Trophy Room Build after 45 years of hunting

JES Adventures

AH elite
Joined
Mar 7, 2015
Messages
1,488
Reaction score
6,952
Location
Texas
Website
ranchinvestments.com
Deals & offers
1
Media
312
Articles
2
Hunting reports
Africa
19
USA/Canada
9
Mex/S.Amer
1
Europe
2
Asia/M.East
1
Member of
Life Member of SCI, DSC, GSCO, HSC, NRA and FNAWS
Hunted
Botswana, Cameroon, CAR, Chad, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, RSA, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. US, Canada, Arctic, Mexico, Argentina, Austria, France, Spain, Portugal, U.K., Romania, Tadjikistan, Turkey, Nepal, China, Australia and New Zealand
I am about to turn 60 and for once in my life, the species hunted from my adventures past will all be housed in one building. The plan started formulating in mid 2022 after I purchased the Reserve Ranch in South Texas as this would be the appropriate place to display the collection. I have been very Blessed to hunt some amazing places over the past five decades and look forward to reminiscing about the past with family, friends and guests at the ranch.

My friend Gustavo Arredondo from San Antonio is a gifted architect, and he designed the addition to flow into the current construction of the lodge compound so not to look like an afterthought. Gustavo specializes in designing trophy rooms as well as houses built around trophy rooms and has worked with Julian and Sons over the years on many projects across the United States.

I'll post some pictures as the project progresses; the plan is to be finished by August.
 
After the site work was completed, we poured the foundation in late August.
IMG_2142.jpeg

IMG_2146.jpeg
IMG_2147.jpeg
 
Once the concrete cured the framers started and made good time.
IMG_2717.jpeg
IMG_2719.jpeg
IMG_2480.jpeg
 
Then it took a turn for the worse. A freak storm out of the Northeast late one afternoon at the end of September and we were set back. Two of the walls blown down and a half dozen roof trusses ruined.
IMG_2585.jpeg
IMG_5221.jpeg
IMG_5222.jpeg
 
Bummer on the walls blowing down during the storm, I imagine you are well on the way towards completion though by now. That looks like it will be one big trophy room! Can't wait to see more and as Mort said, it is almost as exciting as building my own!
 
Thank you for sharing. Perservere through the hiccups. Looking forward to enjoying the journey with you. John
 
Following with interest. Sorry to see the storm damage.
 
Now that’s a proper Trophy “Room”!!
What’s the finished square footage??
 
This is superb!

I built mine before I ever went to Africa, and it is now, way too small.



I am having to cull smaller stuff to make room for larger trophies. At least I have a "hobby room" upstairs, to put things that have to be purged from "The Trophy Room" aka "my study", downstairs.





I built my house 24 years ago, and the Good Lord has blessed me with many wonderful opportunities since.

I don't think I will ever move again, but if I have to, the "Trophy Room/Study" will grow significantly.
 
John,

Congratulations on your purchase and construction of your trophy room. We just bought a property south of Tyler, we close this Tuesday, meeting with a builder Wednesday to discuss location/construction of my trophy room.

May I ask why you chose wood vs steel?

What additions are you planning? I am adding wet bar, walk in humidor, and gun vault.
 
This is going to be neat and something to be seen very nice of you sharing this.
 
Looks like quite the trophy room. I’m curious, why wood framing?
I went with wood framing as the existing structure I tied in to (four car garage) was wood frame so wanted to maintain the consistency.
 
Do you have any aerial photos of the site or footprint? Is your design finished or are you working through any details?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
61,910
Messages
1,357,943
Members
117,411
Latest member
Walkercindys
 

 

 

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

crossfire3006 wrote on JoninCO's profile.
Had an excellent classifieds transaction with JoninCO. A truly honest and standup member. I wouldn't hesitate at all to deal with him again. Thanks, J!
Francois R wrote on Lance Hopper's profile.
Hi Lance, Hope you well. I collect Mauser rifles and they are very much part of my cultural history in Africa. Would you consider selling the rifle now a year on ? I'd like to place it in my collection of Mauser rifles. Many thx
Cooper65 wrote on Rockwall205's profile.
I saw where you hunted elephant with backcountry safaris in Zimbabwe.
Was looking to book an elephant hunt and wanted to know how your hunt went
and if you would recommend them.

Thanks
Mike
hi, do you know about lions hunters, leopard hunters, and crocodiles hunters of years 1930s-1950s
I'm new to Africa Hunting. I would like to purchase a Heym 450-400 double rifle. I'm left-handed but would prefer a non-canted gun. Is anyone in the community considering parting with theirs?
 
Top