Are you a "head propper upper"?

[Lawnboy]

Today while in town I saw a young man sitting in one of those Escalade truck things with a bull elk rack pushed to the back tail gate and propped up so the world wouldn't miss it. He obviously didn't get it with the wheels he was driving nor in his work uniform that he was wearing, but he was proudly displaying his kill. It was an nice 6 point 280ish. This isn't the first time I've seen animals purposely lifted up above the sides of the truck bed. Just wondering if you guys do this? I personally don't having grown up hunting with my dad who would try to cover up the rack with saddle blankets or whatever so that people at the trailhead or in town wouldn't know where and when he had got one. I personally am intrigued by the guy who has a bull big enough that while laying flat in the back of his truck has antlers arching out above the sides. I'm not saying that it's right or wrong just curious as to how many of you do this on your way back home with the animal?
Maybe I'm jelous because I haven't killed one big enough yet to show it off

 

[Randy11]

If its something I'm pretty proud of I'll make sure the rack is showing. Try not to show too much of the animal itself usually though, not too many people in Missoula wanna see blood and meat hanging out.

 

[Carl]

My truck has a cap, so it's a moot point for me. If it didn't, I wouldn't go out of my way to either show it off or cover it up.

 

[schmalts]

I try to hide anything as it is the respectful thing to do for the non-hunters.

 

[noharleyyet]

I enjoy seeing other hunter's critters being transported back to their states or even being taken to the processor or taxi locally... no matter what kind of truck. You ain't gonna appease the furhuggers no matter what you do.

Heck, I even like seein' em on the internet.

 

[cornfed]

I don't do it but I don't mind it.What I don't like is the animal that appears like it is not being taken care of properly and the result being wasted meat or at least very poor quality.

 

[Southwind]

I never gave it any thought, I don't try to hide or intentionally show off. I also am not concerned about what any non-hunter might or might not think. If someone wants to look over the side of my bed I am happy for them to look or ignore it either way.

 

[IdahoBugler]

I like to show off the rack and I like everyone else to show theirs off too. I'm proud to be a hunter and not afraid to show it. With that said I don't like seeing the whole animal exposed in the sun and not properly taken care of.

 

[duckhead59]

Im with IdahoBugler...but make sure not a bloody scene or tongue hangin out.
I dont show much of the body and always make sure the meat is well cared for...dont want to ruin those tastey backstraps!

 

[genesis273]

Absolutly, but with tact. No bloody body showing. If didn`t want anyone to see it then I would not have them mounted and displayed in my house. I have a lot of non-hunters come to my house. I don`t take them down then. Like I said, use some tact when doing it.

 

[DRAFTSTUD]

Like others I like to see a Big Ol rack in the back of a truck headed East while I'm headed West! Coming through Texas one night my buddy Wes had a 6x7 Mule Deer and I had a 4x4 Elk rack in the back of the truck on top of our stuff. We had a truck pull up and fade back, then pull up, fade back......finally I turned on the bed light, all they could do was smile and give us a big Thumbs Up. Good Times. John

 

[Layin_It_Down]

Depends on the situation I guess. If I go out on a weekend or have a pretty simple hunt, then no big deal. If I smoke a monster bull or even a cow, and spend 3 weeks like last year tromping through the woods before I finally connect, then hell ya!! I'm gonna display that badboy on the way back to town.

I drove through Billings a few years ago with a cow elk in the back of the truck that my cousin shot. He was so proud that he got an elk, that he was hanging out the window hootin' and hollarin'. (no alcohol involved) Sometimes it's just such a great feeling of accomplishment that you have to let the world know. But the feeling of being able to take such a great animal and to be able to eat meat for the next year is awesome!!! It's kind of like "Winning the big game". It's fun to hunt with and to be with folks who get so excited. My wife nearly comes to tears every time she kills an animal, she gets so excited. So when I see others display animals on their way home, I can't help but smile and be happy for their success.

 

[Elkwhisper]

My truck has a cap, so it's a moot point for me. If it didn't, I wouldn't go out of my way to either show it off or cover it up.

My pickup has a topper too........ But sometimes the critter is just to big to get that darn thing closed.:hump: I've been known to roll in from elk camp with tine or two peeking out the back. Definitley not a "proper" but I'm not affraid for people to see my prize.

Elkwhisper

 

[Layin_It_Down]

My pickup has a topper too........ But sometimes the critter is just to big to get that darn thing closed.:hump: I've been known to roll in from elk camp with tine or two peeking out the back. Definitley not a "proper" but I'm not affraid for people to see my prize.

Elkwhisper

Luck of the "French"

 

[tjones]

No way will I prop one up. I am not looking for approval, or to impress anyone.

 

[the nikster]

Not me baby!!

No way, no how would I prop one up!
I take care of the meat first, this usually requires the meat go in first while the antlers lay on the ground. Then I place the antlers where I can. If that happens to be right on top, sucks to be you!
If I cannot get the antlers under the topper (with the meat) heck yeah, I'll leave em stickin out a bit! Not intentionally, just how it happens.
I does seem that the most direct route home for me is usually right through the middle of town........................................................5 times.:hump:
And I keep track too. Elk 1 Nick 0 or Nick 1 Deer 0 or Nick 1 Dad/brother/buddy 0

That's my planet.

 

[elk_hunter]

+1, IB. I completely agree. Prop up whatever, especially if it's got horns. Definitely proud to show the racks off regardless of size.

 

[sweetnectar]

I say prop it up and slow the FPS down that you are driving so I can get a good look at it.

 

[ashersdad]

I love seeing racks while driving down the freeway. I probably got 20 thumbs up driving from Utah to Oregon two weeks ago. As long as the meat is taken care of, I think we can be proud of the animal.

 

[elk_hunter]

Nice pic, AD. BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT, you're a TEASE!! That rack should be propped up a lot more!!