Could the seals be growing velcro now?

The Marine Mammal Protection Act has been around since 1972.it is nothing new.I don't think it was truly legal to sell seal skin when we could get it.My recollection is that the only time you could buy Native harvested marine mammal parts was when it incorporated some kind of native art like scrimshaw on ivory.When I bought seal from archery suppliers,it had a machine stitch line on one edge.I think this was to get around the law and say that it was native art.I truly suspect someone put their foot down.

Purchasing wildlife parts can be tricky and there are laws,state and federal.It is legal to purchase things that were made before a ban like this,if it can be documented that it is pre-ban.

I think there are plenty of options for arrow rests and sideplates and I think a lot of options have been overlooked.The hair on the shins of many hoofed animals is slick and tough,for a reason and I bet it would make excellent rest material.Looking at a variety of animals including African,one could come up with about any hair length and color he wanted.A mountain of this stuff is discarded every year.Your local taxidermy shop might be a good place to check.

This has been ages ago, but Patrick's Fly Shop on Eastlake Ave. in Seattle had 2"x2" documented pre MMPA seal skin patches. Kinda spendy.

Uh, yeah, velcro.

My wife has a seal-fur coat that was her mother's.  Looks much different than the rest fur though it is certainly soft and shiney . . . wonder if she'd notice a 1/2" x 2" piece of hide missing?

All kinds on the auction site-including grandma's old jacket.

QuoteOriginally posted by JimB:
The Marine Mammal Protection Act has been around since 1972.it is nothing new.I don't think it was truly legal to sell seal skin when we could get it.My recollection is that the only time you could buy Native harvested marine mammal parts was when it incorporated some kind of native art like scrimshaw on ivory.When I bought seal from archery suppliers,it had a machine stitch line on one edge.I think this was to get around the law and say that it was native art.I truly suspect someone put their foot down.

Purchasing wildlife parts can be tricky and there are laws,state and federal.It is legal to purchase things that were made before a ban like this,if it can be documented that it is pre-ban.

I think there are plenty of options for arrow rests and sideplates and I think a lot of options have been overlooked.The hair on the shins of many hoofed animals is slick and tough,for a reason and I bet it would make excellent rest material.Looking at a variety of animals including African,one could come up with about any hair length and color he wanted.A mountain of this stuff is discarded every year.Your local taxidermy shop might be a good place to check.

Excellent post. I hadn't thought of that.

I was told that most seal skin rests sold here(in US) were under the radar, and many sellers didn't even know there was an issue. Even manufactured by native is not exempt according to my fur supplier. He has been in fur trading for 40 years, is world known and would not touch a piece of seal skin to save his life.
I don't think too many government employees are checking bow rests, but it really stinks that if you are caught possesing it, you are 100% responsible.

Didn't Mr. Herters - the Cabela of his day - get smashed by the Feds in the mid to late 60's for selling Jungle Cock capes to fly-tyers?  Broke his heart and spirit and he died a few years after.  Now they're legal again.

I use to buy it from Cabelas..

Stumpkiller
I think your wife wouldn't notice.. lol..

I got a whole Leopard Seal Skin off the auction site for $30 a couple years ago. I did a Giveaway Xmas before last and gave chunks to 16 TGer's. I squerriled a little away though.

I got some Nutria skin rest and side-plate material off the auction site and it's pretty good. Soft and wears well. Cheap enough too.

ahhh Im sure its for the best. they are cute lil boogers anyway.

QuoteOriginally posted by DannyBows:
I got a whole Leopard Seal Skin off the auction site for $30 a couple years ago. I did a Giveaway Xmas before last and gave chunks to 16 TGer's. I squerriled a little away though.

I got some Nutria skin rest and side-plate material off the auction site and it's pretty good. Soft and wears well. Cheap enough too.

That's good to know.
You have any skins left that I can buy off you?

St. Judes Auction has some nice pieces on #5.

I'll go check it out!