Pick Your Poison: The World’s Most Shocking Trophy Hunter Awards
From the ‘African Big Five’ to the ‘Global Slaughter Slam’,
see what it takes to win in the world of trophy hunting.
The Trophy Trail: How Far Will They Go?
How many animals must die for a trophy?
For some, a single lion or elephant isn’t enough. These awards demand dozens – sometimes hundreds – of kills, spanning continents and species. From ‘starter’ prizes for shooting 15 animals, to elite “Inner Circle” awards requiring over 100 different species, the path to trophy hunting glory is paved with staggering body counts and ever-escalating challenges.
Each level unlocks new demands:
More species. Rarer animals. Deadlier weapons.
For the industry’s most decorated “champions,” the numbers are as shocking as the animals are iconic.
What Does It Take to Win?
African Big Five
African Big Five
5
Notable Species Included:
Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Rhino, Buffalo
Global Hunting Achievement Diamond
Global Hunting Achievement Diamond
125
Notable Species Included:
Elephants, Rhinos, Big Cats, Antelopes
Grand Slam Africa 29
Grand Slam Africa 29
29
Notable Species Included:
29 African species
Inner Circle Animals of Africa Gold
Inner Circle Animals of Africa Gold
16
Notable Species Included:
Lions, Elephants, Hippos, Hyenas, Buffalo
Grand Slam Cats of the World
Grand Slam Cats of the World
4
Notable Species Included:
Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar
Wild Turkey Milestone
Wild Turkey Milestone
5 (3 if killed with bow)
Notable Species Included:
Osceola, Rio Grande, Merriam’s, Gould’s
Animals of Europe
Animals of Europe
16 (8 if killed with bow)
Notable Species Included:
Reindeer, European Bison, Brown Bear, Red Deer
Multiple Methods
Multiple Methods
24
4 methods must be used: Muzzleloader; Handgun; Bow/Crossbow; Rifle/Shotgun. 6 species required from 4 methods
Animals of Asia
Animals of Asia
15 (6 if killed with bow)
Notable Species Included:
Brown Bear, Leopard, Wild Boar
Predators of the World
Predators of the World
15 (8 if killed with bow)
Notable Species Included:
Cougar, Wolf, Polar Bear, Black Bear
"I got my elephant - f***ing crazy.
I cried when I shot him.”
“I shot a hippo to use as bait
for my second leopard.”
We shot 36 or 37 animals during the hunt -
including giraffes and buffaloes.”
Behind the Awards: What’s at Stake?
Every trophy, every plaque, every “achievement” in the world of trophy hunting comes with a hidden cost –
and the numbers are staggering.
Kill Requirements and Scale:
To win SCI’s major awards, hunters must kill large numbers of animals – for the ‘World Conservation and Hunting Award’ alone up to 537 animals across all continents must die.
Over 300 SCI members have each killed at least 100 large animals to achieve Gold or Diamond awards, totalling over 30,000 animals killed by this elite group alone.
Species Targeted:
Awards require killing endangered and threatened species: lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, giraffes, and rare antelopes.
Some awards are for killing multiple types of the same animal (e.g., 5 bear species, 4 wild sheep, 4 wild cats).
Disinformation Campaigns: At least $1.2 million has been spent on covert social media operations to block trophy hunting bans
Financial Cost:
Each award costs thousands of dollars in entry fees, plaques, and event attendance.
Hunters pay for recognition in annual publications, plaques, and “Oscar-style” award ceremonies.
Top hunters spend a small fortune to win multiple awards.
Industry Impact:
The awards system generates significant revenue for Safari Club International (SCI), funding lobbying and legal efforts to keep trophy hunting legal and expand hunting rights.
SCI has spent $140 million on lobbying, including campaigns to strip protections from endangered species and influence wildlife laws.
SCI’s “Hunter Legacy 100 Fund” was launched by 100 members each contributing $100,000—raising at least $10 million for campaigns and influence operations
Conservation Consequences:
Lion numbers have dropped by up to 95% in 50 years, while giraffe populations have also collapsed. SCI has fought to keep these and other threatened animals huntable, even doubling quotas for critically endangered black rhinos.
Trophy hunting is linked to population declines in targeted species, with scientific studies and IUCN reports showing negative impacts.
Political Influence:
SCI operates one of the largest political action committees in the US, funnelling millions to politicians to advance hunting interests.
SCI and its donors have close ties to the oil and gas industry, sharing a goal of weakening wildlife and habitat protections.
Social and Cultural Reach:
SCI encourages children and families to participate, with awards for young hunters and educational programs promoting trophy hunting.
The organisation runs a museum and school programs, aiming to normalize and celebrate killing wildlife for sport.
Every award represents not just a personal achievement, but a measurable toll on wildlife populations, conservation efforts, and the global fight to protect endangered species.
Join the Fight:
The Stories Behind the Stats
Dig deeper and read the latest blog posts about
And Your Winners Are...
Meet the “champions” of the world’s most shocking trophy hunting awards. These are not just names – they are the faces behind some of the most disturbing records in the industry. Each “winner” has claimed their place by killing staggering numbers of animals, including some of the world’s rarest and most iconic species. This is the grim reality behind these so-called achievements.
Malcolm King: The 650+ Kill King
A retired property developer, King has killed as many as 650 animals, including dozens of endangered species across five continents.
Abigail Day: The World’s Top Female Hunter
When she’s not shotting some of the largest elephants and lions ever shot by a trophy hunter – Day is living in London working as a lawyer.
Ricky Clark: The Macabre Collector
Outside of his creepy corpse infested lair, you might recognise Clark from the BBC’s The Rat Pack.
