Macabre question on baby seal fur dubbing

[kev57]

Struck by the price being asked for baby seal fur dubbing - loads of money. It's suddenly occurred to me that the one thing we have in plenty up here - in December /January anyway - are lots of dead seal pups. There are always loads washed off the Farnes in winter storms that end up dead on the beaches and coves here - 40 plus in one cove alone in January.

So, what's the best method of taking the fur? Obviously I would have to dye it but Veniards sell dyes for just that purpose?

[3lbgrayling]

Unless there is some legality that says you cannot.If you have the bottle for it.Fill your boots

Jim

[shortea]

seems a shame to waste it- not sure if different types of seal have different tying qualities

Nick

[Ephemerella]

I don't think they are on any 'banned' lists, unlike clubbed Canadian seal products.

Was the fur still white, or had the dead pups grown on before perishing?

[kev57]

Originally Posted by Ephemerella

I don't think they are on any 'banned' lists, unlike clubbed Canadian seal products.

Was the fur still white, or had the dead pups grown on before perishing?

It's usually the newly born pups which are washed off into the seas -more than likely the offspring of inexperienced mothers. Natures brutal way of teaching an important lesson.
I dont think there are any regulations governing the corpses but I would have to find out about that. I would just have to be very careful not to upset other peoples sensibilities. I could imagine a lot of people being shocked and horrified at the idea of "mutilating" a dead seal pup. I was a mink trapper in the Hebrides for a lot of years so it wouldnt pose a problem for me personally.

[troutheaven]

I wouldn't bother yer @rse. I've had some from local seal pups and the fur is almost undubbable because its too bulky as individual fibres. Canadian seals (from which we get the fur) are fur seals - different breed, different fur.

[fredaevans]

Honestly nothing I could possible add to this thread other than to say: 'This really is an original question.' Seal fur is 'illegal' here in the US (like Polar Bear with the odd exception) so you see very little of it in use ... save for 'under the counter' importing from Canada.

Nice Mr. Officer sees same ........ Oooooo, not good! You are SOOOO TOAST!

[A. Fluker]

Originally Posted by troutheaven

I wouldn't bother yer @rse. I've had some from local seal pups and the fur is almost undubbable because its too bulky as individual fibres. Canadian seals (from which we get the fur) are fur seals - different breed, different fur.

Nothing quite like a bit of expert input.

[Ephemerella]

Originally Posted by troutheaven

Canadian seals (from which we get the fur) are fur seals - different breed, different fur.

There was me thinking it was the Harp Seal, reclassified in a new Genus Pagophilus groenlandicus "ice-lover from Greenland"; previous was Phoca groenlandica "Greenland seal" together with a number of other seal species including our common seal Phoca vitulina which of course started this thread.

Obviously I accept Stan's point that the fur isn't as good for dubbing as this baby pictured below.