Some state associations do a much better job than others on PR. If I was looking for one, I'd have PA at the top of my list.

[/quote I hate to be that guy ...but , PR goldmine !! [/quote]

You got that right. It's a volunteer position, if done right is a lot of work. Maybe if just ONE person in need (cancer survivor, Veteran, Native American, etc.) per state were vetted, that would be less than 50 hats, gloves or whatever as a start. The PR Director could do an article and get a picture for Facebook, newspaper or some other media.

Pa. Trappers Association (PTA) and some Pa. District Associations accept donated fur for many, many years.
Every year, PTA gives Miss Pennsylvania & Miss Teen Pennsylvania a Fur Coat.
Donated fur to PTA is used for funding the making or purchase of these fur coats.
Also, donated fur is used for making fur Teddy Bears, Ear Muffs and other fur garments. These items are used as State or District fund raisers or raffle prizes.
As you see this process, donated fur is recycled to cash. In turn, this cash helps fund trapper training schools, donations to other associations, on going furbearer & trapping education, promote trapping & fur garments and so on.
yotetrapper30, thanks for the kind words about the PTA.

yotetrapper30Some state associations do a much better job than others on PR. If I was looking for one, I'd have PA at the top of my list.
winner winner chicken dinner.
You Know of course that Phil Nichols was origionaly from PA and is the past PR chairman for the PTA?

pick65

Nope, I had no idea who Phil Nichols is.

Has anyone called Moyles and run this by them?

I have to question if 2 (poor) kids are the only ones wearing fur hats to school is a possibility. Peer pressure. They may not wear them no matter how cold it is. Anyone that lives or works near a school knows first hand that kids are under dressed going to and from school. Half of them don't wear the proper clothes even when they may be available to them. Even when walking to school,
in western NY, in the winter.

I am not trying to burst a bubble. But, I don't think a tannery would like to tan, lets say a couple thousand pelts for free and pay shipping on them back. They already have a 7 month turnaround on tanning. Feel good tax right offs are nice if you would be paying that amount in taxes anyhow, or are mega wealthy.

I do like the fact that trappers are trying to work on the fur price slump.

Someone probably already suggested it. But, the only real fix is supply and demand. Stop producing an unwanted product. Focus on producing products in demand. Coyote, Red Fox, and Bobcat.

Trap the other species as nuisance species and expect payment for trapping them. People will start to get the idea of payment if no one is willing to trap and consistently loose money doing it. All the "Big Boys" that most trappers admire and aspire to be like are not making there living off fur. They get paid for services they provide and have many side lines. People will and do pay for animal removal. And when it gets to the point that a wife demands it done, it will happen. Trappers need to learn how to market themselves more and the fur less.

Let the fur market dry up and it will come back around in a couple years. Instead of 7-10 years. And I know no one wants to hear this.

Alot of valid info above- even the Debbie Downers have their value!

Someone want to refer me to whom I should speak with at the PTA? I'll get the rest started and get back when I have some experience...

Here is what you need
Barry Warner

prdirector@patrappers.com

pick65

So what happened with this?

I would rather see our own USA or Canada people recieve fur items to stay warm. We have plenty of poor people here.
I would think fur lined coats would really help the homeless Vets and Poor homeless people here at home.
I`m not much for giving other countrys that hate us and want us dead anything.

Exactly.

Go back and read my post about donating fur to your State Trappers Association to actually get some good from "Giving Away Fur".

You are correct, but I just think that way is not the ONLY way. There is nothing wrong with floating a few ideas out there to see what shakes out.

Beagle, that tanned dog in the pic may be pushing things! Great ideas, but be patient folks, this kinda stuff takes time to shake out!

HAd to dig this one out of the cellar for an update. To recap- I'd like to put together a nonprofit- or partner with an existing organization to put fur on people. That said in my mind hats on people affected by anything that causes hairloss (cancer) would be an ideal outcome on more levels than I can explain. I have been working with several different manufactures and I think I've got that end of the supply chain figured out. Anyone want to help with the distribution? So far I have only had 14 or so hats made- I put 2 in a recent charity auction and they brought a good price! I have a dozen or so that I will probably give a few away as gifts but would be glad to donate the rest- if I could find the right aceptees so to speak. I plan to have many more of these made (but I have to go catch some more fur first).

Are you making them kids size too?

That would be no problem

Nice

Awesome. I know the kids at the Ronald McDonald houses here and in ny would love some. I'll see what and how much I catch and will be happy to donate some fur

ttt
Beaglador, do you want to weigh in on this?

pick65