guys like Mac and D99 a lot more than a rich guy who can't spell any better than a 4 year old and who thumbs his nose at those who serve.

There is a huge difference between those whose lives you might envy and those you respect. One is sinful; the other is not.

quote:

There is a guy on here who has hunted a bunch of elephants. On one of his posts he derided military members, basically insuating they were idiots for doing so much for so little

OK, John;NAMES! I'll just add him to my list

All kidding aside, at least to me the Navy and naval aviation was something I've always wanted to do. The money never even entered my mind and that's the truth. Sure, there was an element of duty involved, but what I have experienced I wouldn't trade. And some were even prudent enough to invest wisely and/or prioritize thinds in life. There are a few of my contemporaries that did in fact hit the "million dollar club". As I head for retirement after 30 years of service, I know I'll find a way to make a living to do the things I want to do in life.

Oh I just read the next to last phrase of your post. Got it. Well, I look at it this way, all that money can't buy him taste, class, dignity and the great feeling that I've enjoyed in that I made a difference. Like General Patton said, it's better than shoveling shit in Louisiana.

I bet his furniture's covered in platic anyway jorge

PS: Eland Slayer. no offense taken. What you said's ok by me

Eland Slayer -- you're just fine and I envy your drive at such a young age. Good luck!!! If you haven't bought one of the Trophy Rooms books from Safari Press, you ought to. Lots of good ideas in there.

I've got 23 years in the military...so far...but with a break-in-service between enlisted and officer time so I can't retire until next year. I'll stay until it becomes clear I'll never lead troops again...and then I'll hang up my spurs.

Not everyone needs to join the military to serve their country.

Eland Slayer:

I just went out for a 4 mile run, and was thinking...you are only 18. But then there are plenty of 18 year olds who died at that age. Some very recently.

But I thought, you know, if you get that ranch, do us a favor: invite some soldiers, soldiers, marines, even sailors if you must, to come hunt.

I have a small bit of land in Colorado. While it has plenty of elk shit on it, it isn't good for hunting. But it does have access to national forest. And I have posted several times in the past that any military member can hunt or camp on it. It is a beautiful place.

Another worthy cause when you are filthy rich is to contribute to Hunts of a Lifetime.

Jorge: Funny, I am in Louisiana. Tomorrow I shovel hit. Just got here. Hot and muggy, just like FL. Last week I was in Norfolk. Can you get me a tour of a Nimitz class carrier when I go back in May?

AnotherAZWriter,

It's funny that you brought that up about inviting soldiers to the ranch. My dad and I have talked a lot about that very same thing. We plan on having several hunts every year for soldiers and kids who are terminally ill.

If you ever get a chance, watch the few episodes of The Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters on the Men's Channel where they do a military appreciation hunt. There's a guy named Terry Johnson that owns a ranch out near San Angelo that invites a group of recently wounded soldiers from Iraq and Afganistan to go on a hunt. They have a big banquet with Governor Rick Perry, Gen. Leroy Sisco, and several others. Each soldier is given a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in .300 WSM with a nice scope (these guns are given to them, not just loaned) to hunt with.

In August of 2005, Keith Warren (host of 2 shows on the Outdoor Channel) put on the 1st annual "Sportsmen Saying Thanks" barbeque. It's just a good old fashion barbeque at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio where hunters and fishermen get together and serve lunch to a bunch of soldiers who have been injured in Iraq and Afghanistan. My dad and I both went to serve lunch and show our appreciation. I can't describe the feeling I had, and the soldiers were unbelievably grateful. We meant to go to the 2nd lunch last year, but they moved it up from August to May and we missed it accidentally. However, we do plan on going to the next one. I encourage everyone else to do so as well.

I look up to people like Terry Johnson, Gen. Leroy Sisco, Ted Nugent, Keith Warren, and Tom Malouf who are willing to share our sport with soldiers and kids with life threatening diseases.

I usually try not to care about what anybody thinks of me. But I always try my damndest to let people know that I'm not just some pot smoking slacker like a lot of other guys my age are. So, I hope no one on AR thinks that about me. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the people in our armed forces and all our veterans (by the way, my dad is a veteran of the U.S. Army). Good hunting and God bless.

Hey John. PM sent. I thinnk I might be able to set you up. jorge

Nimitz is on cruise!

I stand the watch for glory, and duty, and because I have had the full-on privlidge of leading men into combat and putting my name on something that someone flew into combat.

Standing the watch means sacrifice.

"even sailor if you must" Bastard, I know where that was directed!

quote:

Can you get me a tour of a Nimitz class carrier

"class" being the operative word. We have ten of those with Enterprise (CVN 65) and Kitty Hawk (CV 63) the only ones left that are not CVN 68 (NIMITZ) class and Kitty Hawk being the lat conventional (no nuclear powered CV). We decomissioned John F. Kennedy (CV 67) last week in Mayport. D99, THANKS for your sacrifice. Without you guys we couldn't get it done! jorge

Jorge,

That $1,000,000,000 Martin Baker seat your in for your "warrior" pose probably touched my hands. I have been in long enough to see a ton of those things.

Yeah I have a few MB deat time under my butt but mostly ESCAPACS in the Viking. jorge

Eland,
I'm currently serving my first tour with the Marine Corps and just a few years ago I had dreams quite like yours. It just so happens that I reached a fork in the road and made a decision I would never again have the chance to make, so I definetly understand what you mean. Continue on with those dreams of yours, just remember, if you can dream it up it can be done.

Geoff

OOORAH!!!

That S-3 was the worst thing in the world to be standing behind on goes. I remember working the "street" getting my prowlers ready and they parked 2 or 3 damn S3s burning on us.

The F14 may have been hot, but at least you could breath.

That damn F18 is horrible though. Hot and no air.

At least the F14 you had air.

Then again, they always stuck prowlers in the street. I can only remember a couple of good bow launches.

Eland,

Interesting concept, the one level house with the main room allowing for off shoot rooms with various continent themes. Id say it sounds like an interresting but good look.