There’s something about a first hunt that sticks with you forever. Ask any hunter, and they can tell you about their first deer, first elk, first long sit in the cold waiting for something to move. The details blur over time, but the memory doesn’t.

That’s one of the things I love about Trophy Territory at the Big Horn Show. Every rack on the wall has a story behind it. Some are fresh from this year’s season. Others have been hanging in someone’s living room for decades, finally dusted off and brought in. It’s not just about the antlers, it’s about the stories, the lessons, and who you shared them with.

The “Firsts” Matter Most

When I walk through Trophy Territory, it’s the youth entries that always grabs my attention. It’s not because they’re the biggest (they usually aren’t). It’s because they represent a first chapter. The grin on a young hunter’s face when they’re standing next to that mount says it all: I did it.

And behind them, you can almost always see a proud parent or grandparent who’s just as thrilled, not because of the trophy itself, but because they had the chance to pass something down. Knowledge. Skills. Respect for the hunt. Those are the real trophies.

It’s Not Just About “This Season”

One of the best things about Trophy Territory is that you don’t have to bring in a fresh harvest to participate. We welcome trophies from years past, too.

Why? Because a mount that’s been on your wall for 20 years is more than just a decoration. It’s part of your family’s story. Maybe it’s the deer you got with your dad the first time he let you hunt solo. Or the bull elk you still brag about (and your buddies are tired of hearing about). Those belong here every bit as much as this year’s harvest.

A Tradition That Still Matters

Let’s be honest: the world has changed and so has hunting. Fewer kids are growing up in hunting families. More shows have disappeared or downsized. Trophy Territory has stayed strong because it taps into something people still crave; community & connection not only with others, but with the outdoors and a heritage that goes back hundreds, thousands of years.

For me, that’s the heartbeat of the Big Horn Show. It’s not just a bunch of trophy mounts lined up in rows. It’s the stories behind them. It’s the conversations that start because someone stops to point at a rack and say, “Let me tell you about this one…”

Join Us This Year

So, whether you’ve got a trophy from this season or one that’s been hanging for years, bring it to Trophy Territory. Show it off. Share the story. Let the next generation see that hunting is about more than racks and scores, it’s about time together, lessons learned, and memories that last.

Because someday, that kid standing proudly with their first buck will be the one passing the torch. And that’s a tradition worth keeping alive.