Been to Africa several times, and value the experience greatly.
I always bring something back, however, in addition to photos and memories- sometimes just a hide, or skull and horns, but often shoulder mount and full mount materials.
Some animals, like a monster Sable, or Kudu, or Waterbuck, etc., just deserve to be preserved. They provide an endless source of conversation about past hunts and experiences with friends, acquaintances, and family members who visit our home.
There's no getting around the expense, though- the last safari to SA resulted in $3100 for dip, crate, and ship etc. costs, and another $6000 to the taxidermist for a mix of full-body, shoulder, and European mounts.
It was, however, probably our last trip to Africa, and most of my future hunt plans are more meat hunts than anything else, here in the US.
